Entry Requirements
 

Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Nationality Regulations

In accordance with Singapore law, the Canadian International School (CIS) may only admit students who are not Singapore Citizens (by either birth or registration). Students who are Singapore Citizens require approval from the Ministry of Education (MOE) before acceptance to CIS can be considered.

This requirement only applies to children 6 years of age and older. The application to the Ministry of Education (MOE) will be sent by the Admissions Office after the child has been formally offered a place at CIS. 

Canadian International School can accept Early Childhood Education (ECE), Junior Kindergarten, and Senior Kindergarten Singaporean students without MOE approvals.  

Age Guidelines

Minimum age requirements for the relevant grade level entry are in the table below. The month and date indicated is the date by which your child must turn the required age to be considered for entry into that grade.

While age guidelines are an indication of the age for each grade level, CIS will in exceptional circumstances accept students who are up to one year older than the grade level age. This is subject to approval of the School. To ensure age appropriate academic and social development, CIS will not permit students to skip grade.

Learning Support 

Providing support and services to all students (who meet our admissions criteria) is a goal at CIS so that each learner achieves and enjoys learning within the regular academic programme with minimal assistance or accommodation. While all students are registered in regular classes and academic programmes, CIS provides limited services for students with learning challenges. All applications are reviewed and whenever possible, any support services that your child may require are determined and communicated before the admissions decision is made.

If your child is currently receiving special services such as remedial teaching, speech/language therapy or an enrichment programme, please inform us at the beginning of the application process. CIS support programmes are compulsory if determined to be necessary for any student, by the outcome of assessment of that student. Graduation from the programme will be determined by school personnel.

English Language Requirements

• All new Grades 6 to 12 students, whose first language is not English, may be required to sit for the English Placement Test (EPT),also known as the Aptis test, through the British Council to determine their current English level. The cost for the test is $95 inclusive of GST for tests conducted in Singapore.
• Since the application fee is non-refundable, parents should apply to CIS (and pay related application fee) only when children meet the English entry requirement level.

English Language Learners (ELL) Enrolment Policy

Please note that the English Language Learners programme (formerly known as the English for Speakers of Other Languages programme) is mandatory, if after student assessment, CIS is of the view that the student requires this support programme. The following procedures apply to all applicants for whom English is not their mother tongue:

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Students entering the Early Childhood Education programme are not formally assessed for English prior to admission, and do not receive any English Language Learner support outside the regular classroom programme.

Junior Kindergarten (JK)

Students entering Junior Kindergarten are not formally assessed prior to admission, but are provided with ELL support through a needs-based programme. If the homeroom and ELL teachers determine that a student needs ELL teacher support, this information is communicated to the student’s parents. The student enters the ELL programme and receives in-class support and/or attends separate ELL classes.

Senior Kindergarten (SK) to Grade 6

Students entering SK to Grade 6 are formally assessed for English proficiency prior to admission. Testing procedures vary by grade level so that they are appropriate to the age of the child. Where the school deems it necessary, an English Language Learners (ELL) programme is required for students in SK to Grade 6.

Please note that there is limited space in the ELL programme, so application and pre-enrolment testing should be arranged as early as possible. Your Admissions Executive will provide full details at the time of application regarding the English Language proficiency assessment process.

Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6 ELL Designation

Students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6* are designated according to their level of English proficiency as one of the following:

ELL – Phase 1 and 2 

Phase 1 and 2 ELL students are students who have a limited ability in understanding, speaking, writing, or reading English. Intensive English support is necessary until the student develops a solid foundation in English. Intensive English support is provided where students work directly with the ELL teacher.

ELL – Phase 3 and 4 

Phase 3 and 4 ELL students are those students who are able to participate in most classroom activities with assistance. These students are able to speak with and understand their peers and teachers; however, they need additional support in order to further their English proficiency to an academic standard. Students at the Phase 3 and 4 level will usually be students whose mother tongue is one other than English, and who have previously been enrolled in an English Language Learners or English for Speakers of Other Languages programme in an international setting.

English support is provided weekly where students work directly with the ELL teacher.

*Please note that any student entering Grade 6 other than at the start of the academic year, may be required to test at Phase 3 and 4 level for admission into CIS.

Grade 7

Students entering Grade 7 are formally assessed and must have a Phase 5 and 6 level of English language proficiency in written and oral form, as well as an Phase 5 and 6 level of English reading comprehension.

ELL – Phase 5 and 6 

Students with a Phase 5 and 6 level of English proficiency show a high level of competency in English, requiring minimal support, but may not yet be ready to undertake Language A English. Phase 5 and 6 students study English at a complex level, either participating directly in the Language A class, or taking Language A with an ELL teacher.

In addition, all Phase 5 and 6 students attend ELL classes where students work directly with the ELL teacher. This level of language support is necessary to facilitate inquiry and students’ communication of their understanding of this inquiry. Students who are determined not to have the required level of English proficiency after assessment will not be considered for placement.

All decisions made by the school regarding a student’s placement based on their English proficiency test results are final. Please note that there is limited space in the ELL programme, so application and pre-enrolment testing should be arranged as early as possible. Your Admissions Executive will provide full details at the time of application regarding the English Language proficiency assessment process.

Grades 8 to 12

Students entering Grades 8 to 12 may be asked to sit an English proficiency test to determine if they are eligible for admission. This English proficiency test determines the student’s level of proficiency in English in written and oral form, as well as their level of English reading comprehension. Students entering Grades 8 to 12 must have a level of English proficiency, written and spoken, that will allow them to thrive in our mainstream curriculum.

Students who are determined not to have the required level of English proficiency after assessment will not be considered for placement. All decisions made by the school regarding a student’s placement based on their English proficiency test results are final.