Beijing National Day School International Department

1. Initial enquiry and information gathering — Contact the school and read the international-program pages to decide which pathway (A‑Level, AP, or IBDP) you want your child to apply for. Each programme has different course structures and university destinations; the school's international-curriculum pages describe the three tracks and their academic focus. Parents should note the office phone numbers and the school's consultation events (the school posts specific consultation dates and contact numbers on its website).

2. Registration / formal application — When the school opens applications it usually requires formal registration (online or on‑site) and submission of documents such as the student's ID, recent transcripts/grades, and any certificates you want considered. For previous intake years the department published specific formal‑registration dates and an English qualification test window — parents should watch the school website and official WeChat for exact opening and required documents in the current year. Keep originals and scanned copies ready because some steps are handled in person.

3. Eligibility screen and English qualification test — BNDS International typically uses an English qualification check as an early eligibility filter for international programmes; this can be a short written test or an online screening to verify language readiness for AP/A‑Level/IB instruction. Parents should prepare their child for reading, short writing and speaking tasks; also confirm whether an external score (TOEFL/IELTS/SAT/SSAT) can be submitted in lieu of the internal test. The school has in earlier years explicitly referenced an "英语资格性测试" for international admission rounds.

4. Academic review and/or entrance exam — In addition to language screening, the school considers the student's academic record (for domestic applicants, usually the incoming year's 中考 results or equivalent) and may require subject tests or internal exams for academic placement. The international department and admissions notices indicate offers are made after combining academic scores with the department's professional test or interview results; parents should know mid‑year/previous school transcripts and recent exam reports are commonly required. If you have strong subject certificates (competitions, portfolios), upload or bring them to the application so they can be considered.

5. Interview / group activity — Shortlisted applicants typically take part in an interview (one‑to‑one and/or small‑group) to assess communication, motivation and critical thinking; some cohorts have a group English activity component. Parents should ensure the student can speak about academic interests, extracurriculars and why they want that particular international track. The school posts interview schedules and how results will be announced (SMS, WeChat, and official website), so keep contact details current.

6. Offer, deposit and enrolment paperwork — If the student is offered a place the school will publish the steps to accept the place: confirm acceptance within the stated deadline, pay any required deposit/first instalment and complete enrolment paperwork (health form, code of conduct, household registration where applicable). Because BNDS operates its programmes under local education regulation, the school notes that some aspects (timing, required documents, and final registration) follow municipal rules — parents should keep the acceptance deadline and payment instructions to avoid losing a seat.

7. Course placement and class allocation — After enrolment the department assigns students to classes and elective combinations (BNDS uses a course/"走班" system for the international programmes), so new students often receive a provisional timetable and may need to attend orientation and placement tests for specific subjects. Parents should plan logistics for commuting, boarding (if applicable), and any extra pre‑term courses the school recommends. The international curriculum pages explain the three‑year structure and the expectation that students complete required graduation credits alongside the international qualification.

BNDS's official website and recent admissions notices do not publish a standard, public "waitlist" policy for the international department; however, the school's admissions communications and related municipal recruitment notices show that second‑round recruitment or "补录" (additional intake if places remain) has been used in some years. Practically, this means that if you are not offered a place in the first round you should: keep your registration active, maintain phone/WeChat contact with the admissions office, and monitor the school's official announcements (website and the department's WeChat account) for add‑on test or supplementary‑admission dates. If you want to be considered for any vacancies, ask the admissions office whether they keep a ranked waiting list and the precise conditions under which they invite candidates for later rounds — that is the most reliable way to confirm current‑year practice.