EL Genesis Admissions Policy

Mission Statement:

“To develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring learners who contribute positively to their communities”

Admission to the School

Key Understandings

§  The school will observe all applicable regulations mandated by the Chinese Educational authorities.

§  This policy has the approval of the school’s Board of Director.

§  EL Genesis is intended to serve the needs of students from the international and globally minded families living in China.

§  EL Genesis strives for an international mix of students who represent a diversity of culture, religion and nationality.

§  The Board of Directors believes in the principle of equality in educational opportunity, so that every child, regardless of race, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, language or cultural background, is given the maximum opportunity for educational development.

Class Sizes

§  Nursery - Kindergarten - 18 students

§  Target number classes per grade level – 4

§  In special circumstances class sizes may have a tolerance level of up to two additional students giving a maximum of 20 students per class as determined by the Head of School.

Admissions Regulations

Age of Admission

The school admits students from age of two through six. Students must be at least two years old by October 31^st in the year they enter the school. Admission of students outside this age band can be made only with the written approval of the Head of School.

Academic Potential

In order to maintain the overall academic quality of the school, an assessment of the academic and learning potential of applicants will be part of the process of admissions. This will vary from nursery through to kindergarten where the focus will be on developmental potential based on age-appropriate skills.

In some instances, the assessment period for determining admissions may be extended to allow the school to determine a more informed profile of the student. Parents will be informed if their child is being admitted on a probationary status to allow for an extended admissions period. 

Kindergarten School Guidelines

§  Kindergarten students are mainly assessed regarding readiness for the programme. Age criteria is critical. Assessments include social awareness and physical (fine and gross motor) skills, understanding instructions in their own language (with clues) and ability to work in a group (social skills).

§  Records from previous schools will be considered. 

§  Levels of English, Chinese and Mathematics to be assessed through differentiated tasks per level. 

Previous School Records

§  Records/transcripts must be secured from the previous school. Included with this information must be a statement as the student’s behavior and attendance.

Medical Information:

§  School medical forms will be issued to parents and must be completed and returned to the school promptly.

§  Any medical related issues that has the potential to impact the student’s education, socially or academically, should be brought to the attention during the Admissions Process.

§  The school may reject a student if it feels that a medical condition may prevent the student from benefiting from the program.

§  If medical information is withheld from the school, which affects the student’s ability to perform normal daily learning, or has negative social impact within the school, then the school reserves the right to retract a student’s enrollment. 

Other Factors influencing Admission

The school will give special consideration to the following:

§  Students coming from an international background or whose families can demonstrate an international perspective, which would be an asset to the school.

§  Children of families linked to international organisations.

§  Applicants whose ethnicity would add to the cultural, national and linguistic diversity of the school.

§  Applicants whose siblings are currently enrolled or who are applying for enrollment

§  Applicants with special abilities in the performing, visual or creative arts or sport.

Students with Special Educational Needs

§  The school is not staffed or equipped to educate students with severe learning or physical disabilities. The school will not accept students whose needs, in the opinion of the Head of School cannot be adequately met within the existing staffing or facilities.

§   Students with some special needs may be admitted if the school judges that the student’s needs can be catered for within the existing learning programme.

Priority Applications

The school will uphold the principle of equal educational opportunities but reserves the right to give priority to certain applicants on a case-by-case basis. In such instances, the Founder may waive the restrictions for the purposes of the overall interests of the EL Genesis. 

Students of full-time teaching staff, having met normal admissions criteria, shall be admitted subject to any contractual conditions.

Placement in Year/Grade Level

§  Applicants may be considered for admission to a Year/Grade level, which is appropriate for their physical age, and their previous educational background. In general, students are placed with their age cohort, but consideration for other placements will be increasingly considered the higher the grade level (e.g., a student who comes from another school and has already completed a grade even though the age of the student is younger than typical EL Genesis students in a given grade.).

§  At a later stage, when the abilities of the student have been more thoroughly observed, the school, through the Head of School or designated Principal, may advise a change of grade. Such decisions will be managed with the full knowledge of the student’s parents.

Admissions Protocols

Applications for Admissions are accepted throughout the year. Admissions procedures are as follows:

§  Initial contact is made through the Admissions Department.

§  The Admissions Department will arrange for an initial meeting with the parents and arrange for a tour of the school’s facilities.

§  On the receipt of the completed application forms and supporting documentation plus the Student Assessment fee, the Admissions Office will arrange for the student to visit for the purposes of Assessment testing and a meeting with the Principal.

§  The outcome of any assessment is confirmed by the Principal and Head of School and relayed to the Admissions Department. Admissions Department sends an “Admissions Meeting Memo with Parents” to the receiving Principal.

§  If the assessment outcome is positive, acceptance into the school is confirmed by the Admission Department to the parents in writing. Class placement is determined and communicated to the parents at this stage. 

§  The actual starting date is confirmed with the Principal.

§  The Admissions Department arranges to sign the Agreement with parents, which includes the Refund Agreements.

§  On receipt of fees paid the student can start at the school. 

§  Two working days’ notice is given prior to a student commencing at the school. 

§  A new student is subject to the schools’ internal protocols related to welcoming new students.

Roles and Responsibilities in the Admissions Process

The Head of School

Overall responsibility for the Admissions process but will delegate the process to either of the Principals and the Head of Admissions.

The Head of Admissions will ensure:

§  That all admissions enquiries are managed professionally

§  Prepare the Admissions Meeting Memo with parents.

§  All applications forms have been completed correctly.

§  All admissions paperwork bears the applicant’s full name. 

§  Assessment fees have been paid prior to Assessment being carried out.

§  Prospective parents have all information (including a tour) of the school prior to having to make a decision.

§  All transcripts, reports and statements of support are received from the previous school and made available to the respective Principal prior to acceptance.

§  The assessment interview/schedule is confirmed with the respective Principal

§  Fees and charges have been invoiced and payment received by the school prior to the admission of the student.

§  All of the applicant’s details have been entered on the school’s Information System.

§  Medical details are received and entered into the Operations System

§  The applicants have been informed, in writing, of the outcomes of the application assessment and possible commencement dates.

§  Inform the Finance Department when an applicant is accepted.

§  Inform the respective Principal and faculty of the applicants starting date.

§  Two working days’ notice is provided for the teachers and the Counselling Department to prepare for the arrival of the student.

Student Attendance

§  Every step possible should be taken to ensure that students attend class on a regular basis.

§  Students who miss more than 10% (18 school days) of a year/grade level may be asked to repeat it.

Student Withdrawal

§  If a student is to be withdrawn from the school a formal Withdrawal Form should be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office.

§  Any refund due will be met in accordance with the school’s Refund Policy.

§  The Admissions Department will inform the school administration of any withdrawal in a timely and professional manner.

Student References

§  Requests for student references, letters of introduction, confidential reports and academic transcripts should be sent directly to the school’s Student Services

§  The Counsellor will, if need be, ascertain from parents the exact nature and extent of the student’s requirements before taking steps to meet them.

Review Process: Policies are to be reviewed at the commencement of each academic year involving a team of returning and new teachers under the supervision of respective Principals.