Al-Bayan Bilingual School

1. Entrance evaluation purpose. Entrance evaluations determine whether the student is developmentally ready for school and has the basic skills required to enter the requested grade. English, Arabic, and Math evaluations assess reading, writing, and oral language abilities, as well as basic math skills. These evaluations are designed by the school to reflect the curriculum and the demands of a bilingual program. The evaluations help establish appropriate placement within the grade level.
2. Evaluation dates and scheduling. After meeting all the basic qualifications, the Admissions Office informs parents about suitable dates and times for the evaluation of their children. The scheduling is coordinated by the Admissions Office and communicated to families. The process ensures dates align with the admissions timeline for each grade level.
3. Evaluation fees. All evaluation fees are non-refundable unless cancellation is made by parents five business days prior to the evaluation date. The policy applies to all applicants undergoing the admissions evaluation. Families should be aware of the cancellation window when planning their participation.
4. Re-evaluation. With the Principal's approval, a maximum of one re-evaluation will be allowed for a student, and additional fees may apply. The option provides another opportunity to display the required competencies if initial results suggest insufficient readiness. Re-evaluation decisions are made based on the principal's assessment and related documentation.
5. Evaluation decision. The evaluation decision is made by the Principal in each division after careful review of the results, recommendations from examining teachers, and the student's previous academic and behavior records. The process integrates multiple sources of information to determine suitability for admission. Final decisions reflect the school's assessment of readiness and placement.
6. Evaluation results. Grades 1-12 evaluation results are normally provided to parents three working days after the evaluation. Preschool results are communicated around the beginning of March, following interviews. All results are issued through the Admissions Office and are kept confidential.
7. Confidentiality. BBS reserves the right to deny admissions to any student without stating reasons and to maintain the confidentiality of references from the student's previous school. The policy supports safeguarding the privacy of applicants and their families. Decisions are made in the school's best interest, considering the presented information.
8. Alternative grade level. If a student does not pass the entrance evaluation for the grade applied for, BBS may offer acceptance in a lower grade level based on previous records, age, and observed abilities. The family makes the final decision to accept or deny this offer. Once accepted, the family cannot request a change in grade.
9. Pre-K interviews. There are no formal interviews for Pre-K, but new families must book a Meet & Greet as part of enrollment. Sessions are conducted weekly in February and may continue depending on placement availability, with each session lasting about 30 minutes. Admissions priorities and seat availability govern conditional acceptance, and final results are announced by early March.
10. Preschool interviews (KG1 and KG2). KG children are interviewed in small group settings and individually in English and Arabic. The interviews assess social, emotional, speech, language, and fine motor development. Interviews run weekly in February, are 45–50 minutes long, and may continue depending on placement availability.
11. Elementary entrance evaluations (Grades 1-5). Students seeking admission to Elementary are evaluated in Arabic, English, and Math. Evaluations measure whether the student can meet grade-level expectations in the current grade to progress to the next. Evaluations are typically administered in February through August, depending on placement availability.
12. Middle School entrance evaluations (Grades 6-8). Students entering Middle School sit for Arabic paper-based and English/Math computer-based assessments (IDAT) and participate in a counselor interview. Eligibility is determined from these results together with information and report cards from previous schools.
13. High School entrance evaluations (Grades 9-12). High School entrants undergo a more rigorous Arabic assessment and IDAT in English and Math. Students must meet standard requirements and have prior academic/behavior records reviewed to be considered for admission. The Guidance Counselor consults with new students and parents to select courses for the High School diploma, noting that credits from previous schools are attached to the transcript but not transferred; minimum graduation requirements must be met. New students are not encouraged to apply for 12th grade admissions. Entrance evaluations are typically administered monthly throughout the year.
14. Entrance evaluation content. Entrance Evaluation Content is available to parents in PDF format for download/printing, with grade-by-grade links to applying guides for each level.