Eligibility

Age of Student

TIS accepts students in grades 1 through 6. Students entering grade 1 must be 6 years old by December 31 of the current school year in order to be eligible for admission. This age requirement may be waived for transfer students who have completed at least one term of school elsewhere.

Student’s Knowledge of English

TIS expects every student to function in English at or near grade level. TIS defines a “fluent English speaker” as a student:

  • who has been substantially educated in an English-based classroom, and/or
  • who uses English as the primary spoken language at home.

A student whose English skills are not adequate cannot be admitted. Every student who does not meet the above definition is required to pass an initial interview in English fluency with a teacher.

TIS may have to reject the application of a non-fluent English speaker for any of the following reasons: the unavailability of a teacher’s assistant, the teaching load of the staff, the size of the class, or the educational dynamics of the classroom.

Parents’ Knowledge of English

In order to honor the obligation to cooperate with the school in the child’s education, at least one of the parents should be capable of communicating with the school staff in English, discussing English-language assignments with the child, helping the child with English spelling and memory tasks, reading notes from the teacher, and holding conversations with the teacher in English.

Special Needs

TIS welcomes students with a wide variety of skills and abilities. However, students with special physical, academic, emotional, and/or behavioral needs will be carefully screened before admission. TIS has very limited resources to devote to children with special needs and may reject admission for any of the following reasons: the unavailability of an appropriately trained teacher, the lack of an appropriate program and curriculum, the lack of appropriate facilities and equipment, the teaching load of the staff, the size of the class, and the educational dynamics of the classroom.