International School of Monza

Admission Policy

The International School of Monza serves a diverse community of students and their families. We offer a holistic education for children aged 2½ to 18 which promotes curiosity and international mindedness. English is our primary language of instruction, as well as being considered our inclusive language. Our Mission and Core Values intend to succinctly and honestly represent who we are:

Children Are Assigned to Classes on The Basis of Age:

• Kindergarten - 3 years old
• Transition - 4 years old
• Grade 1 - 5 years old
• Grade 2 - 6 years old
• Grade 3 - 7 years old
• Grade 4 - 8 years old.
• Grade 5 - 9 years old.
• Grade 6 - 10 years old.
• Grade 7 - 11 years old
• Grade 8 - 12 years old
• Grade 9 - 13 years old
• Grade 10 - 14 years old
• Grade 11- 15 years old
• Grade 12 - 16 years old
• Grade 13 - 17 years old

Admission Process

• Family completes Enquiry Form on the school’s OpenApply admissions portal,
• Family attends Open Day, virtual or in-person school visit with admissions officer and leadership team member;
• Family invited to complete Application form and Checklist on OpenApply, uploading the following documentation:
  • school reports;
  • vaccination records;
  • documentation pertinent to special learning or social-emotional needs (individual learning plans/psychological reports);
  • proof of legal guardianship in the event an applicant will not be living with their parent(s).
• Primary-aged students are invited to spend a trial day
• Secondary-aged students are required to take placement tests in English and Mathematics
• Confidential reference to be submitted to IS Monza by applicant’s current/previous school
• Admission decision communicated to family based on evaluation of student’s application by school leadership and inclusion coordinator

English Proficiency

For admission in preK-G1, we do not require students to have had previous exposure to the English language.

For admission into G2-6, upon admission, our English as an Additional Language (EAL) team will assess a student’s needs and coordinate a programme of support for the student’s first year at the school. Language assessments will continue throughout this first year in order to evaluate the need for a second year of in-school EAL support. In some cases, we may also require the family to engage with additional EAL lessons outside of school, funded directly by parents.

For admission into G7-9, students will take a placement test in English. Should the level of English be insufficient to access our English Language and Literature course, students will be placed in our English Language Acquisition course and may also be asked to enrol in a specialist English Language Acquisition course with an external provider, funded directly by parents.

For admission into G10-11, students will take a placement test in English. Should the level of English be insufficient to access our English Language and Literature course, students will be placed in our English Language Acquisition course and will also be asked to enrol in a specialist English Language Acquisition course with an external provider, funded directly by parents. Admission to the IB Diploma Programme come G12 will be evaluated during the course of G11.

For admission into G12, students will take a placement test in English. Should the level of English be insufficient to access the academic demands of the curriculum, admission will not be granted.

Special Learning or Behavioural Needs

We seek to accommodate students with diverse learning needs, utilising the skillset of our inclusion team to support each individual’s learning needs. Students with learning or social-emotional needs, whether diagnosed or suspected, will be evaluated by the school’s inclusion coordinator. The outcome of this evaluation may result in parents being required to commit to providing extra support for their child, which may take the form of specialist in-class support or out-of-school provision.

We require that families inform us of any previously identified special needs or previous educational support at the time of application. Should it emerge at a later date that information was not disclosed to us at the time of application, the school reserves the right to discontinue enrolment.

Admission on Trial Basis

Where we are in doubt about the suitability of our programmes for a particular applicant, we occasionally admit students on a trial basis. In this case the targets and criteria for success will be clearly identified before admission. The aim of the trial is to give a specific period to assess whether the student can be successful at IS Monza, ensuring that the trial is also short enough for him/her to transfer elsewhere if we find that our system is not appropriate for the student concerned.

Waiting Lists

In the event that a particular class is fully subscribed, successful applicants will be invited to place their name on a waiting list. In such circumstances, priority will be given to:

• Siblings of IS Monza students
• Children of IS Monza alumni
• Applicants from the international community
• Applicants who are proficient in the English language or transferring from English-medium schools

Grade Placement

We usually place students in the grade appropriate to their age according to our placement chart, seeking to differentiate for their individual needs within this context. However, transfers will also take into consideration the student’s previous educational records and seek to provide continuity in the progression of their ongoing education.

Motives for Denying Admission

Admission is at the discretion of the school and may not be granted for any reason, such as the impossibility to find a place due to full enrolment or an evaluation that IS Monza cannot cater for the student’s individual learning or social-emotional needs.

Advice for Parents Following Admission

Families whose students enrol in IS Monza are expected to commit to the following:

• Our Core Values
• Respect for our policies in language, assessment, inclusion and academic integrity
• Their contractual obligations indicated in the enrolment contract
• Attendance at informative school presentations, workshops and conferences
• Provision of continuing opportunities for their child to engage with their cultural heritage and mother-tongue(s)