Admissions Process and Information

Welcome to the American International School - Riyadh, also known as AIS-R!

AIS-R’s rolling application process allows applicants throughout the current school year to apply at any time. The application process for the following year begins January 15.

During the school year, the Admissions Office is open from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM from Sunday through Wednesday, and 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM on Thursdays.

Admissions Office Contact Information:
(0)11-459-7500, ext 305 or 306
admissions@aisr.org

Application Requirements

Applicants may click here to complete our Online Application, and click here for Application Fee information. Required documentation (as listed below) must be completed and submitted before a student can be considered for admissions testing and AIS-R’s applicant wait pool:

1. Student’s passport photo page
2. Student’s second passport photo page (if applicable).
3. Each parent’s passport photo page
4. All records from previous schools attended to include:
   • Contact information for last school attended, including teacher name, email address, phone number, and school email address (AIS-R will contact the current school in order to obtain a Confidential Teacher Reference. The Confidential Teacher Reference must be completed and on file before a student can be considered for admissions testing and AIS-R’s applicant wait pool.)
   • Previous year’s final report card in English
   • Current year-to-date report card in English
   • Standardized test records (MAP, PSAT, SAT, etc), if requesting an entrance test exemption (required for applicants in Grades 3-12 not residing in Saudi Arabia)
   • If applicable: Special Education/IEP/504 records, including psychological test results
   • Financial Clearance Letter (only if transferring from a school in Saudi Arabia)
5. Student and sponsoring parent’s iqama (if not available upon application, please forward a copy to admissions@aisr.org when issued)
6. Immunization Record
7. A company letter acknowledging sponsorship/employment
8. A Receipt of the non-refundable Application Fee
9. If a student is a Saudi National (PreK-Grade12):
   1. Family Book
   2. Ministry of Education (MoE) approval letter

Once an application is entirely complete and the Application Fee has been submitted, the applicant's file is reviewed by the AIS-R Admissions Office. A file will not be approved for testing if the child’s school application or records are incomplete, and/or prior records indicate a significant concern. At which time, the applicant will be notified by the AIS-R Admissions Office.

Considerations For Admission

The school makes every effort to accept qualified students. This decision is subject to academic entrance requirements, as well as enrollment and class size limitations established by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to limit student enrollment and deny an application if it does not align with school Admissions policy.

AIS-R teachers differentiate their instruction and support individual student needs to the best of their ability however, AIS-R does not provide a Special Needs Program for students with significant learning needs nor does it provide a gifted and talented program for gifted students. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, taking all available information into careful consideration.

AIS-R is NOT an allergen-free (nut, milk, wheat, fish, etc.) campus, we cannot guarantee that food prepared in our Dining Halls or food brought to school by students is nut/allergen free. Additionally, the learning environments support the natural curiosity of our AIS-R Eagles and therefore incorporates natural elements such as plants, soil/sand, flowers, and fruits/vegetables as well as the care for several live animals of different species to include but not limited to birds, lizards, and small mammals (guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, etc.). Should a child be allergic in such conditions, accommodations may be possible within our program parameters, but cannot be guaranteed. Modifications to the program such as removal and/or relocation of an animal(s)/natural elements (during student attendance) cannot be accommodated.

All students attending AIS-R must be fully toilet trained. In our efforts to uphold our child protection policies and to keep our learning environment clean and healthy, independent toilet training is a “non-negotiable” for all students.

Admissions Testing

Determination for Remote, On-site or Exemption of Testing:

For all students applying for acceptance into PreK, KG1, KG2, Grade 1, or Grade 2, AIS-R admissions testing must be conducted on-site. For students applying for acceptance into Grade 3 to Grade 12, AIS-R admissions testing will be either conducted on-site, at a remote location, or a student may be exempt. Admissions assessment results are not shared with families.

ON-SITE TESTING

• PreK-Gr.2 applicants complete an assessment and interview with the a Student Support Specialist. Students who qualify for English Language Learning, will be assessed by the English Language Learning Specialist if they are offered a seat.
• Gr.3-Gr.12 applicants complete an online assessment, writing assessment, and interview in the Assessment Lab. Students who qualify for English as an Additional Language in grades 3-8, will be assessed by the Student Success Specialist if they are offered a seat.
• Note: Parents are permitted to leave campus while their child is testing. Parents are also permitted to remain on campus in the Parent Lounge. AIS-R is a closed campus.

REMOTE TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Applicants in grades 3 to 12 who do not presently reside in Riyadh may be eligible for remote assessment. AIS-R is unable to provide remote testing for the following students as the application requirements include an onsite interview with our assessment personnel. The students below MUST have an on-site assessment for acceptance into:

• Pre-Kindergarten
• Kindergarten 1
• Kindergarten 2
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• ELL students (potential)

For remote testing consideration, the following conditions apply:

• • The child is in Grade 3 or above
    • A Grade 2 applicant may be eligible for remote testing pending the approval of the Director of Admissions and the ES Principal dependent upon prior school records/reports, standardized testing results, and/or the confidential teacher reference form. A file must have all required documentation prior to approval of remote testing (see “Application Requirements” above).
  • The parent has sent a completed application, all required documents and official copies of the most recent academic reports going back at least two years
  • Scores of a completed, formalized, proctored, standardized test within one year (e.g., MAP, SSAT, Stanford or PSAT, ITBS, CAT, etc.);
  • The student’s most recent school is fully accredited (i.e. an American accrediting agency or CIS) where the language of instruction is English. If the language of instruction is not English, the student may be required to enroll in the English Language Learning (ELL) program at an additional cost;
  • The student’s reports do not include any grade below “C” (or equivalent) nor any significant behavioral, academic/learning, attendance, and/or social-emotional concerns;
  • A completed Confidential Teacher Reference Form submitted from current school (AIS-R will send reference form directly to the school);

NOTE: A student who has requested remote testing and has been approved for remote testing may still be required to assess On-Site (i.e. incomplete paperwork; falsified information; inaccurate details, etc.) In such cases, the family will be notified and an On-Site appointment will be scheduled. Elementary School Students approved and accepted by Remote Testing is rare due to the validity of remote testing scores against prior school records.

EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS

For exemption from Admissions testing, the following conditions need to be met:

• The child is in Grade 3 or above
  • A Grade 2 applicant may be eligible for exemption pending the approval of the Director of Admissions and the ES Principal dependent upon prior school records/reports, standardized testing results, and/or the confidential teacher reference form.
• The parent has sent a completed application, all required documents and official copies of the most recent academic reports going back at least two years

• Scores of a completed, formalized, proctored, standardized test within one year (e.g., MAP, SSAT, Stanford or PSAT, ITBS, CAT, etc.);
• The student’s most recent school is fully accredited (i.e. an American accrediting agency or CIS) where the language of instruction is English. If the language of instruction is not English, the student may be required to enroll in the English Language Learning (ELL) program at an additional cost;
• The student’s reports do not include any grade below “C” (or equivalent) nor any significant behavioral, academic/learning, attendance, and/or social-emotional concerns;
• A completed Confidential Teacher Reference Form submitted from current school (AIS-R will send reference form directly to the school);

The principal will either give permission in writing for the assessment to be exempt (based on the above factors) or require an on-site assessment if one or more of the conditions above have not been met.

NOTE: A student who has requested remote testing and is initially approved for remote testing may still be required to assess on-site (i.e. incomplete paperwork; falsified information; inaccurate details, etc.) In such cases, the family will be notified and an on-site appointment will be scheduled. Elementary School Students approved and accepted by Remote Testing is rare due to the validity of remote testing scores against prior school records.

Final Application Review

After an applicant has been either exempt from testing or completed testing (either onsite or remote), the student’s application is reviewed by the divisional principal to determine acceptance, denial, or conditional placement.

Please note that an admissions assessment does not guarantee that a seat is available, nor that a child will be admitted, as availability of seats is contingent on withdrawal of current students. If a grade level is at capacity, we will maintain a wait pool for accepted applicants. The wait pool is maintained for the applying school year (August-June) only. Applicants interested in the next school year will have to update the required documentation and re-apply.

Students will not be admitted to a class until the tuition invoice has been paid in full and the child/family has officially been sent the “admittance” letter. If tuition is not paid in full within two business days, the acceptance will be nullified, the application moves back into the wait pool, and the next wait pool applicant is selected.

After Acceptance Before Starting School

Please note that the following MUST be completed by the Parent through the Admissions Office before a student begins school:

1. Student and Parent AIS-R ID issued (IDs are obtained at the Admissions Office);
2. Cashless system payment (as required; minimum SR 200 - the 15% VAT will be deducted from this payment);
3. A meeting with a HS counselor for scheduling (HS only);
4. Vehicle, driver, and nanny registration (HERE)

Grade Placement

AIS-R uses the following age (as of October 1st) guidelines for admissions:

Age	Grade Placement				Age	Grade Placement
3 Year Old	Pre-Kindergarten				11 Year Old	Grade 6
4 Year Old	Kindergarten 1				12 Year Old	Grade 7
5 Year Old	Kindergarten 2				13 Year Old	Grade 8
6 Year Old	Grade 1				14 Year Old	Grade 9
7 Year Old	Grade 2				15 Year Old	Grade 10
8 Year Old	Grade 3				16 Year Old	Grade 11
9 Year Old	Grade 4				17 Year Old	Grade 12
10 Year Old	Grade 5

 

 

AIS-R determines grade level placement for each student based on his or her age, previous schooling, academic level, and/or social-emotional development in adherence with Board Policy. The minimum age for application, acceptance and admission to Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten 1 or 2, and Grade 1 must be reached before the first day of October in the school year as per Board Policy. New students will be accepted and then admitted only after verification of the age has been received in the form of either a birth certificate or passport. Students entering Grade 2 and above may be permitted to do so even if they do not meet the age requirements as long as they have successfully completed the previous grade level at an accredited school. Enrollment may be denied if the student's age significantly exceeds the normal average age for his or her grade placement. All requirements for graduation from AIS-R must be completed before a student's 20th birthday. AIS-R reserves the right to reassign students to another grade level.

English Language Proficiency

Students' English language ability is assessed as part of the admissions process. Those accepted to the Wait Pool or admitted whose English language proficiency is still developing will be placed in an English Language Learners (ELL) support program on the basis of AIS-R policies and the availability of space. There is an additional fee for this program.

Elementary School:

Students are tested for but do not require a minimum level of English language proficiency from Grades 1 through the beginning of Grade 4. Following this, a limited language proficiency is expected by mid-year in Grade 4. Starting in Grade 5, and up to Grade 7, students will only be accepted if they test at the intermediate level of English language proficiency. ELL students who wish to join Grade 5 midway through the year may be denied if it is determined that there is not enough time remaining in the year to adequately prepare him/her for Grade 6. Students will be placed on the basis of AIS-R placement procedures and space availability. ELL students may be denied admission if it is determined that the ratio of ELL students to fluent English speaking students is too high and detrimental to the educational process of most students in the class.

Middle School:

AIS-R may admit students in Grades 6 and 7 with limited ability in English depending upon past academic performance, results of an English language proficiency test, a writing sample, and the availability of space in the appropriate grade level. AIS-R accepts students in Grade 8 if the student tests at the early-advanced level for ELL. However, students with limited ability in English who wish to join Grade 8 midway through the year may be denied if it is determined that there is not enough time remaining in the year to prepare him/her for Grade 9.

High School:

ELL students are required to have English grade-level fluency in order to be admitted to the High School, as there is no additional ELL support in Grades 9 to 12.

Mid-Year Enrollment

Students may enter AIS-R at any time during the year, however students coming to AIS-R after the first semester from a southern hemisphere school (i.e. where the school year ends somewhere between November and March may only apply to the same grade level they have just finished. In general, they should not advance to the next grade level because they would be missing the first half of that academic year. This would be particularly problematic in Grades 9-12, as students would be short credits and would not graduate on time - noting that the Ministry of Education requires that all students complete graduate credits prior to reaching their 20th birthday.

Course Requests for Grades 9-12

New students are not guaranteed their first choice of courses. Course choices are subject to the limitations of the master schedule, class sizes, and number of sections offered at a particular grade level.

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