Collegiate International School

Thank you for considering the Collegiate International School for the education of your child.

We believe that education is one of the most important gifts parents can give to their children and we are here to support you throughout the process of making a well informed decision and the best present choice for your child’s future.

You are welcome to visit us or reach us via email and phone for any questions you may have. We will be glad to take you on a tour around the school, guide you through the enrollment steps and assist you with any further support you might need throughout the admission process.

If you are interested in applying to our school kindly complete the Application Form.

The Collegiate International School is a 12-year system. Please read our Year Group Equivalency Information before completing the application form.

Year Group Equivalency

The correct grade for students is identified through consultation with the Admissions team. It is our intention to always place students in the grade most appropriate for them to thrive both academically and socially in their new environment. During this phase the following will be taken into account:

• Previous schooling to date and student’s previous school reports
• Assessment test results (and interview if applicable)
• Age of student
• Information provided on the student’s Transfer Certificate
• Ministry of Education – UAE/KHDA requirements

Schools around the world use different numbering conventions as well as following different curriculums. It is common to find North American schools and those following the US Curriculum using a 12 year numbering format, and British schools and those following the National Curriculum for England and Wales using a 13 year numbering format. In addition, there are other numbering conventions as well as those mentioned.

In the UAE there are many schools offering different curriculums and following different numbering conventions. Below is a table indicating CAS numbering convention and how this equates to the 13 year system. CAS follows the 12 grade system. Age is determined as of 31st of December of the admission year.

Admission Process

The processes outlined below are managed and administered by the central Admissions office, in collaboration and consultation with school principals

1. Applications for Admission

Applications are accepted at all times during the school year.Applications must be completed online through the school website. If there are no places available at the time then the application is placed onto the school’s waiting list.

2. Assessment Invitation

When a place becomes available then the school will contact the first eligible applicant and invite them to attend an assessment.

3. Selection Criteria

Selection is based on multiple criteria. These are:-

• Performance in the entrance test in English and Mathematics.Pre-KG, KG1, KG2, FS2 and Year 1 applicants are also assessed for school readiness. They must be toilet trained and have a level of independence.
• Face to face interview, if required, with the Admissions Officer /School Counsellor/ Academic Co-ordinator / School Principal / or other designated school staff.
• Age appropriateness for the year/grade level to which admission is sought.
• Transfer Certificate from the previous school.
• Priority will be given to siblings of those who have secured admission to the school.
• Students needing ESL Instruction will be accepted from Year/Grade1 to Year 11/Grade 10.
• The child’s previous curriculum is taken into consideration as well as limitations with regards to transfer dates for local transfers as defined by the KHDA.

4. Procedures for Assessment

• All invited applicants will undergo assessment. The specific nature of this assessment is the responsibility of the school, and the relevant details are as mentioned below.
• For applicants based locally, assessments will be undertaken at the school premises.If this is not possible then the assessment will be undertaken online under the supervision of a qualified teacher, where applicable. For applicants currently outside UAE abroad assessments can be arranged. The evaluation and year placement will be done by the School. Assessment fee is applicable for both onsite and abroad assessments.
• For KG1, KG2 /FS2, Year1/Grade1, Year2, the test is general in English and Number work and non- verbal clues may be used.For Grade2/Year3 and above CAT4 digital testing is conducted via an online platform (the fourth edition of GL Assessment’s Cognitive Abilities Test that assesses a pupil’s ability to reason with and manipulate different types of material through a series of Verbal, Non-Verbal, Quantitative and Spatial Ability tasks).
• Where appropriate a face-to-face interview may also be undertaken with the relevant school authority.

The following documents are required at the time of assessment:

• 2 photocopies of birth certificate, passport, visa, and Emirates ID of student & parents
• Latest 2 years full school reports or transcripts.

Transfer Certificate

For Overseas Transfers
All Overseas School transfers and transfers from schools of other Emirates (not Dubai) joining Grade 2 and above at the beginning of the academic year MUST submit a copy of the Transfer /Leaving Certificate stamped/attested as per the requirements of the KHDA, before joining the school to the CAS Admissions Office.

For Local Transfers
As per KHDA regulations the student should have been registered on the KHDA systems at the previous local school in the Emirate and transfers to schools within Dubai will be issued a transfer certificate from the leaving school attested by the KHDA.

• Photocopy of Immunisation records
• 2 Passport photos

It is mandated by the regulatory authorities of the UAE that on enrolment, the Emirates IDs of student & parent be electronically swiped at the admission’s office in order to be registered with the regulatory body KHDA. Once this registration is approved by the KHDA, parents will be invited by the school to electronically sign the Parent School Contract as the final step of the student’s official registration.

Parent School Contract (PSC): (applicable for new admissions only) it is mandatory for Parents to sign the Parent School Contract once the student’s admission has been approved and registered in the KHDA systems. This remains valid until the student leaves the school.

5. Service Standards

The admission process for each child needs to be completed within 5 working days of the assessment if the student is based in Dubai. To achieve this goal, the following process and service standards have been defined:-

6. Assessment Fees

All applicants who are invited for assessment are required to pay a non-refundable assessment fee.

7. Selection Process

Following assessment the school management will decide upon whether a place is to be offered or not, based upon all of the information from assessment and provided in the application.

The decision taken by the school is final, and all admissions follow the guidelines and regulations set by the KHDA.

Parents / guardians must respond to an offer within 7 days of receipt, in order to secure the place.

Prior to admission a Transfer Certificate (attested where required) is to be submitted.

Admissions Policy

• We welcome students of all abilities, nationalities and religions who, in the school’s opinion, will benefit from the rigorous academic, personal and social programmes on offer. We are proud of our visible commitment to diversity and international mindedness.
• We take our responsibility for your child’s academic, social and personal growth very seriously. In order to serve your child’s individual needs and to support his or her transition to our school, it is important that we have complete information regarding previous academic experience and pastoral welfare.
• Our school actively seeks to nurture the holistic development of your child. Where your child has a gift or talent then this should be identified and recorded on the online application form.
• The school provides a rigorous international English-language education. Although fluency in English is not a criterion for admission, assessments are set in the English language.
• The school is inclusive and has a learning support programme, addressing the individual needs of all students including special needs, gifted and talented and English language learners. Parents or guardians of any applicant having a specific need must submit complete reports with their application. These might include Individualised Education Plans (IEPs), or reports from health professionals. In the case where a child’s specific need has not been previously identified, the school reserves the right to review the situation in order to assess the capacity to address his/her needs within their existing level of provision.
• The school adheres to UAE law and KHDA guidelines. Please refer to Parent School Contract, Section 1.