The British School of Costa Rica

II)  PROCEDURES and REQUIREMENTS of ADMISSION:

II.a)  Consideration by the School for the admission of a student shall be based upon the satisfactory completion of several procedures.  Where appropriate, these shall be: i)  that the student’s parent(s) present a complete, signed, standard application form;  ii) that the potential student produces an acceptable performance on a grade-level appropriate, standard placement test designed to determine the student's present level of academic competence, principally in English, Mathematics and Spanish, according to the School's own standards, iii) an interview with the student and/or the student's parent(s) and iv) the presentation of certain documents that are required by the school itself, the Ministry of Education and the National Insurance Institute (see “DOCUMENTATION” below).

II.b)  The acceptance of a student into a particular grade level shall be based upon: i) the student’s age, ii) the quality of student’s school reports over (at least) the previous 2 years, iii) the grade levels already successfully completed by the student and iv) the results of the previously mentioned placement tests and interview.

II.c)  With respect to applications to enrol students immediately during any School Year or after the mid-year break (July/August), if there is competition for available spaces, priority shall be given to applications from families whose child(ren) need to continue receiving a British/International oriented education.

II.d)  With respect to applications to enrol students for the following School Year during the period of the annual matriculation process, if there is competition for available spaces, then the school shall give priority to applications in a manner that complies with the School Regulations (Articles II. i – iv) whereby present students and their brothers and sisters are given preference.

II.e) ENTRANCE AGE:  the Costa Rican Ministry of Education Regulations recommend that a child should have attained 6 years and 6 months in order to commence “formal” education in Primary 1 / Grade 1.  However, these same regulations allow for the admission of a child 3 months younger than that recommended age if the child has “sufficient maturity”.  These regulations are applied as a guideline for all grade levels to avoid any future conflict in relation to the later certification by the Ministry of the student’s results.  Exceptions MAY be applied where the student will not require this certification by the Ministry.

In general, the absolute minimum age for admission to Early Years 1 (Kinder) is 4 years and 3 months.  However, the School reserves the right to test all applicants for Early Years and admit them based on their level of maturity not simply their chronological age.

II.f)  LIMITED SPACE:  The School shall offer a limited number of places in each grade level and accept registrations until those places are filled.  The School aims to limit the maximum population to approximately 900 students.  This shall be determined by limiting class-size to a maximum of 18 students in “Early Years” (if there are 4 groups in the grade level) and 24 students in all other levels by opening a maximum of 4 classes per grade level in Early Years and Primary 1 and 2 and a maximum of 3 classes per grade level in Primary 3 to 5 and Senior 1 to 5.  Nevertheless, at the highest levels, students are not taught in class groups but rather in small groups for optional subjects whereby the number of students in these classes should be approximately 12 - 15 but never exceed 24 students.