Admissions
What is the admission timeline?
For the school year starting in September: all applications received before January 31st will be considered together. This does not, however, guarantee an offer of a place.
Applications received after February 1st will be considered on a rolling basis subject to availability.
Applications received after March 20th will be considered LATE APPLICATIONS.
After May 30th, applications may not be fully processed by the start of the new academic year, especially if entrance tests and interviews need to be scheduled.
The final decision on acceptance is determined by the Director and is based on advice from the Heads of Schools. The School reserves the right to decline a student and has no obligation to justify its decision.
Is it possible to visit the school?
We are happy to organise private school tours. An appointment with the admissions department must be made. For safeguarding reasons, the Early Years building can only be visited on Wednesday afternoons or during school holidays.
At what age can my child begin to attend ISM?
For our youngest students, kindergarten class is for 3-4 years old. To be admitted to this class, a child must be 3 years old on or before September 1st of the current academic year. For more information on ages and grade placement, please consult the following grade equivalent tables:
Does my child have to be toilet-trained to start Kindergarten?
For your child to join our kindergarten morning class, he or she must be properly toilet-trained. This involves your child having the necessary control and being able to recognise when he or she needs to go to the bathroom.
Into which class will my child be placed?
Entry to a class is based on the child’s age on September 1st in the year of entry, taking into account previous class placement, school reports and any other evaluations. Grade Equivalents
Only in exceptional circumstances will a child be placed in the year above or below his or her chronological age group. Small class sizes and differentiated teaching mean that your child’s needs can best be met in the correct class / age group.
- Early Years: age 2½ to 6
- Primary School: age 7 to 10
- Secondary School: age 11 to 18
Does my child have to speak English?
Early Years and Primary
Kindergarten to Class Six (3 – 10 years): Admission is open to students who demonstrate the ability to access and benefit from a challenging international bilingual programme (English and French) in a mainstream environment. From Class One onwards, priority will be given to students whose level of English or French enables them to successfully access the bilingual programme.
Secondary School
Classes Seven to Eleven (11 – 15 years): Admission is open to students who demonstrate the ability to access and benefit from a challenging international English language programme in a mainstream environment, which leads to IGCSE and IB Diploma examinations.
What is the entrance test?
The entrance test is mandatory for any applications to Class 3 and above.
It is a diagnostic assessment that is designed to help students and their teachers understand how they learn and what their academic potential might be. It assesses how students think in areas that are known to make a difference to learning.
Does ISM provide support for learning needs?
The school has limited provision for students with special learning needs and is only able to admit those with mild learning difficulties who demonstrate the ability to access and benefit from the regular curriculum and programme with short-term assistance from the Learning Support Department.
How does ISM compare to other schools?
The best way for you to make that judgment is to see for yourself what our school offers. In addition to the extensive information provided on our website, we also publish regular updates on our social media. If you would like additional information about the school, please contact us at admissions@ismonaco.com.
Of course, we think that ISM is very special. Our academic results are excellent: we regularly achieve around a 99% success rate in the International Baccalaureate, compared to a worldwide average of 84%. However, exam results are only part of the picture. ISM students are well-rounded young people who care about the world they live in and who are ready to make their contribution.
Do we have to live in Monaco to apply to ISM?
No, you do not have to be a Monaco resident.
Life at ISM
What are the school hours?
The school week operates from Monday to Friday. Weekly Timetable
- Early Years: 08h15 – 15h15, except: Kindergarten 08h30 – 12h00.
All children finish at 12h00 on Wednesdays. - Primary School: 08h30 – 15h15.
All children finish at 12h30 on Wednesdays. - Secondary School: 08h15 – 16h00
All children finish at 15h00 on Wednesdays.
Is there a school bus service?
A school bus service is operational from the 1st start day of the local Monaco schools (early September). This is a dedicated public bus that collects our students from designated bus stops and delivers them to ISM.
Do you have boarding facilities or host families?
There are no boarding facilities and we do not arrange for students to live with host families. The IB Diploma programme in particular is very rigorous, and students need the support of their parents or legal guardians at home.
Is lunch provided?
An excellent self-service cafeteria provides a hot lunch every day except Wednesday, for students from Transition through Class 10. The cost is included in the tuition fees.
Classes 11, 12 and 13 usually go out for lunch.
Is there a school uniform?
Since September 2021, we have had a school uniform for all students in years K to 11. The school uniform can be purchased directly from Schoolblazer here.
For students in years K to 11:
ISM parents must buy the following obligatory uniform items online from Schoolblazer: polo shirts, jumpers/cardigans, jackets and the ISM sports kit. Long sleeved polos are available but not compulsory.
For students in Years 12 & 13:
Our IB students are expected to wear smart business attire to school. This should include white button-up shirts along with navy or black trousers/shorts or skirts. Shoes should be dark-coloured and closed-toe for both boys and girls, and skirts should be of an acceptable length. High-heeled shoes are not accepted nor are designer handbags.
PLEASE NOTE THAT A NEW UNIFORM PROVIDER WILL BE COMMUNICATED FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024
Our children are currently in a school system that is very different from ISM. How will you know what level of work they are capable of?
Before offering a place at ISM, the Head of Admissions, Director and teachers look very carefully at the applicant’s school reports and other documentation that our Admissions office asks you for. All applicants for class 3 and above will be invited to come in for testing, which is a diagnostic assessment designed to help students and their teachers understand how they learn and what their academic potential might be. It assesses how students think in areas that are known to make a difference to learning. An informal evaluation will also be offered to younger children.
Which external examinations and tests are offered at ISM?
The University of Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations are offered at the end of Class 11, following a two-year programme of study.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Careers Diploma examinations are offered at the end of Class 13, again following a two-year programme of study. Our IB Diploma results are published each year.
ISM is also an authorised examination centre for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) for external exams in music, singing and drama.
What extracurricular activities do you offer?
We offer an extensive extracurricular programme that includes creative arts, athletics, Model United Nations, music, student newspaper, choir, language clubs, chess, the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards and theatre productions.
Is there a Parent Teacher Association?
Yes; our parent community is very involved at ISM. Parents play vital roles, participating in the PTA and Advisory committees, serving as national representatives for their countries, organising events and joining the life of the school. Every parent is welcome to join and is encouraged to participate in activities.
Do you provide distance learning possibilities?
Our school is not a distance learning school. However, due to our Athlete-Friendly Education Centre (AFEC) accreditation from the World Academy of Sport, we do offer additional flexibility and support such as distance learning options and adapted timetables for our recognised student-athletes, in order for them to combine their academic workload with their sporting schedules. To find out more about our AFEC accreditation and the benefits we provide for student-athletes, please refer to our Accreditations page.
My child is allergic; how can ISM help?
ISM is a nut-free school, which means that no nuts, peanuts, or any products thereof are
permitted in the school at any time.
I already have a child at ISM, do I have priority?
Yes, we try to give priority to siblings. However, there is no guarantee.
What is your policy concerning absence / attendance?
Regular attendance is one of the most important factors determining success or failure at school. Absences are disruptive and detrimental not only to the student concerned but also to the rest of the class and the professional efforts of the teacher. There is a close correlation between good attendance and good academic performance.
Can my child bring his/her mobile phone?
Our ultimate goal is to help young people become responsible users of technology. ISM is on this journey, but it is clear that phones should not be a distraction to learning. The expectations with regards to phones this year are as follows:
Class 7 – 10: phones are handed in to homeroom teachers at the start of the day and they are collected at 16.00.
Class 11 – 13: phones are placed in a marked box at the front of the classroom at the start of each lesson.
Phones should not be used or seen in the corridors and communal areas of the school.
Do students have homework?
What technology do you use in the classroom?
At ISM we use GSUITE (Google For Education), as it allows us to move beyond the traditional paradigms of education and thus create a rich, dynamic and high-quality learning environment. Teachers and learners can work anytime and anywhere using a powerful set of tools; tools that allow for instant feedback and the tracking of progress to support personalised learning to take place.
“We use technology in a balanced way to support, challenge, personalise and extend learning.”
How do you deal with Wellbeing at ISM?
Student Wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us all at ISM, and this is evidenced by the fact that our school day is constructed around our four values: integrity, learning, caring and respect. Wellbeing is not only taught discretely through our Assembly programme but is an integral part of everyday life at ISM – in the classroom, on the playground, in the cafeteria…
Student Wellbeing encompasses the areas of physical, mental and emotional health. Healthy minds and bodies result in happier, more resilient children who benefit from a real opportunity to flourish in a supportive academic setting and consequently achieve their goals.
The wellbeing of our children is a team effort – together with you, the parents, we strive to resolve issues before they develop and to help students become more independent in managing their academic work and their social skills. Student Wellbeing is indeed at the heart of everything we do at ISM.
When is the school planning to move to the Larvotto (Testimonio II)?
ISM is planning to move in the summer 2024. Although we cannot guarantee the exact completion date of the construction project, we hope to be in our new facility for September 24 (Academic Year 2024/25).
