Table of Contents Admissions Process........................................................................... 3 Guide to Year Groups......................................................................... 4 Admissions Criteria and Entry Assessments...................................... 4 English as a Secondary Language and Learning Support................. 5 Acceptance and Placement Deposit.................................................. 5 Waiting Lists....................................................................................... 5 Tuition Fees Academic Year 2013-2014............................................. 6 Additional Charges and Deposits....................................................... 6 Early Notice Payback......................................................................... 6 Payment Dates................................................................................... 6 General Conditions............................................................................ 7 Frequently Asked Questions.............................................................. 8
Admissions Process Admission to Atlantic International School is selective, and follows a clear administrative procedure which aspiring students must follow. The process is summarised in the diagram below: Complete an application form for every student
A visit to a campus will be scheduled
Assessment will be scheduled Academic records to be provided
Child is accepted
Assessment satisfactory
Parents should expect to bring
Child is not accepted
Assessment is not satisfactory
Placed on waiting list Classes full
Contracts will be signed Student is enrolled
- Academic records - Copies of student and parents passports - Medical record or certificate - Payment of deposit within 5 days In order to apply for enrolment at the school, prospective parents must submit an ONLINE APPLICATION FORM through our website www.atlanticschool.ru. This application form can be easily located on a tab that reads “Admissions�:
Admissions Information
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Those parents who are unable to fill in the online application can call the admissions office and provide the needed information over the phone directly to one of our staff. Alternatively parents can fill in the online application at the school premises with the assistance of our Administration team.
Guide to Year Groups Atlantic International School follows the Cambridge International Curriculum allocating children to year groups in exactly the same way as any school in the UK. The table below provides the age to year group placement as well as an equivalent to the IB/American System. Age as of 1st of September 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Year Group UK Pre-Nursery Nursery Reception Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13
Grade Equivalent IB/American System Toddler Pre-K Pre-K Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
Key Stage Grouping Foundation Early Years Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 3 IGCSE A and AS Level
Admissions Criteria and Entry Assessments The principal aim of the School’s admission policy is to ensure students are able to succeed academically, while contributing to school life through sports, arts and social interaction. The level of spoken and written English is a determining factor, though other factors such as standards of behaviour, work ethic and past academic achievement also play a role in the decision to accept a child or not. A visit or assessment will be scheduled with parents shortly after an application has been received. Parents should expect to bring with them past academic reports (if available), copies of student and parents passports, and signed copies of the contract the school has provided to them via email (this document can also be signed at the school). Payment of the deposit amount is also required. Depending on the key stage or year group, different entry requirements are applicable: Early Years / Foundation Stage (Ages 2 to 4): Priority will be given to students with native/ high levels of English, though at these ages more flexibility with the level required is applicable. The assessment during the visit is informal and involves an activity in a classroom setting, and some simple number and letter recognition (mainly Ages 3 and 4). Standard of behaviour in a classroom setting will be taken into account. Key Stage 1 (Ages 5 and 6): At these ages it is expected that an applicant will have an adequate command of the English language, being able to communicate and receive instructions from teachers. A simple written assessment will be undertaken, in both Mathematics and English. Standards of 4 | Atlantic International School
behaviour and social interaction are also taken into account. Key Stage 2 (Ages 7 to 10): At these ages it is expected that an applicant will have an adequate command of the English language, being able to communicate and receive instructions from teachers. A written assessment will be undertaken in both English and Maths, with the expectation to perform at a similar level to peers within the school and in the UK. Key Stage 3, IGCSE and A-Levels (Ages 11 to 16): At these ages it is expected that an applicant will have a very good command of the English language. A written assessment will be undertaken in both English and Mathematics, with the expectation to perform at a similar level to peers within the school and in the UK. Students applying for IGCSE or A- Level must demonstrate a potential to succeed in the examinations, with a capacity to reason and handle complex issues and subject matters.
English as a Secondary Language and Learning Support Atlantic International School delivers the curriculum as any international school in the world would, and children with very limited levels of English will struggle in class. The school is able to provide specific and targeted support to those students who, although low levels of English, have demonstrated a strong learning ability and a desire to advance academically. These students receive additional support from our EAL (English and Learning) specialists and typically in very small class sizes to take place usually instead of non-core subject matters or Russian language classes. The school expects every student receiving English support to achieve the level of our mainstream students within a year. Atlantic International School limits the number of students requiring additional English support to 20% of any given class. Through a Special Needs Coordinator, Atlantic International School is able to accommodate students in need of mild general learning support. However the school is only able to cope with a very limited number of students, and special arrangements and commitments are usually required from parents.
Acceptance and Placement Deposit The school will usually communicate the acceptance of a child within a few days of the assessment. Parents will be required to pay a NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT within 5 days of receiving this communication. Failure to confirm the placement through the payment of the deposit will result in the applicant’s place being forfeited. Parents who have a child intending to join the school once the academic year has commenced, should expect to deliver the deposit, together with the corresponding Tuition Fees and charges.
Waiting Lists Children who have successfully passed the assessment procedure, but are unable to enrol at the school as a result of the Year Group allocated being full, will be offered to be placed on a waiting list. Priority in the waiting list will be given to: 1- Siblings of current students 2- Children transferring from another AIS school of The Atlantic Group 3- Native English speaking children 4- International and expat families 5- Other children Note: Within each category priority is given to pupils who have the best level of English. Admissions Information
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Tuition Fees Academic Year 2013-2014 Fees below are stated in Rubles Age as of Year Group 1st of September UK 2 Pre-Nursery 3 Nursery 4 Reception 5 Year 1 6 Year 2 7 Year 3 8 Year 4 9 Year 5 10 Year 6 11 Year 7 12 Year 8 13 Year 9 14 Year 10 15 Year 11 16 Year 12 17 Year 13
School 1
School 2
School 3
700 000 700 000 750 000 770 000 770 000 790 000 790 000 790 000 790 000 850 000 850 000 850 000 870 000 870 000 890 000 890 000
700 000 700 000 750 000 770 000 770 000 790 000 790 000 790 000 790 000
765 000 765 000 765 000 900 000 900 000 900 000 900 000 900 000 900 000
School St. Petersburg 700 000 700 000 750 000 770 000 770 000 770 000 770 000 770 000 770 000
Full yearly payments (or 3 terms advance payment) must be delivered on the dates listed below, depending on the first term the yearly payment is supposed to cover.
Additional Charges and Deposits Capital contribution (per family) Yearly bus (optional) School meals School Uniform
School 1
School 2
School 3
200 000 free free
200 000 free free
300 000 free free
School St. Petersburg 150 000 free free
Early Notice Payback The school will provide an Early Notice Payback of 1,500 EURO to families that provide a THREE MONTH WRITTEN NOTICE. See General Conditions for details.
Payment Dates Term Autumn Term 2012 Spring Term 2012 Summer Term 2013 6 |
Payment Date 1st of August 2012 15th of December 2012 15th of March 2013 Atlantic International School
General Conditions 1. Application Process - Completing an application form does not entitle a student a placement at the school. A place will not be reserved until all entry requirements are fulfilled, which will normally include an assessment to determine the level of English and academic ability of the child. The school reserves the right to refuse admission after the interview and entrance assessment. 2. Non-Refundable Deposit - To confirm a reservation of a place, parents must deliver a non-refundable deposit as indicated on the fee list. Only one deposit is required per family. Payment must be made within 5 working days of confirmation from the school that the student has been accepted. The deposit is not deducted from future school charges. 3. ***Early Notice Payback - The school will provide a payback to families with the following overriding conditions (please refer to the Declaration Form provided by the school for additional details): Parents must provide a THREE MONTHS written notice, before the student is withdrawn from the school, assuming all outstanding fees and charges are settled and all textbooks are returned to the school. The date of withdrawal is that of the last day the student attends the school, and NOT the date the child would have returned at the beginning of the term. 5. Documents Required - The following documents must be provided by parents: (a)
A photocopy of the passport of one of the parents, (b) A photocopy of the student’s passport.
(c)
Child’s medical certificate or record
6. Payment and Refund of Fees - The following criteria shall apply for payment and refund of fees and charges: (a)
Fees and charges must be paid within the dates specified by the school.
(b) No refund of fees can be made for absence due to illness or any other causes. (c) For tuition fees paid termly, no refund is available for early withdrawal. (d) For tuition fees paid yearly, a refund for early withdrawal will be calculated by discounting from the total fees paid, the termly fee for every term attended (irrespective of whether the student has attended any given term partially). (e)
At the discretion of the school, late payment of fees will be subject to a 5% surcharge
7. Uniform - The uniforms are to be worn by students in accordance with the school’s uniform policy. 8. School Meals - School meals are free. The school regards the school meals as an integral part of the education the child and of school life. 9. Buses – The school bus service is optional for parents. No refund will be available for absent days. Parents should notify the school in advance if a child is not going to use the service on any given day. 10. Absence - If a child is absent from School, parents agree to inform the School by telephone or e-mail of the reason as soon as possible. On returning to the School, children must bring a note from their parents explaining the reason for their absence. 11.Temporary Suspension or Expulsion from the School - At the discretion of the Headmaster, the school reserves the right to temporarily suspend or expel a child from school for bad behaviour or non-payment of fees. The same refund policies as absence (in case of temporary suspension) or early withdrawal (in case of expulsion) will apply as those highlighted in point 5 of these General Conditions. 12.Standards of Behaviour and Discipline - Students are expected to behave in a polite and responsible manner throughout their stay at the school, showing respect for the authority of teachers Admissions Information |7
and fellow students. Severe disciplinary procedures will be enforced for instances of bullying, racism, general disrespect for others, smoking, possessing or using illegal drugs and drinking alcohol on school premises. 13. School Liability and Medical Insurance - Parents must ensure that student’s medical insurance covers all medical expenses arising from accidents within the school premises and school trips, or cover for those expenses themselves. The school will not cover any student’s medical expenses. Parents are liable for any deliberate damage caused by the child to school property, or to that belonging to teachers, employees, or other pupils. 14.Text and Library Books - The parents of any child that loses or misplaces school books, shall be expected to reimburse the school for 150% of the purchase value of the item. 15. Student Photographs - Parents agree to the use of photographs of their child(ren) on the school website, advertising and/or school’s printed materials as may be required for school publicity purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions Why is a Cambridge qualification so valuable? ‘Will it teach me what I need to know?’, ‘Will it get me where I want to be?’: two of the most important questions to ask of any qualification. Students want studying for qualifications to be challenging and enjoyable – to give them excellent preparation for success in their next steps in education or work. Parents want to know that a qualification has international value and is accepted by universities and employers as evidence of real ability in the subject studied. Successful students Students who want to be successful need not only knowledge and understanding, but also need to learn how to make the best of what they know - and how to keep on learning in today’s fast-developing world. Cambridge international qualifications give students excellent preparation for their next steps in education, work and life. Recognised and accepted qualifications Widespread ‘recognition’ – or official acceptance - of a qualification is essential. Universities and employers worldwide recognise Cambridge qualifications. In particular, Cambridge International AS and A Level qualifications are recognised by universities as proof of the ability required to enter a degree course - and in some universities, Cambridge qualifications can even earn advanced credit. Enjoy learning Students enjoy learning with Cambridge. Syllabuses – which describe what students learn to gain the qualification - are well structured, engaging and up to date, motivating students to learn and to apply their knowledge. Syllabuses are flexible. Students can pick the subjects that suit them. Teachers can adapt the content to their local context, making study more relevant and interesting. Support for students and teachers Cambridge Students provides a range of resources to help you study and revise for the exam. Cambridge also gives schools extensive support so teachers can help students get the best results they can in the examination. 8 | Atlantic International School
The world’s most popular international qualifications Cambridge IGCSE – the International General Certificate of Secondary Education – is the world’s most popular international academic qualification for 14-16 year olds, available in over 70 different subjects. Cambridge O Level is extremely popular also. Both Cambridge IGCSE and O Level lead directly to A Levels, the ‘gold standard’ pre-university qualification, recognised worldwide. Every year tens of thousands of Cambridge students get the A Level grades they need to go to university, where they arrive well prepared for their degree course – some even earning advanced credit for their qualifications. Is the curriculum taught at the school recognised by other international schools and Universities? Atlantic International School delivers The Cambridge International Curriculum. Students attending our school will have their studies accepted by other reputable British and international schools as well as universities in the UK and worldwide. Atlantic International School is registered by University of Cambridge as a Cambridge International School and is fully licensed by the Russian authorities. Are your teachers UK Qualified? All our classroom lead teachers are fully UK and internationally qualified and experienced .The school devotes great time and resources to recruit top candidates who are mostly interviewed in the UK or through our network of schools. Obvious exceptions to this rule are our Russian language teachers and some specialist teachers, who might have qualifications from other countries. What are your class sizes? For Pre-Nursery , Nursery and Reception the maximum is 18.For primary and secondary classrooms the maximum is 16-18. School policy allows for these maximums to be extended by 2 students, to accommodate native English speakers. I am applying from overseas and my child(ren) cannot attend an assessment at the school? Parents who are applying from overseas will be required to send by fax or email, copies of the latest academic transcripts for all applying children (usually only for children aged 4 or above). Depending on the information provided, the school will reply with three possible outcomes: —
In very exceptional circumstances the child is accepted unconditionally. This is mainly limited to native English speakers, with exceptional academic transcripts/references normally from an English National Curriculum school.
—
The school sends to the parents a copy of the assessment paper, for the child to complete under a controlled environment (normally their current school). A probationary offer may be made on the basis of the result of the test.
—
A probationary offer is granted, pending an assessment upon the child’s arrival in Moscow. The school will provide an opinion as to the chances of success, to indicate a level of certainty to parents.
My child has very limited English. Can I apply to the school? Atlantic International School delivers its curriculum in English, and in order for students to be academically successful they must have a high level of both written and spoken English. The demands on the level of English increase depending on the age of the child, typically being less demanding during early years and more demanding in our secondary school. The school is able to provide language support, but only for a very limited number of students and always with the confidence that Admissions Information |9
this support is only required for a limited time. Typically a child with no English ability above the age of 5 will not gain admission to the school. School policy limits the number of children requiring English support to a maximum of 20% per class. Can my child enrol at the school throughout the academic year? Yes. Being in a dynamic city like Moscow, the school is open to receiving students throughout the academic year and special attention is given to ensure new arrivals feel welcome and integrated into the class. The fact that our students are used to interacting with children from many nationalities and from varying backgrounds, makes the process of creating new friends and bonds all that much easier. Is the placement deposit deducted from the fees? No. The placement deposit is an independent item from fees and charges. It must be delivered in addition to other charges. Will my child be able to transfer to another school within your network of schools? Yes. Once accepted and attended any of our group schools, students can transfer to any other school within the group. Administrative and admissions procedures are greatly simplified, though fees and charges will vary accordingly. Will you provide a bus service to where we live? The school has a comprehensive bus service offering, and strives to ensure children spend the least amount of time possible travelling to and from school. Our routes cover most of the typical expatriate residential compounds, and routes are often created or adapted to provide the maximum flexibility possible. However, parents living in remote or untypical residential areas with no other students living in the vicinity might find that we are unable to provide a bus service. Please contact our bus coordinator for more details. Do I need to pay anything extra for school excursions? No, all school excursions are included in the Tuition Fees but residential trips are an extra charge of approximately 1000 Euros paid by the parents. All students in Years 5 – 10 are encouraged to attend any Residential trips in UK, Russia or Europe.
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Atlantic International School