Admissions Policy

LEARNING DEFINITION

Learning is the ongoing process of constructing new understandings of the world through experiences and interactions. It consists of making connections, reflecting, and expanding on current knowledge through motivation, curiosity, exploration, experimentation, and natural consequences resulting in change in the way we think and perform.

DEFINITION FOR INTERNATIONALISM / INTERCULTURALISM

Internationalism means to welcome multiple perspectives, traditions and cultures from around the world to nurture, inspire and challenge our community and to build bridges of understanding.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The MEF International School Community…

promotes and cultivates global mindedness, developing an appreciation for individuals, groups, cultures and societies
is empathetic, striving to understand and learn from the perspective of others
uses reflective practice, striving for continuous improvement

Where learning…

involves making connections, and extending the learner’s understanding that results in action and change
is experiential, fun, authentic, and collaborative
engages learners in critical, analytical and creative thinking

Where teaching…

depends on the positive relationship between teachers and learners
supports individual learners, providing challenge and rigour
allows for learner voice, choice and ownership
fosters curiosity, exploration and experimentation
integrates technology to enhance learning
is innovative and creative, informed by research concerning educational practice

Statement of Aim:

MEF International School welcomes international students to its community. The admissions policy outlines the guidelines it will follow in admissions. The school welcomes students from different ethnic groups, backgrounds and beliefs. The school will enroll students for which it has the means to support emotionally, socially, physically and cognitively.

Rationale:

Families will seek enrollment for their children if they support the development of the school through their adherence to its mission, vision and goals.
The school aims to provide students with academic learning opportunities, appropriate social skills and emotional health.
The school will require official records of attainment and other relevant documents such as academic transcripts, confidential reports, and health records from previous schools and doctors.
Admissions decisions are considered in the light of: the best interest of the applicant, the best interests of the student body as a whole, Ministry regulations and MEF IS admission procedures. Final decisions are ratified by the school Principal after consultation with the Assistant General Manager in non-standard cases.

Guidelines:

Families contact the Admissions Officer to verify eligibility, visit the school’s facilities, and examine and discuss the mission, vision and goals of the school.
At application for enrollment (and prior to the student beginning in school) the school requires official academic records and other relevant school documents from previous schools.
Students’ special learning requirements must be declared at registration by the parents, including English language proficiency of the student/s whose first language is not English.
ny health and/or learning disability must be declared at registration by the parents, (e.g. hearing or vision impairment, medical, developmental or psychological conditions, or specific learning difficulties). All records from previous schools/ psychologists/ doctors must be submitted for assessment of a health or learning concern. All reports are required in English. Official translation is the responsibility of the parent. The school reserves the right to revoke enrollment of any student where a full disclosure of information was not provided at registration (in alignment with number 3, and 4 in this section).
Students will be expected to have achieved a satisfactory grade level standard at their previous school. Students may be asked to sit for an interview with a teacher and / or take subject placement tests. For admission into Secondary School (Grades 6-12) students will be expected to have a GPA of a minimum equivalent of 60% in her/his previous school.
The families will be appraised of the school’s policies by the Principals, particularly those related to student behaviour, reporting ill-health and consequent absence from school, the personal appearance/dress codes for students, homework and home-school communication.
Each new student application is subject to a non-refundable application fee. However, the placement fee or tuition payment should not be made until after admission is granted/confirmed. If payment was made prior to confirmation of admission but the student’s admission is not approved by the school principal, it will be returned fully minus bank service charges.
Enrolled students and their parents understand and accept all policies enforced by MEF International School.
No single enrollment should be at the detriment of other students.

Students with Special Learning Needs:

MEF IS will only admit a student, for whom it has the resources, expertise and facilities to provide a meaningful education that meets the cognitive, physical, social and emotional needs of the child. No single enrollment should be at the detriment to the class, student body or learning environment.

MEF IS seeks to accommodate a variety of abilities and needs; however, the school does not automatically provide registration for students with identified learning difficulties where specialist staffing or support is required. Students with mild learning difficulties can be catered for in a standard classroom with the assistance of the Learning Support teacher; however, the time available for the Learning Support teacher may be limited and students cannot be guaranteed the level of support that they may require.

Student Support Services cater to student needs through English Support, Learning Support, and Counselling.

Definitions:

Identified Learning Disability:

A student who has been professionally assessed and diagnosed with a disability (social, emotional, academic) requiring specific treatment and schooling. When a student with a learning disability is applying for admission, it is essential that the parents provide all medical, psychological, and/or educational reports and the Individual Education Plan in English.

Learning Difficulty:

Students who are finding learning difficult, requiring a wider range of methodologies to obtain success. When a student with a learning difficulty is applying for admission, it is essential that the parents provide all medical, psychological, and/or educational reports and the Individual Education Plan in English. When deemed necessary by the administration, an undiagnosed student may be required to obtain a psychological report.

Students with Health Needs:

MEF IS will only admit a student for whom it has the medical resources, expertise, facilities and ability to provide a safe environment. All admissions involving a student with health needs will be on a case-by-case basis, requiring additional documentation and pre-consultations with the MEF IS medical unit. All admitted students with health needs will have their situation monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

English Language Learner Integration:

Students for whom English is not the primary language need to be provided with support to develop and function successfully in the English Language in both the social and academic domains.

Class Sizes:

A maximum of: 16 / 18 / 20 students into Early Years (Reception 1, Reception 2, Kindergarten respectively).

A maximum of: 22 students into Grades 1-5 classes.

A maximum of: 24 students into Grades 6-12 classes.

Early Years Enrollment:

Students may enter Reception 1 on a part time or full day basis. Tuition fees are aligned for both part time and full day attendance. This status can be changed by speaking with the Admissions Officer on approval from the Principal.

Restrictions:

Admission priority will be given to full-time students.
To establish an English-speaking learning environment, no more than 6 students may be non-English mother-tongue speakers with the same native language.
Children need to be toilet trained (i.e able to identify when they need to go to the toilet and be able to request this).

Criteria for admission to a full time place:

Child settles after a short period of time, even if initially upset.
Child is willing to be part of a group and share attention of adults
Child is willing to be with different members of teaching and support staff
Child attempts to be independent in dressing and toileting.

We have a ‘drop and go’ procedure for caregivers and parents dropping children to school. This means that students must be brought to school and left in the care of the teacher and/or teaching assistant in the minimal time possible. We seek to avoid lengthy goodbyes so that students can settle into the classroom environment as soon as possible. The beginning of the school day is very important when settling children. It is therefore essential that children arrive on time so that they can develop class routines as quickly as possible – this will give them a sense of security and normalcy.

Student Placements – Academic Year 2023-2024:

Children entering Reception 1, Reception 2, Kindergarten or Grade 1 will be placed according to their year of birth, although previous schooling (as recorded on reports/transcripts) or home-country regulations may be taken into consideration.

Reception 1	(Children born in year 2020)	3 years old by 31 December 2023
Reception 2	(Children born in year 2019)	4 years old by 31 December 2023
Kindergarten	(Children born in year 2018)	5 years old by 31 December 2023
Grade 1	(Children born in year 2017)	6 years old by 31 December 2023

Depending on the number of students in Reception 1 and Reception 2, the school reserves the right to keep the classes separated or to combine them.

New student placements for Grade 2 through Grade 8 will be made on the basis of the child’s previous educational records and the assessment of the school.

Entry into Grade 9, 10 or 11 will be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account whether the school may adequately support students who require English as an Additional Language. Entry into Grade 12 is not usually recommended unless the applicant’s academic background allows for a smooth transition into the Grade 12 course offerings. The initial placement is tentative and the school may reassess placement after the child’s abilities have been thoroughly observed in class or through additional testing.

Important Notes:

MEF IS Academic Year runs from September to June with one school year completed in 10 months. Students entering MEF IS after the school year starts must submit their current grade progress reports/ transcripts for placement in the same grade level of their previous school. Students that apply for admission in the second half of the school year (January-June) and come from schools that follow the Southern Hemisphere school year calendar (such as Korea, Japan, Australia, etc.) are placed in the same grade level that they have recently completed (as of end December/January/February). They will start the next grade level in September, at the beginning of the next academic year.

IB Diploma Entrance Requirements:

Rationale for supplement: The IB Diploma Programme is a route of study for all MEF International School students who meet the specific entrance requirements particular to the IB Diploma at MEF International School, Izmir. These entrance requirements are further articulated in school procedures.

Academic requirements to study in full IB Diploma Programme:

Students must have passing grades in Grade 10 subjects that will be studied in the IBDP.
Students must have an overall percentage of 60% on the end-of-year Grade 10 transcript in order to study in the IBDP.
Students must have a First Language course (either English or Self-taught – see details below).

Other notes:

Group 1- Studies in Language and Literature: At the end of Grade 10, students sit an English exam (IGCSE Mock Exam or official IGCSE Exam) to determine whether English level is enough to access the full IBDP and to determine which English class is appropriate concerning English level. Students not able to study English A: Language and Literature must be able to pass an English B examination and be able to study another first language in a Self-taught course. Otherwise, such students will study in the IB Course (Certificate) Programme.
Group 5 – Mathematics: Only passing grades are required in Grade 10. To study in the Higher Level course, students must score high enough on a IGCSE Mock Exam or official IGCSE Exam.
IB Course (Certificate Programme): Students studying in the IB Course Programme will study 5 of the 6 IBDP subjects and complete the CAS Programme.

*IB examination fees are covered in the tuition fees (refer to the Payment Policy for details)