Admissions Philosophy & Policy

  • The International School of Curaçao is dedicated to achieving academic excellence, appreciating diversity, and guiding the transition from childhood to adulthood. Our Vision, Mission and Beliefs emphasize ISC’s commitment to educating our students to become global citizens who are collaborative, involved, respectful, and responsible.

    The admission process strives to identify a variety of students who demonstrate motivation and the ability to excel in our school system. In addition, we welcome students who indicate a commitment to learning and growth. In reviewing applications, the Admissions Office considers previous academic performance, assessments, teacher recommendations, and individual characteristics and talents.

    Our main goal is to determine whether the student can and will be successful at the International School of Curaçao. ISC will serve students whose needs are within the scope of the curriculum offerings and can be met in the learning groups of up to 22 students.

    Students with mild physical, medical, or academic needs can be accepted as long as it is determined that the school can positively serve their special needs. Please see Support Programs for further details. Applications for special needs students must be accompanied by complete evaluation reports from specialists in order to be considered. The International School of Curaçao is not equipped to handle students with severe academic or physical handicaps.

     The International School of Curaçao does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political views, religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background,  to exclude, deny, or grant any advantage for employment, or admissions of students.

  • The decision to admit a student to the International School of Curacao is based on the fulfillment of the  admission requirements, space availability at the appropriate grade level, the school's ability to meet the  needs of the student, and the student's ability to fulfill program requirements. 

    Grade placement of students is decided after evaluation of the school records submitted by  parents/guardians and is provisional until all the candidate's school records have been received. The  school reserves the right to change a student's grade placement after reception of these records. Students are placed in a grade compatible with their age, development, and previous school  performance. Unless admission placement determines otherwise, projected age at completion of 12th grade must be under 20 years of age. 

    ISC Age Guidelines – Student age by October 15: 

    Kindergarten 

    K4- 4 years 

    K5- 5 years 

    Elementary 

    Grade 1- 6 years 

    Grade 2- 7 years 

    Grade 3- 8 years 

    Grade 4- 9 years 

    Grade 5- 10 years 

    New students are admitted throughout the year, provided there are spaces available in the respective  grades and provided the applicant has submitted completed application documentation together with an  application fee of XCG.200 per student. 

    Students who are on the island at the time of application will be administered an admission screening  test. For students who are overseas, official school records and the Teacher Recommendation Forms are  carefully reviewed to determine eligibility for admission. These students will be tested once they begin attending school. 

    Maximum class size is 20 students for all grades. Consideration is given by administration to expatriate  families up to a maximum of 22 students. When classes are full, students will be added to a waiting  list and may receive a letter of provisional acceptance. As soon as a space becomes available, parents  of the students will be notified.  

    Admission of limited/non-English speaking students 

    Students who are not native English speakers will be enrolled into our English as an Additional Language  Program (EAL) to receive intensive instruction in English by our qualified EAL teachers. The following  students must enroll in the EAL Program: 

    • Student whose native language Is not English

    • Students studying in English for the first time 

    • Students who have not attended a school with English language of instruction in 5 consecutive  years 

    Admission of students with special needs 

    Students with mild physical, medical, or academic needs can be accepted as long as it is determined that  the school can positively serve their special needs. Applications for special needs students must be  accompanied by complete evaluation reports from specialists in order to be considered. Upon revision of  the application documents and reports, students may be advised to enroll in ISC’s Learning Resource  Program for additional academic support. After enrollment, special needs students continue to be carefully  monitored and assessed and parents will be kept informed. The International School of Curacao is not  equipped to handle students with severe academic or physical handicaps. If after enrollment the school  determines that it cannot serve a student’s specific needs, it will inform the parents that the student  cannot be serviced at ISC and make recommendations for transfer to special education or other school. 

    ISC also offers support for students who may benefit from counseling support for students with mild  emotional/social needs. Please see Support Programs for further information. 

    If a student requires additional support – including but not limited to external assessments, occupational  therapy, speech & language therapy, or tutors – services are at the parents’  expense. 

    The International School of Curaçao does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender,  sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political views, religious beliefs, family, social or cultural  background, to exclude, deny, or grant any advantage for employment, or admissions of students.


    International Baccalaureate Program Admission

    Admission to the Middle Years Programme (MYP)

    ISC is an authorized IB World School offering the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students in Grades 6–10. All students enrolled in these grade levels participate fully in the MYP, including all required subject groups and the core components: Approaches to Learning (ATL), Service as Action, and the Personal Project.

    There are no additional admission requirements for entry into the MYP beyond enrollment at the school.

    For students who join the MYP in later years (after Grade 6), the school provides targeted support to ensure successful integration, including:

    • A Welcome to the MYP session offered annually during the school’s Back-to-School Kickoff, with all new students entering after Grade 6 requested to attend.

    • Additional scaffolded support for the Personal Project, including more frequent supervisor meetings and structured guidance.

    Admission of students wishing to obtain the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma 

    ISC offers the IB Diploma Program in Grades 11 & 12, encouraging our  students to reach the highest academic standards; it is optional for students. More information about the IB Diploma Program and  course requirements is available on our website under Academic Programs/International Baccalaureate.  The policy for admissions of students to the program is outlined in the IB Policy in this same section. 

    Reviewed and updated September 25, 2025

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