Applying to ISB
A completed application is required in order for us to consider a student's admission. In order to be offered admission, the student’s application is reviewed by a committee of members who take a holistic view of the information in the online application.
Our office uses OpenApply as our application platform. You will use this to complete your child’s application.
We will be with you every step of the way!
ISB follows a Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredited admissions process, designed to ensure that a range of learner profiles are admitted to the school, upholding our aim toward diversity, inclusion, and in the offering of student support services.
Step One: Register Your Interest
You can submit an inquiry or book a visit in OpenApply, our Admissions Portal. This will create a profile for your family in the system and our team will reach out to you shortly after to provide support and to address any immediate questions.
Click HERE to reach our Admissions Portal where you can start your journey and register through OpenApply. If you've already submitted an inquiry form or an application and have a profile in OpenApply, please sign in and go to the checklist to start the Application Form for Admission. This form should take you between 15-20 minutes.
For a downloadable step-by-step guide, read through this page and our application guide to learn about how to successfully complete an application.
Step Two: Complete the Checklist
Once you complete the application form, please visit the checklist accessible through your child's dashboard. We will need the following for a complete application and may request further documents based on your child's profile. Please upload all documents appropriately labeled and in PDF format.
- Application Fee
- School Reports & Student Profile Documents
- Standardized Assessment Results for grades 3-12 (if available)
- Teacher Recommendation Forms
- Learning Support Documentation (if applicable)
- Passport copies
- Assessments
- We can complete assessments on-site or online. Your admissions officer will support you in scheduling your child’s assessment. These can only be scheduled after payment of the application fee and submission of required application documents. Students applying for consideration to Kindergarten-Grade 12, who may not be grade-level proficient in English, will be required to take an online or in-person English proficiency assessment. We may also request that your child completes other assessments in the form of standardized testing, math, and/or learning support, based on your child's learner profile.
- Interviews
- Parents complete online interviews for Elementary School applicants (Pre-K to grade 5) and Middle & High School (grades 6-12) applicants complete their own online interviews.
- There are self-submitted interviews using Canvass so they can be completed anytime and require no prior preparation.
Step Three: Application Review
All applications are reviewed by our admissions committee. During the evaluation process, the committee takes into account the student’s academic and behavioral history, English proficiency, potential requirement for additional support services, and whether the school’s program and community would be a good fit for the child and their family.
During the review, parents may be requested to compete additional steps or submit further supporting documentation, including but not limited to:
- Additional admissions/placement testing
- Observation
- In-person interview
- Further supporting school/medical reports or documents
Step Four: Admissions Decision
For each application, there are three potential outcomes. Please refer to the Key Admissions Dates page for when you can expect to receive your child’s admissions decision.
Acceptance
If your child meets our qualifications and there is available space, you will receive a formal Offer Letter. Parents must confirm the acceptance by email within seven business days. You will receive an Enrollment Checklist to complete prior to your child’s start at ISB.
Waitpool
Qualified applicants are placed in a waitpool if there are no seat openings at their grade level or within their required support services. If your child is not offered a seat by the end of the semester before your child's semester of entry, you will need to reapply for the next entry period.
Unsuccessful Applications
Our team will provide your family with the appropriate guidance in the event of an unsuccessful application.
Applications may be unsuccessful due to:
- seat availability in a grade level or required support program
- academic or behavioral needs that cannot be supported at ISB
- insufficient English language proficiency for the child's grade level
How are admissions decisions made at ISB?
Our Admissions Committee will determine your child's admissibility based on:
- alignment between your family’s educational goals and beliefs with the philosophy and teaching approaches of ISB
- ISB’s ability to maintain a balance of diversity across grade levels and divisions
- seat availability and the current or projected availability of resources to provide support and opportunities for your child
- the intention to accept all admissible siblings in a family
Consideration is given for siblings of enrolled students, alumni, or applicants affiliated with the US Embassy or United Nations organizations.