FAQs

All enrollment requirements must be met in order for a child to attend school. This includes medical, government and financial requirements. In order to prevent delays to your child’s start of school, you should upload all enrollment documents listed in your child’s admissions platform well in advance of the start of the school year. Our admissions, finance and nursing departments require 3-5 business days to review and confirm enrollment requirements are met. Enrollment requirements submitted in the two weeks prior to the start of the school year could lead to delays in your child’s entry date.

Applicants enrolling after October must complete medical and government requirements before their tuition invoice will be issued. In particular, parents are encouraged to complete the medical form, required vaccinations and report card authentication well in advance of their child’s anticipated entry date.

Remote assessments are available under the following conditions:

• The applicant is applying to Grades 2-12 or Years 3-13 for the upcoming school year. 
• The applicant is unable to travel to the school for an in-person assessment.
• The admissions team can schedule an assessment that accommodates the applicant’s time zone, or the applicant’s current school is approved to proctor the remote assessment.
• A secure and monitored testing environment can be ensured.

Remote assessments for the current, in-session school year may be granted at the discretion of the Admissions and Enrollment Manager, considering the applicant’s expected arrival date and the family’s travel arrangements. Remote assessments during the school year should be scheduled no more than eight weeks prior to the anticipated school entry date. 

Eligibility Requirements for Remote Assessment

Applicants applying to Grades 2-12 or Years 3-13 may qualify for a remote assessment if they meet the following criteria:

1. Complete Application: A complete application is submitted, including the application fee, required documents and confidential reference(s).
2. Applicant Profile: The application and academic records indicate no behavioral, academic, learning, language, attendance or social-emotional concerns.

Grade 2/Year 3 applicants may only be assessed remotely after March of the school year.

An applicant who completes a remote assessment may still be required to attend an on-site assessment if further information is needed. This may occur if test results are inconclusive, testing conditions are invalid or if additional assessments are warranted due to language, learning or behavioral needs. In such cases, families will be notified, and an on-site appointment will be scheduled. Parent requests for in-person assessment after the parent has opted for a remote assessment will be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions and Enrollment Manager.

For Pre-K–Grade 1 and Foundation Stage 1–Year 2 applicants, the admissions committee will attempt to make admissions decisions based on submitted application materials. If additional information is needed, an in-person assessment will be required.
 

Current ISG students are welcome to apply to another ISG school once admissions open for the next academic year.

Process: To initiate a transfer between ISG schools, you may submit an application to the new school. You will complete the application form and provide contact information for your child’s current teacher(s) and counselor.

Once you have submitted the application, please email [email protected], and the admissions team will transfer the student’s documents to the new school’s application platform. ISG Admissions will request all grade reports and test scores from the current school, and we will contact you if any additional documents are needed. Then, we will review all materials and provide a transfer decision by the admissions decision deadline. Transfers may be accepted, declined, or placed in the wait pool if there are no seats available at the new school.

Guidelines: Transfer requests follow ISG’s admissions and re-enrollment timelines and are dependent on seat availability at the new school. Transfer students do not receive automatic admissions to the new school. If there are differences between the curriculum or learning/language support programs at the two schools, additional assessments or reports may be required. Transfer students with complete transfer applications who are in good academic and behavioral standing will be prioritized within each admissions round.

Please note that any outstanding government, medical or financial enrollment requirements must be met before a transfer request will be considered. Transfer applicants are not required to submit an application fee, but they are responsible for any differences in fees between the schools.

Re-enrollment: Students who apply within the first-round admissions deadline will receive a decision prior to the re-enrollment deadline. They may wait until the decision is received before submitting the re-enrollment form. Those who apply for a transfer after the first-round admissions deadline should re-enroll and pay the seat deposit at their current school by the re-enrollment deadline in order to secure a seat at ISG for the next school year. Then, if the transfer request is accepted after the re-enrollment deadline, the admissions office will assist with transferring the student’s enrollment to the new school.

An admissions assessment does not guarantee that a seat is available, nor that your child will be admitted, as availability of seats may be contingent on the withdrawal of current students. If a grade is full, we will maintain a limited wait pool of accepted applicants. The wait pool is maintained for the applying school year only (August-June).

When a seat becomes available, the admissions committee will review all candidates in the wait pool to consider each one in the context of one another for placement, guided by, but not limited to, the following factors: academic and behavioral standing, attendance, confidential references, admissions assessment results, siblings currently in attendance, organizational agreements, and the availability of resources to meet the applicant’s needs. In selecting applicants from the wait pool, ISG may also consider the balance of genders and academic or behavioral needs in the classroom. Wait pool selection is not determined by the date of application, nor is there a predefined order when it comes to when and if an applicant in the wait pool will be offered a seat.

If your child is in need of learning or language support, they may be placed in the wait pool if there are no seats available in the school’s support program.

Applicants applying before the start of the school year will be notified of their wait pool status by the end of the current school year and at least two weeks prior to the start of the school year.

If a seat becomes available, the admissions team will contact the next selected applicant from that grade/year group’s wait pool via email. If you are notified that a seat has become available for your child, you must respond within two business days to accept the seat, or the admissions team may offer the seat to another applicant in the wait pool. Wait pool applicants may be asked to update their school records before a seat can be offered.

At the end of each school year, if your child remains in the wait pool, you will be contacted to determine your interest in applying for the following year. If you wish for your child to be considered for the next academic year, you must update their application with current records and references, submit a new application fee and complete a new assessment.

Pre-K/FS1 through Grade 8/Year 9 applicants may be offered seats up until the last six weeks of school. Grades 9-12 applicants may be offered seats through the first three weeks of each semester. Years 10-13 applicants may be offered seats through the first four weeks of the school year.

Applicants to Pre-K, Kindergarten, Foundation Stage or Year 1 must meet Ministry of Education (MOE) age requirements. The age guidelines are published each year in the spring and may change while an application is in process. If this occurs, your admissions specialist will advise you of your options. For the 2024-25 school year, Pre-K/FS1, KG1/FS2, and KG2/Year 1 applicants must turn 3, 4, or 5, respectively, by August 19.

After the second semester of Grade 1/Year 2, the MOE requires students to be placed in grades according to their last completed grade or the grade currently in progress. For this reason, your child’s report card and/or leaving certificate must clearly state their grade and whether they have been promoted or passed to the next grade.

The ISG school year begins in mid-August and ends in mid-June. Applicants applying to ISG after the first semester from a school located on a southern hemisphere calendar, where the school year ends in November or December, should apply to the grade in which they are currently enrolled or to the grade they have just completed.

Applicants without previous school records will be placed according to chronological age and assessment results. Applicants who have been homeschooled or who have participated in online schooling must submit additional documentation for MOE approval. Applicants should discuss their individual situation with their admissions specialist before submitting the application fee.

The admissions review committee makes final decisions on grade-level assignments. Decisions are made after careful consideration and based on all application documentation, assessments and individual student needs.

After enrollment, the school leadership team will determine your child’s class placement. Classes are created to ensure a balanced mix of genders and nationalities as well as language, learning and behavioral needs. This approach helps foster a well-rounded, inclusive and supportive classroom environment for all students.

You may check your child’s admissions status at any time in your child’s admissions portal.

After the admissions review process is completed, the applicant status will be updated to one of the following statuses, and you will receive a decision notification via email.

Offer: Your child is accepted for admission to ISG. You will be advised of the next steps for enrollment.

Wait Pool: Your child is accepted for admission to ISG. However, due to the high demand for seats, 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 becomes available or until you indicate your child should be removed from the wait pool. Please see the wait pool guidelines.

Declined: Your child has not been accepted for admission to ISG at this time. Either they did not meet the admissions criteria, or ISG is unable to meet their needs

ISG welcomes applications from students of all nationalities who are able to meet the demands of an academically challenging curriculum. In making admissions decisions, places are offered to those applicants whose experiences and records indicate that they will succeed in our school’s academic program. ISG also seeks to ensure an appropriate match between a prospective student and family and the mission and philosophy of the school.

Admission decisions are made by the admissions review committee. The committee carefully evaluates each applicant’s file and assessment results. Selection is based on a combination of academic qualifications and individual potential, ensuring that decisions serve the best interests of both the applicant and the existing student body.

Students applying to all grade levels are expected to demonstrate grade-level academic skills and positive behavior that supports a productive learning environment for themselves and others.

ISG provides differentiated instructions and targeted interventions, but ISG has limited resources for students with special needs and can only assist students with mild disabilities. ISG is unable to accept students whose applications indicate significant behavioral, social, emotional or academic needs. Admissions decisions are made based on whether we can appropriately support a student's learning and whether there is availability in our support programs.

Starting in Grade 3/Year 4, applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum level of English proficiency. Please see our FAQ on minimum English requirements. Applicants in Grades 9-12/Years 10-13 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

Applicants should demonstrate that they are developmentally ready to attend school. 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. Children at these ages should demonstrate age-appropriate development in physical, cognitive, communication, social and self-help skills. 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.

To support ISG’s child protection policies and maintain a healthy learning environment, all applicants must be fully toilet trained. Fully toilet-trained applicants 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

The A Level program requires at least six IGCSE passes, including at least three grades of A or 7 and three grades of C or 5. An A or 7 is required for those who wish to enroll in chemistry. An A or 7 in mathematics and an A or 7 in physics are required for those who would like to enroll in physics. For all other subject choices, students must receive a 6 or B IGCSE grade. External students not taking IGCSEs need to undertake and pass admissions examinations in English writing and in their chosen subjects.

The assessment process varies depending on the grade level your child is eligible to enter. Please note that we are updating our admissions assessment process for those applying for the 2025-26 school year.

2024-25 Applicants

Pre-K - Kindergarten 2 / Foundation Stage 1 - Year 1

Applicants sit a one-on-one, age-appropriate assessment that measures numeracy, language skills, motor skills and conceptual understanding. Applicants in this age group may be invited to attend a classroom visit. A family interview may be required upon request of the admissions committee. Assessments for this age group must be conducted in person. 

Grade 1/ Year 2

Applicants sit a one-on-one, age-standardized assessment in English (reading and writing) and math. Applicants in this age group may be invited to attend a classroom visit. A family interview may be required upon request of the admissions committee. Assessments for this age group must be conducted in person. 

Grades 2-8 / Years 3 - 9

Applicants sit a set of standardized tests (NWEA MAP or GL) in math and English. Additionally, they will complete a writing assessment. A classroom visit or family interview may be required upon request of the admissions committee.

Grades 9-12 / Years 10-13

Applicants submit standardized test scores taken within six months of the application. If no test scores are available, the applicant will sit a set of standardized tests (NWEA MAP or GL) in math and English. A writing sample, student interview or family interview may be required upon request of the admissions committee.

2025-26 Applicants

Pre-K - Kindergarten 2 / Foundation Stage 1 - Year 1

Applicants in this age group submit a play video, and their parents participate in a parent interview. Students residing in KSA will be invited to participate in an admissions play experience, where they will engage in a range of activities. During this visit, the admissions team will assess the applicants' physical, cognitive, academic, and language development, as well as their self-help and social-emotional skills. Applicants who cannot attend a group play session will be scheduled for an individual assessment and a one-hour class visit.

For applicants unable to travel to KSA for an in-person assessment, the admissions review committee will evaluate the application materials to make an initial determination of admissibility. If deemed admissible, remote applicants may receive a one-year conditional offer. However, if further information is required, the child will need to attend an in-person assessment. Please note that assessments for this age group cannot be conducted remotely.

Please note that the American and British school curriculum varies for this age group, and the British school also requires phonics, numeracy, and literacy skills in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum of England. Parents applying for their children to join the Foundation Stage may wish to review Development Matters, a resource that outlines children’s expected development across their early years.

Grade 1/ Year 2 (Terms 1-2)

Applicants sit a one-on-one assessment in reading, writing and math. Applicants in this age group will be invited to attend either a group assessment or a one-hour classroom visit. Parents will also participate in an interview. Assessments for this age group must be conducted in person.

Grades 2-5 / Years 4-6

The applicant will take digital standardized tests (NWEA MAP or GL) in math and reading. Applicants will also complete a writing assessment and family interview. Applicants who do not meet English language proficiency requirements will take an English language proficiency test. A classroom observation may be required upon request of the admissions review committee.

If applicants are able to submit standardized test scores taken within six months of the application, some of the admissions assessment requirements may be waived. Accepted assessments include MAP, GL, CAT4, STAAR, and ITBS.

Remote assessments will be given under certain conditions. Please contact the admissions office for further details.

Grades 6-8 / Years 7-9

The applicant will take digital standardized tests (NWEA MAP, GL or iDAT) in math and reading. Applicants will also complete a writing assessment. Applicants who do not meet English language proficiency requirements will take an English language proficiency test. A family or applicant interview may be required upon request of the admissions review committee.

If applicants are able to submit standardized test scores taken within six months of the application, some of the admissions assessment requirements may be waived. Accepted assessments include MAP, GL, CAT4, STAAR, and ITBS.

Remote assessments will be given under certain conditions. Please contact the admissions office for further details.

Grades 9-12 / Years 10-13

The applicant will take digital standardized tests (NWEA MAP, GL or iDAT) in math and reading. Year 12 applicants will take assessments in English writing and their chosen subject areas. Applicants who do not meet English language proficiency requirements will take an English language proficiency test. A family or applicant interview may be required upon request of the admissions review committee.

If applicants are able to submit standardized test scores taken within six months of the application, some of the admissions assessment requirements may be waived. Accepted assessments include MAP, GL, CAT4, STAAR, ITBS, PSAT and SAT.

Remote assessments will be given under certain conditions. Please contact the admissions office for further details.
 

Each school has a slightly different start time. Students are expected to arrive between 7:30-7:40 a.m. Classes start between 7:50 and 8:00 a.m. and run until 2:30 p.m. After school activities run throughout the week from 2:30-3:30 p.m.  Sports training for middle school and high school students run on their own schedules during the week and occasionally on the weekends too.

Parents are an important part of our ISG family and we offer a number of ways parents can engage with us.  Each school has a parent volunteer group that helps organize and support larger events throughout the year such as International Day, bake sales and seasonal celebrations. In our elementary classes, teachers often request support from parents for special celebrations during the year. Please see your school’s handbook for information about joining the school’s parent volunteer group.

Yes. Activities include art, programming, mindfulness, yoga, board games, chess, public speaking, Model United Nations, debate, fun with math, dance, zumba and much more. We make sure to include activities that engage students, develop their interests, explore their creativity and learn new skills.

Middle school and high school students also have the option of joining sports that include volleyball, football, badminton, basketball, table tennis, cross country and swimming. Teams go on to participate in competitions against other schools in the district and the Kingdom, with some overseas travel for competitions on occasion.  We have a strong athletic program with world-class facilities on offer. Intra-school and inter-school competition sees many of our students compete in different parts of the GCC region.  ISG offers a range of after-school activities to our students, and we encourage everyone to get involved.

Music, drama and art classes provide ISG students with an outlet to express themselves, with guidance from passionate staff. Arts exhibits, performance opportunities and international exchanges offer growth opportunities away from the classroom, exposing students to cultural and curricular challenges.

ISG students are encouraged to join established clubs or start their own groups that attract similar-minded peers. More information about after-school activities can be found on the schools' pages.

Only ISG Jubail offers a bus service for a fee. ISG does not offer school transportation to the other ISG campuses. Most residential compounds offer daily transportation to and from school, and some even offer transportation when students have after-school activities. Please check with your employer and compound to see if this is a service they support. Alternatively, parents may arrange private transportation.

The American School Dhahran (ASD) and the British School Dhahran (BSD) have cafeterias that offer daily lunch options including hot meals, salads, soups and vegetarian meals. Lunch on campus is approximately SAR 15. At BSD, students who are in FS1 - Year 2 are asked to bring their lunch each day.

Both ASD and BSD also have a Starbucks vendor on site with drink options available to senior students, parents and staff.

ISG Dammam students have access to a Joffrey’s kiosk that sells snack items.

ISG Jubail offers a daily lunch option including a meal, side and drink. The lunch option is approximately SAR 15. ISG Jubail students also have access to a Joffrey’s kiosk that sells snack items.

Sara Village School students must bring their lunch to school each day.

The ISG dress policy is outlined in our student handbooks and reviewed each year.  Please make sure you are familiar with our current requirements before your child begins the school year.

British School of Dhahran (BSD) and  Sara Village School (SVS) require students to wear a school uniform each day.  BSD school uniforms may be purchased from ZAKS uniform store. SVS uniforms may be purchased at SVS. Please make arrangements to purchase your child’s uniform in advance of their start date. Information about the school's uniform is in the handbook. 

While the American School Dhahran (ASD), ISG Dammam and ISG Jubail do not have uniform requirements, they do have a dress code, which can be found in their school handbooks.

ASD and ISG Dammam students are required to wear school-branded physical education clothing for P.E. classes and competitions. ASD PE uniforms can be purchased from ZAKS uniform store. ISG Dammam PE uniforms may be purchased at the school. ISG Jubail students must wear athletic clothing during PE class.

Yes. ISG is a proud member of some of the most recognized educational networks and organizations in the world including:

• Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA)
• The Council of International Schools (CIS)
• British Schools of the Middle East (BSME)
• Association of the Advancement of International Education (AAEI)

ISG schools are recognized by the world’s top education accreditation bodies:

• All our ISG schools are accredited by The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
• British School Dhahran and Sara Village School are accredited by British School Overseas (BSO)
• American School Dhahran and ISG Jubail are authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

If you submit a complete application, including all required documents and fees, by the first or second-round admissions deadline, you will receive a decision by the published decision notification date. Rolling admissions assessments will begin in April, with rolling admissions decisions released starting in May. For all rolling admissions after May, the admissions team will aim to provide an admissions decision within ten working days of the complete application and/or assessment.

British School Dhahran and ISG Dammam accept students starting from three years old. American School Dhahran and ISG Jubail accept students starting from four 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 age guidelines. For the 2024-25 school year, Pre-K/FS1, KG1/FS2, and KG2/Year 1 applicants must turn 3, 4, or 5, respectively, by August 19 of the school year.