Policies & Procedures

It is important that parents understand the process and policies related to the admission of students to the International School of Port of Spain.

Please read carefully our Policies and Procedures onthis page. The International School of Port of Spain's admissions policy is designed to assess whether the school can successfully meet the needs of each applicant and determine if there is appropriate space in the school.

Policies & Placement

Admission to ISPS is based on the following considerations:

The potential of the applicant to benefit from the educational program.
The capability of the school to meet the educational needs of the applicant.
The ability of the applicant to meet attendance and behavioral requirements.
Fulfilment of the school’s financial and medical requirements.

Initial Grade Placement

The International School of Port of Spain reserves the right, through its administrative and professional staff, to determine the proper placement of new students. Testing, interviews and review of all pertinent records are used to ensure that students are placed properly as students enter ISPS from many different countries with widely differing educational systems.

English Language Learning (ELL) Program
Students with Learning Differences

English Language Learning (ELL) Program

The primary language of instruction at ISPS, in all grades, is English. Students are not admitted to the school unless it is deemed that the English Language Learning (ELL) support we can provide to them is sufficient to enable them to experience success in the curriculum delivered.

English Language Learners’ (ELLs) proficiency in English will be assessed using a combination of the WIDA Language Assessment Tool, standardized tests and teacher feedback. Incoming students should demonstrate a predetermined level of English language proficiency as follows:

Pre-K to Grade 2: No English language proficiency requirements
Grades 3 to 5: WIDA Level 3 required;
Grades 6 to 10: WIDA Level 4 required
Grades 11 to 12: WIDA Level 5 required

In most cases students will be fully immersed in general education classes with additional inclusive support in the classroom. In some instances, students may be pulled out for small group or individual English language classes during the Spanish period. If a student has no English background or they do not demonstrate appropriate proficiency, it may be necessary to seek additional private instruction, at the cost of the family, in order for a student to be successful. The estimated cost of the tuition will also be communicated before the family arrives in the country, as long as it has been possible to conduct the WIDA assessments with the student. The in-house entrance and language assessments will confirm whether the additional tutoring will be necessary.

Students with Learning Differences

The Student Support Services Department at ISPS provides support for students with a range of learning differences, including those with mild challenges and the highly capable. Applicants with identified learning differences will be reviewed to determine the appropriateness of admission based on the ability of the school to meet the learning needs of the student with the resources we have available. The application for any student with a history of learning differences must include all relevant and current reports including, but not limited to, psycho-educational reports, speech language reports, occupational therapy reports, special education plans, and any other anecdotal records available.

Process and Procedures:

ISPS has a rolling admission process. Prospective parents are encouraged to start the application process in September for the following school year beginning in August.

All applications for admission are done via our PowerSchool online application system .

When a new application is received:

An acknowledgment is sent and a reminder of outstanding support documentation is listed.
Within two weeks, if necessary, a second reminder is sent
Respective schools may need to be contacted to follow up on requested recommendations

Applications are reviewed by the Admission Committee after all the required documents are received, and the in-house screen is completed. The Principal of the respective school division is a member of the Committee and signs off on the application. This will be in conjunction with Student Support Services if these services are being considered.

Students are offered placement if they have met the admission requirements and seats are available. If the student is out of the country, the acceptance may be conditional.

Admission may also be conditional if additional services are required.

Admission decisions are communicated as early as possible, however, the availability of seats is sometimes contingent on the withdrawal of current students.

Priority is given to the families of the ISPS Shareholder Companies.

Availability of Seats

The deadline for confirmation and payment of the deposit is prior to the Easter Break.
Once the availability at each grade level is determined, (usually by May), ISPS will offer qualified applicants a seat for the upcoming school year.

Wait Pool

If a grade level is at capacity, ISPS maintains a wait pool of qualified applicants. A student is placed in the wait pool only after his/her application has been reviewed and recommended by the Admission Committee.
When seats become available, candidates in the wait pool are considered in the context of one another and in accordance with the ISPS Admission Policy.

Acceptance

Once a student is accepted, the family receives an acceptance package which includes an offer for placement, tuition and fees invoice, tuition schedule, payment instructions, and registration instructions. At this point, the family is invited to register via our PowerSchool Enrollment system.
Students are enrolled upon the completion of registration and the remittance of the respective tuition fees and capital contributions.