Frequently Asked Questions
We encourage you to visit our campuses to see our facilities and learn about ISG’s programs.
Weekly group tours are available by appointment. To schedule a visit, please sign up via the Book a Tour page. If you are scheduling an in-person visit, you must bring a valid ID to clear security.
If you are unable to visit in person, we invite you to view our virtual tours:
Admissions Rounds
ISG reviews applications for the upcoming school year in two rounds, followed by rolling admissions. For specific dates and deadlines, please visit our Admissions Process page.
We recommend submitting your child’s application during the first round of admissions for their grade or year level. Applications received in the first round are reviewed alongside the initial group of candidates, which provides a stronger chance of acceptance.
Applications may close after a round if all seats and wait pool spots are filled.
Can I apply after the school year has started?
We understand that many families relocate to Saudi Arabia outside of the usual admissions period, and we will do our best to accommodate your family’s needs.
- Pre-K–Grade 8 and FS1–Year 9: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, as long as seats are available and Ministry of Education requirements can be met.
- Grade 9–12 and Year 10–13: Rolling admissions may be available depending on seat availability, entry date, the academic program, and Ministry of Education requirements. Please contact the Admissions Office to confirm eligibility.
What if my child has been out of school?
If you apply after the start of the school year, you may need to provide documentation showing that your child has been enrolled in another school. Due to Ministry of Education and curriculum requirements, ISG may be unable to accept students who have been out of school for an extended period of time.
The assessment process varies depending on the grade level your child is eligible to enter.
Pre-K to Grade 1 / Foundation Stage 1 to Year 2
Students residing in Saudi Arabia will be invited to an admissions play experience, where they will take part in a range of activities. During this visit, children will engage in a play group as well as a one-on-one assessment. The admissions team will observe and assess each child’s physical, cognitive, academic, and language development, as well as their self-help and social-emotional skills.
Applicants unable to attend a group play session will be scheduled for an individual assessment and a one-hour class visit.
A classroom observation or family interview may be required upon request of the admissions review committee.
Assessments for this age group must be completed in person and cannot be conducted remotely. Families relocating from outside Saudi Arabia will be assessed upon arrival.
Please note that the American and British curriculum requirements differ for this age group. Applicants to the British school are expected to demonstrate age-appropriate skills in phonics, numeracy, and literacy aligned with England’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Families may find it helpful to review the resource Development Matters for more information on early childhood learning expectations.
Grades 2-5 / Years 3-6
- Digital reading and math tests (MAP or GL)
- Writing assessment
- Applicant interview
Applicants who do not meet English language proficiency requirements will take an English language proficiency test. A classroom observation or family interview may be required upon request of the admissions review committee.
Grades 6-8 / Years 7-9
- Digital reading and math tests (MAP or GL)
- Writing assessment
- Applicant interview
Applicants who do not meet English language proficiency requirements will take an English language proficiency test. A family interview may be required upon request of the admissions review committee.
Grades 9-12 / Years 10-11
- Digital reading and math tests (MAP or GL)
A family or applicant interview may be required upon request of the admissions review committee.
Year 12
- Digital reading and math tests (MAP or GL)
- Assessments in the applicant's requested subject areas
- Writing assessment
- Applicant interview
Can the assessment requirement be waived?
If applicants are able to submit standardized test scores taken within six months of the application, some assessment requirements may be waived. Accepted assessments include MAP, GL, CAT4, STAAR, PSAT, SAT and ITBS.
Can assessments be given remotely?
Remote assessments can be given under certain conditions. Only students currently in Grades 2-12/Year 3-13 are eligible for remote assessments. Please contact the admissions office for further details.
ISG welcomes applications from students of all nationalities. Please note that Saudi nationals applying to Grades 1-12/Years 2-13 must have Ministry of Education approval to attend ISG schools.
Admissions decisions are made by the review committee, which evaluates each applicant’s records, assessments, and overall potential to ensure a good match with the school’s academic program, mission, and philosophy.
Admissions Criteria
Applicants at all grade levels should demonstrate
- grade-level academic progress
- positive behaviors that support a productive learning environment
Admissions decisions are based on whether ISG can appropriately support a student’s learning and whether space is available in our support programs. While ISG provides differentiated instruction and short-term, targeted interventions, we cannot offer ongoing, continuous support for students with significant academic or special needs. Due to limited resources, ISG is unable to admit students whose applications indicate substantial behavioral, social, emotional, or academic challenges.
Starting in Grade 2/Year 3, applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum level of English proficiency. Please see our English Language FAQ for minimum English requirements. Applicants in Grades 8-12/Years 9-13 must exhibit grade-level English skills. Our language and learning support programs have limited availability. When seats or resources are unavailable, applicants may be placed in a wait pool or declined. ISG does not offer a gifted and talented program.
Please note that some academic programs have specific admission requirements.
Pre-K-KG2 / FS1 - Year 1
- School Readiness – Applicants should demonstrate that they are developmentally ready to attend school. Children at these ages should demonstrate age-appropriate development in physical, cognitive, language, communication, social and self-help skills. Because children in these age groups reach developmental milestones at different rates, ISG may decline children who need more time or support to demonstrate school readiness.
- FS2 and Year 1 Applicants – Applicants to FS2 and Year 1 should also demonstrate an understanding of phonics, literacy and numeracy in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum of England for each year group.
- Toilet Training – To support ISG’s child protection policies and maintain a healthy learning environment, all students must be fully toilet-trained. Fully toilet-trained children should be able to recognize and communicate their toileting needs, manage their clothing, clean themselves, and wash and dry their hands independently.
British School Dhahran IGCSE Program Requirements
Due to the rigor of the program, IGCSE applicants should demonstrate attainment at or above grade level. Strong study skills and learning behaviors are also necessary for success in this two-year program.
British School Dhahran A Level Program Requirements
- General Entry: A minimum of three IGCSE passes at grade 5 (C grade) or higher, and three IGCSE passes at grade 6 (B grade) or higher
- For A level Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry: A minimum of a grade 7 (A grade)
- For A level Physics: A minimum of a grade 7 (A grade) at IGCSE Physics and a minimum of a grade 7 (A grade) at IGCSE Mathematics
- For A level Computer Science: A minimum of a grade 7 (A grade) at IGCSE Computer Science or ICT and a minimum of a grade 7 (A grade) at IGCSE Mathematics.
- For Further Mathematics: A minimum of a grade 8 (A* grade) at IGCSE Mathematics
- For all other A level Subjects not listed above: A minimum of a grade 6 (B grade) at IGCSE is required for the chosen subjects
- Students who did not take the British IGCSE or GCSE curriculum will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
You can check your child’s admissions status at any time through the admissions portal. Once the admissions review process is complete, your child’s status will be updated and you will receive an email notification.
Possible Admissions Statuses
Offer: Your child has been accepted for admission to ISG. The email will include information about the next steps to complete enrollment.
Wait Pool: Your child has been accepted, but due to high demand, a place is not currently available. If a seat becomes available, you will be notified. Your child will remain in the wait pool until a seat opens or you request removal from the wait pool. For details, please see the wait pool FAQ.
Declined: Your child has not been accepted at this time. This may be because they did not meet the admissions criteria or ISG is unable to meet their needs.
British School Dhahran and ISG Dammam accept students starting at 3 years old. American School Dhahran and ISG Jubail accept students starting at 4 years old.
If your child is applying to Pre-K, Kindergarten, Foundation Stage, or Year 1, your admissions specialist will confirm the appropriate grade placement based on Ministry of Education (MOE) age guidelines.
For the 2026-27 school year, applicants must reach the following ages by August 24:
- Pre-K / FS1: 3 years old
- KG1 / FS2: 4 years old
- KG2 / Year 1: 5 years old
Grade Placement
Pre-K-Grade 1/FS1-Year 2
Applicants to Pre-K, Kindergarten, Foundation Stage, or Year 1 must meet Ministry of Education (MOE) age requirements. These age guidelines are published each spring and may change while an application is in process. If this occurs, your admissions specialist will advise you of your options.
For the 2025-26 school year, applicants must reach the required age by August 25, 2025:
- Pre-K / FS1: 3 years old
- KG1 / FS2: 4 years old
- KG2 / Year 1: 5 years old
Grades 1-12/Years 2-13
After the second semester of Grade 1 / Year 2, the MOE requires students to be placed according to the last completed grade or the grade currently in progress, according to the most recent report card. Report cards and/or leaving certificates must clearly indicate the student’s grade level and whether they have been promoted to the next grade.
Applicants Coming from Southern Hemisphere Schools
The ISG school year runs from mid-August to mid-June. Applicants transferring from schools that follow a southern hemisphere calendar (ending in November or December) should apply to the grade they are currently attending or have most recently completed.
Applicants in Online or Home-Based Learning Programs
Applicants without previous school records will be placed according to chronological age and assessment results. Students who have been homeschooled or enrolled in online programs must provide additional documentation for MOE approval (not applicable to U.S. citizens). Families are encouraged to discuss their specific circumstances with their admissions specialist before submitting the application fee.
The admissions team makes final decisions on grade-level placement after reviewing all application materials, assessments, and individual student needs.
Class Placement
Once a student is enrolled, the school leadership team determines class placement. Classes are designed to provide a balanced mix of genders, nationalities, and a range of language, learning, and behavioral needs. This approach supports an inclusive, well-rounded, and positive learning environment for all students.
An admissions assessment does not guarantee admission or seat availability, as openings may depend on the withdrawal of current students. If a grade level is full, ISG will maintain a limited wait pool of qualified applicants.
The wait pool is valid for the applying school year only (August–June). When a seat becomes available, the admissions committee reviews all students in the wait pool to determine placement. Each applicant is considered holistically, taking into account, though not limited to, the following factors: academic and behavioral standing, attendance and confidential references, admissions assessment results, siblings currently enrolled, organizational agreements, and/or availability of resources to support the applicant's needs.
In addition, ISG may consider classroom balance, such as gender representation and the range of academic or behavioral needs. Wait pool selection is not based on the date of application, and there is no predefined order for when a seat may be offered.
If your child requires learning or language support, they may also be placed in the wait pool if no seats are available in the school’s support programs.
Notifications and Next Steps
Families applying before the start of the school year will be notified of their child’s wait pool status by the end of the current school year and at least two weeks prior to the new school year.
If a seat becomes available, the admissions team will contact the selected applicant by email. Families must respond within two business days to accept the offer, or the seat may be offered to another applicant.
Applicants may be asked to provide updated school records before an offer can be confirmed.
At the end of the school year, families whose children remain in the wait pool will be contacted to confirm their interest in applying again for the following year. To be reconsidered, families must submit updated records and references, pay a new application fee, and complete a new assessment.
Offer Timelines by Grade Level
- Pre-K / FS1 – Grade 8 / Year 9: Seats may be offered up to the last six weeks of the school year.
- Grades 9–12: Seats may be offered through the first three weeks of each semester.
- Years 10–13: Seats may be offered through the first four weeks of the school year.
English is the primary language of instruction across all ISG campuses. We celebrate the diversity of our students and value the rich language backgrounds our students bring. While we provide support for English language learners, these services are limited and differ by grade level and school.
We can admit early elementary and primary students who are non-English speakers or who have a basic level of English proficiency. However, as students progress into the upper elementary and secondary years, a stronger command of English is essential due to the academic demands of the curriculum and the limited support available at those levels.
Language Assessment and Placement
Applicants in Grades 2–12 / Years 3–13 who are non-native English speakers will be assessed to determine whether ISG has the programs and resources to support their English language development.
- Students in Grades 2–7 / Years 3–8 whose English is still developing may be placed in our English as an Additional Language (EAL) program.
- EAL support is not available for Grades 8-12/Years 9-13.
- Students who do not meet the minimum English proficiency requirements for their grade will not be eligible for admission.
Admission also depends on language support program availability at each school and grade level. Because spaces are limited, qualified students may be placed in the EAL wait pool if no seats are available in the program.
Minimum English Language Requirements
Pre-K – Grade 1 / FS1 – Year 2: No minimum English proficiency required.
Grades 2–4 / Years 3–5: Beginning level of English proficiency - able to understand and follow simple directions, write simple sentences and paragraphs, and understand simple texts.
Grades 5–7 / Years 6–8: Expanding level of proficiency — able to understand familiar topics, write basic texts with reasons and explanations, and read at an intermediate level.
Grades 8–12 / Years 9–13: Proficient level of English — able to understand academic vocabulary, communicate confidently in new situations, read grade-level texts fluently and independently, and produce clear, multi-paragraph writing with appropriate complexity.
If your child may require language support services, we encourage you to contact our Admissions Office to discuss your child’s English proficiency, our available programs, and current space availability.
At ISG, we are committed to working with families to ensure each child is placed in an educational environment that best meets their needs. We continually invest in resources and professional development to better support our diverse student population. However, our learning support program has limited services and capacity, and we are only equipped to accommodate students with mild learning needs.
Our accommodations are designed for students within general education classrooms. We do not provide one-on-one support, individual special education services, therapies, or significantly differentiated curriculum. Typically, each division has one learning support teacher who assists multiple students across various grades and classrooms.
If your child requires learning support services, please contact [email protected] before applying. Our admissions team can offer a preliminary review of your child’s needs to determine if our support programs may be a fit. We may ask you to provide educational psychology reports, learning plans, medical documentation, and/or a list of current accommodations or modifications. Based on this information, we will advise whether we can likely support your child and whether we recommend proceeding with the application process.
Please note that a recommendation to proceed is not a guarantee of admission. Final admissions decisions are made by our review committee and are based on whether we can appropriately support a child's learning and whether we have capacity within our learning support program.
Admissions Rounds
If you submit a complete application, including all required documents and the application fee, by the first or second-round admissions deadline, you will receive an admissions decision by the published notification date.
Rolling Admissions
Rolling admissions assessments begin in April, with decisions released starting in May. After May, the admissions team aims to provide a decision within ten working days of receiving a complete application and/or completing any required assessments.