admissions Frequently asked questions

In line with the Indiana Department of Education, children who turn 5 on or before August 1 of the school year are eligible to start Kindergarten.

Similarly, students who turn 4 on or before August 1 of the school year are eligible to start PreK, and students who turn 3 on or before August 1 of the school year are eligible to start the 3 year old program.* 

If you feel as though your child is better suited for a different grade level than their default grade level, you may notify the Office of Admissions at admissions@isind.org. Notifying the Office of Admissions will allow the Pre-Entry Visit facilitators to review in depth your child’s readiness for a particular grade and make a recommendation.

*If your child will turn 3 after August 1 of the school year, you may apply to for them to join once they turn 3, however admission will be subject to available space and careful consideration of classroom dynamics. If your child will turn 3 after December 31, you are encouraged to apply for the following school year. Regardless, all 3 year olds who start during the school year are required to repeat the 3 year old program.

Yes. All students need to be fully potty trained by the time they start at ISI. A fully potty trained child is a child who can do the following:

• Walk to and sit on a toilet independently
• Pull down their pants and pull them up again
• Stay dry and accident free all day including nap time
• Communicate when they need to go to the restroom 

At the Lower School, a learning support specialist is able to provide academic learning support. Learning support specialists are equipped to provide language support, classroom teachers are equipped to provide limited learning support, and a counselor is equipped to provide social and emotional support and more extended learning support, when appropriate. If your child has any health or educational needs of which we should be aware, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. In partnership with you, we want to ensure ISI is equipped to meet their needs and set them up for success.

Parent Portal is an online platform that specializes in online forms and checklists. You will be able to view your checklist requirements (i.e. birth certificates, immunization requirements, etc.)  and track progress as you complete required steps.

Parent Portal has a great parent support page (https://schooladmin.com/parent-portal-help/)

While items are normally updated within 24 to 48 hours, please allow up to a week for all documentation to be uploaded.  If you are uncertain or if it’s time sensitive, feel free to contact the admissions office at admissions@isind.org or 317-923-1951 Ext 334 to talk with one of our team members.

As part of the admissions process, all applicants 3 years old through Grade 1 are required to complete a Pre-Entry Visit. A Pre-Entry Visit is a 45-minute play-based assessment during which facilitators are looking at the following:

Is the child able to:

• Separate from parents without stress?
• Show self-control over emotions?
• Handle transitions quietly/smoothly?
• Follow directions?
• Clean up his/her toys?
• Play within a group?
• Take turns/share toys?
• Follow activities?
• Work independently?
• Stay focused working on a task?
• Speak with an understandable speech?
• Answer simple questions?
• Express needs or feelings in an appropriate way?
• Show independence when eating?
• Use the restroom independently?

Successful completion of these tasks does not guarantee admission. Similarly, inability to complete these tasks does not preclude admission. Simply, assessment of these tasks is used to gauge fit and readiness for a school environment/language-based program.

As an international school, we recognize that many of our prospective families live out of state or out of country. For Lower School applicants, the Office of Admissions is able to tentatively waive the Pre-Entry Visit / Shadow requirement, but may request a virtual evaluation in the case that more information is needed. In some cases, this requirement can be waived completely.

Multi-age classrooms, also referred to as mixed-age or mixed-grade classrooms, are classrooms where students learn and grow together across more than one grade level. Multi-age classrooms include groups of students that have an age span greater than one year. ISI utilizes multi-age classrooms in our Early Years Program for students age 3 until they reach Kindergarten. 

ISI and the IB embrace a child-centered and exploratory learning approach that actively involves children in the curriculum through genuine learning experiences. Recognizing that each student develops and learns at their own pace, IB schools have experienced success with multi-age classrooms that prioritize the holistic growth of every child and enable flexible and customized instruction. Within a multi-age classroom, children are provided with a secure and supportive environment to cultivate both academic and social-emotional skills. By emphasizing collaboration, nurturing leadership qualities, and implementing an inquiry-based curriculum, we aim to equip children with the necessary tools to actively contribute and flourish in their learning.

Class sizes in the Early Years Program will range from 14 to 16, with a teacher and teaching assistant full time in each classroom, creating a maximum student to staff ratio of 8:1.

Each year teachers and administrators will look at each cohort and create balanced classes that help support learning. While we may want a child to stay with a teacher for two years, there are times when it might be preferable for a student to learn from a new teacher or have different classmates. Having multi-age classroom options allows flexibility in student placement. 

The placement process at ISI will consider many aspects of a child’s situation while determining class placement; academic, social-emotional, personality, friendships, age, and connections. Placements will be made with the goal of creating classroom communities that are simultaneously balanced and diverse. 

The academic team is responsible for creating cohorts each academic year. Parents are welcome to give their input, but the ultimate decision is left to the Lower School Principal. If parents would like to request a specific teacher, they should contact the Lower School Principal. If the principal is able to make the accommodation, they will do so with the academic team at the end of the year. While ISI works to maintain consistency in the teaching staff and grade level assignments, teachers are on annual contracts and may move grade levels between academic years. 

The IB scope and sequence for each area of the curriculum is divided into four phases.  While the phases do not correspond to grade levels, we do find most early learners are in phase one of their development. Currently we have students in a very broad range of development with age specific classrooms. A few months' age difference in the life of an early learner can make a large difference in the benchmarks they are able to achieve. As we currently do, children who are ready for more challenging work will have the opportunity to learn at their own pace.  Students who need more support will not only learn from their teachers but also from their peers.  

Multi-age classes are very good for language learning. Children learn so much from each other. When students who are familiar with the language mix with students who are new to the language, teachers have to do less explaining of directions and routine because the younger children will follow what the older students model - allowing more time for meaningful activities and hands-on learning. If children have a good relationship with their teacher and stay with the same teacher for two years, there is a more emotional bond between the student and teacher. This lowers the affective filter (Krashen) and allows students to feel comfortable practicing the language. The older students are also very eager to teach the younger students what they know.  

Yes. A multi-age classroom presents a complex setting that offers advanced students enhanced opportunities, such as assuming leadership positions. When given the chance to instruct their younger peers, students demonstrate a heightened comprehension level. Research indicates a significant improvement in the academic performance of older students who teach their younger classmates. It is important to note that being older or gifted does not necessarily imply being socially and emotionally advanced. By participating in a multi-age community, students gain the opportunity to learn from and alongside peers who may possess social and emotional strengths, regardless of their age.

No, the curriculum will cycle every two years. Students who complete two full years in the early years program will complete 8 unique units of inquiry (four per academic year). The Units of Inquiry will be modified to be age appropriate for all students in the multi-age classroom. The only time a student will learn repeated information is if the decision is made to have a student attend a third year in the program.

Early years

• 8-8:15am  Classroom drop-off
• 8:15-9:00am Peer interaction / Circle time
• 9-9:30am Morning Recess
• 9:30-11am Classroom learning experiences*
• 11-11:30am Lunch 
• 11:30-12pm Lunch recess
• 12-1:30pm Rest time
• 1:30-3pm Classroom learning experiences*
• 3-3:30 pm Dismissal from classrooms

Our Early Years students also engage in art, gym and library lessons during the week.

*Classroom learning experiences involve educational activities that target the development of the Pre-elementary curriculum and the Programme of Inquiry through the different Units of Inquiry and the ongoing reinforcement of the attributes and attitudes of the Learner Profile

Kindergarten

• 8-8:15am  Classroom drop-off
• 8:15-9:30 am Peer interaction / Circle time
• 9:30-10am Morning Recess
• 10-11:30am Classroom learning experiences*
• 11:30-12pm Lunch 
• 12-12:30pm Lunch recess
• 12:30-1:30pm Rest time
• 1:30-3pm Classroom learning experiences*
• 3-3:30 pm Dismissal from classrooms

Our Kindergarten students also engage in music, gym, library and formal English lessons during the week.

*Classroom learning experiences involve educational activities that target the development of the Pre-elementary curriculum and the Programme of Inquiry through the different Units of Inquiry and the ongoing reinforcement of the attributes and attitudes of the Learner Profile

Rest time

All pre-elementary students have nap/rest time built into their day, and are asked to bring supplies for nap time (crib-sized blanket, travel sized pillow, small stuffed animal or toy for comfort during rest time).

We recognize that as students age, they may age out of naps. In these cases, students must rest and/or play quietly.

At the International School of Indiana when a class reaches capacity, new students who have been accepted for that class will be offered a place in the wait pool. When space becomes available the admissions committee considers many factors when selecting an applicant from the wait pool, such as gender balance, siblings already enrolled at ISI, socio-economic diversity, cultural diversity and family match.

As soon as a vacancy arises in a class, the admissions committee will consider students in the wait pool. Vacancies can arise at any time however the key times are March, June and July for the following school year. Once school starts we do not normally expect there to be any changes.

You will receive a telephone call, followed by a confirmation email. Unfortunately, the admissions committee will only be able to give a family a limited time period to accept a place. We encourage families to ensure they are prepared to respond quickly and have considered financial costs and any other implications that may arise in making this decision.

You should review the terms of the contract that you signed and contact the admissions office at the other school to clarify your obligations.

If you are still interested in pursuing a space for your student for the following school year, you should contact the admissions office in the fall to discuss your application. You will not need to submit another application but may need to update some of the admissions checklist requirements e.g. teacher recommendations, school records, attend the pre-entry visit or shadow day.

You may choose another language track in the same grade level if spots are available. If you would like to revise your language track choice, the Admissions Committee can confirm admission within the week to secure your student's seat in the alternate track. If you choose this option, you can still remain in the wait pool for your preferred language.

Yes! ISI offers an American high school experience rich with a challenging curriculum, student life opportunities, athletics, the arts, and a unique
Homestay Program that partners enrolled students with local host families!

We are dedicated to providing our international students with the programs and support necessary to adjust to life at ISI and in the United States – all while retaining and celebrating our students' unique cultural heritages. We work with students from all over the world to provide them the opportunity to grow academically and personally in our award-winning and internationally-recognized International Baccalaureate Curriculum.

ISI prepares students for a world where global boundaries are no longer barriers to understanding and cooperation.

1. Schedule a virtual visit with the Admissions Department by emailing admissions@isind.org.
2. Submit your online application form and checklist items found via SchoolAdmin.
3. Participate in an English Language Assessment.
4. Wait for an Admissions decision announcement.
5. If accepted, sign your ISI enrollment agreement.
6. Begin the F-1 Visa Application process.

The Admissions Department will walk you through these steps. If you have any further questions during the process, email admissions@isind.org and a member of our team will assist. 

International students seeking to extend learning beyond the classroom can enroll in the ISI Homestay Program. The program, which very few other U.S. secondary-education institutions directly offer, matches international students with Indianapolis-area families to provide a residence for the students during the 10 months of the academic year. 

Host families are members of the ISI school community - teachers, staff, alumni families, and current families -  who are interested in sharing U.S. culture & traditions with international students.

Contact: Natalie Wolfe
International Student & Faculty Advisor
nwolfe@isind.org or +1-317-923-1951, ext. 303