Acceptance Policy
If you are considering CIS for your child's school, you are kindly asked to read the following information carefully before contacting the school.
Admission is determined by;
a) Academic and English language level relative to age, as determined by CIS entrance test and interview standards.
b) Provision of outside support for the English language or academic tutoring, if deemed necessary.
c) Reports from the previous school must include a recommendation regarding behaviour, education level and areas of growth.
d) At least one parent must be a functional English speaker who can confidently communicate with CIS teachers in English.
- Canadian International School does not have a separate ESL stream. Students are placed in a regular class according to their date of birth, and a language support team works with students as needed in Grades 1 , 2 and 3.
- Applicants to Kindergarten will attend an informal interview with KG teachers where their level of spoken English, number, letter, colour and shape recognition, and ability to print their name will be assessed. Applicants for grades K4 and K5 typically adapt daily English quickly but may require additional support. Kindergarten applicants are not expected to be fluent speakers of English but must show a willingness to study in English. Parent support is crucial for this age group, and at least one parent must be a functional English speaker who can confidently communicate with CIS teachers in English.
- Children entering Elementary School (Grades 1 to 5) are expected to have a sufficient understanding of English to communicate with their teachers and classmates. They should be able to read at or close to the appropriate grade level. The Primary Years Program (PYP) is taught alongside Canadian curriculum outcomes, and students require good verbal and written communication skills. The entrance test for Grades 1 to 5 covers English and Math skills. A CIS administrator conducts a personal interview in English with the student and their parents. If necessary, language support may be available to assist students in these lower grades upon acceptance.
- Students applying to enter Junior High School (Grades 6 to 8) are expected to have studied English in their previous schools to a level where they can understand the teacher, contribute to class discussions, ask questions and read at grade level independently. Homework is an integral part of the curriculum, and students are expected to complete research projects and solve math word problems in their own time.
- Students applying to enroll in Senior High School (Grades 9 through 12) are expected to be near fluent English speakers. The senior school curriculum is demanding, and students must have a high level of spoken and written ability and the ability to comprehend the written word. Class discussions, extensive reading of media articles and various texts, and several hours of homework each day are part of the program of studies in all academic subjects; a high level of English is, therefore, necessary. To graduate from CIS, Grade 12 students must satisfy the English language requirements of the Department of Education (Prince Edward Island, Canada). There is no language support for students in grades 9 to 12.
- CIS admits students according to age at the cut-off date of December 31st. Exceptions may be made at the principal's discretion based on English language ability, previous school reports and parents' English language level. However, parents should expect the following guide to be followed in most cases.
