ADMISSIONS POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Admissions Policy
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy (The “ISF Academy” or the “Academy”) welcomes people of all nationalities and backgrounds. We seek a talented and diverse student body to promote the robust exchange of ideas and experiences and enhance learning opportunities.
To be eligible for admissions to The ISF Academy, the following criteria must be met:
Parents / Legal Guardian
- Agree with The ISF Academy’s educational philosophy and values (The Eight Virtues + One);
- Agree to collaborate with The ISF Academy and be a part of our learning community to support their child’s learning and development;
- Agree to support and practice the ISF Community Code and the ISF Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy;
- Agree to abide by the school’s rules and regulations; and
- Reside in Hong Kong (at least one parent / legal guardian).
Applicant
- Must
- be a Hong Kong Permanent Resident, or
- have a parent / legal guardian who is employed and resides in Hong Kong with a valid work permit and the applicant has a corresponding dependent visa on his / her passport;
- Demonstrate satisfactory socio-emotional and cognitive skills (e.g. willingness to communicate, curiosity to learn, teamwork); and
- Obtain satisfactory results in the admissions assessments.
Meeting the admissions criteria does not guarantee admissions into the Academy but serves as a guide to the minimum expected requirements. Admissions into the Academy is at the sole discretion of the Academy.
Foundation Year
There are no language requirements.
Grade 1 to Grade 11
Appropriate grade-level proficiency in both Chinese (Oral in Putonghua) and English.
Foundation Year and Grade 1 applicants need to meet the minimum age requirement for the grade applied. The age range for students in each grade is typically 16 months. For example, students applying for Grade 1 would be between 5 years 8 months to 7 years on August 31 in the year of entry.
Parents whose children are born between September 1 and December 31 have the option of applying for the lower grade, or the higher grade, or both grades. For example, a child born on September 12, 2019 can submit applications for both 2025-26 Foundation Year as well as 2025-26 Grade 1. Please note that if a child is applying for both grades, then two application fees and
two assessments are required, one assessment for the lower grade and the other assessment being for the higher grade. Based on the assessments and interviews, the child will be placed in the more appropriate grade. The school DOES NOT have a preference with regards to placing a child in a lower grade or a higher grade as the school seeks to place the child in the most appropriate
grade level.
More leeway, age-wise, is permitted for students applying for Grade 2 and above.
Grade Level | Minimum Age
(by August 31, 2025) |
Local Equivalent | Program | Applicants are born between dates shown below |
Foundation Year | 4 years 8 months | Kindergarten 3 |
The ISF Academy Primary Program# |
September 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020 |
Grade 1 | 5 years 8 months | Primary 1 | September 1, 2018 and
December 31, 2019 |
|
Grade 2 | 6 years 8 months | Primary 2 | September 1, 2017 and
December 31, 2018 |
|
Grade 3 | 7 years 8 months | Primary 3 | September 1, 2016 and
December 31, 2017 |
|
Grade 4 | 8 years 8 months | Primary 4 | September 1, 2015 and
December 31, 2016 |
|
Grade 5 | 9 years 8 months | Primary 5 | September 1, 2014 and
December 31, 2015 |
|
Grade 6 | 10 years 8 months | Primary 6 |
Authorized IB World School for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) |
September 1, 2013 and
December 31, 2014 |
Grade 7 | 11 years 8 months | Form 1 | September 1, 2012 and
December 31, 2013 |
|
Grade 8 | 12 years 8 months | Form 2 | September 1, 2011 and
December 31, 2012 |
|
Grade 9 | 13 years 8 months | Form 3 | September 1, 2010 and
December 31, 2011 |
|
Grade 10 | 14 years 8 months | Form 4 | September 1, 2009 and
December 31, 2010 |
|
Grade 11 | 15 years 8 months | Form 5 | Authorized IB World School for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) | September 1, 2008 and
December 31, 2009 |
Grade 12 |
16 years 8 months |
Form 6 |
September 1, 2007 and
December 31, 2008 |
# The ISF Academy Primary Program is the school’s educational program in a bilingual immersion model that prepares our students for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes. MYP is the IB Middle Years Programme and DP is the IB Diploma Programme.
To be eligible for consideration of enrollment, every applicant must pass the admissions assessments, complete the entire admissions process, and fulfill all the admissions requirements. The ISF Academy does not guarantee admission for Capital Note nominees, siblings, children of alumni and applicants from The ISF Pre-School.
Preferential treatment relating to the admissions procedures will be given to Capital Note nominees including an early admissions assessment for Foundation Year applicants, an additional opportunity for admissions assessment, and admissions priority. Applicants who are children of alumni, or who have siblings currently studying at The ISF Academy or The ISF Pre-School, have an additional admissions assessment opportunity and those who pass the admissions assessment will also be looked upon favorably in the selection process. Please contact the Admissions Office for details of admissions-related priorities for nominees of Capital Note holders.
Voluntary withdrawal of a child, whether an existing student or an incoming student, before or during the academic year requires at least 90 days’ notice in writing and the submission of the Voluntary Withdrawal Form. The summer months of July and August are excluded from the notice period. Hence any withdrawal notice that is to take effect for a new academic year should reach The ISF Academy at registrar@isf.edu.hk before April 1, failing which the requisite tuition installment amount will be charged on a daily pro-rata basis.
ISF has not appointed or authorized any agents or third parties to represent ISF in any way in connection with admissions activities of The ISF Academy or The ISF Pre-School. Please do not liaise with any third party who asks for compensation or claims to represent ISF in the admissions application process.