Admission to Escuela Campo Alegre (ECA) is open to students of any race, religion or ethnicity who can benefit from the educational services currently provided by ECA’s programs. The school’s admission policy is guided by ECA’s purpose, which is to provide an outstanding English language, international educational program.
Admissions applications to ECA are available for children of diplomatic and consuls of foreign countries, children of employees of international organizations, and children of employees of foreign/international companies working in Venezuela.
Admission to applicants is open only to grades where space is available.
The school will maintain its international character with English as the language of inclusion in order to achieve our mission and vision. At least one parent or legal representative must be able to effectively communicate in English because the working language of the school is English and all official meetings and main events are held in English.
Admission is initially considered upon receipt of an online request submitting personal and financial reference information. ECA reserves the right to invite a candidate to subsequently formally apply to ECA.
Once formally invited to make an admissions application, acceptance to ECA will depend on satisfactory submission of all documents/student records from previous schools and successful completion of ECA’s screening and testing process.
The admission process becomes completed when the applicant accepts, in writing, ECA’s operating rules and regulations as well as meeting and completing all financial requirements and notices of acceptance by the Admissions Office.
ECA reserves the right for final admissions placement decisions.
To be accepted at ECA a student will demonstrate:
The capability to maintain normal progress in an International, college-preparatory program with support services as appropriate within ECA’s available English as an Additional Language and Special Educational Needs program guidelines.
Proficiency or having the ability to achieve proficiency (as determined by school-administered testing) in the English language.
Application Documentation
Before an application will be considered the following records must be submitted:
- Birth certificate of student or a copy of a foreign passport of the student and parent(s).
- One recent color photo.
- Academic records for the past three years, including IEP (Individual Education Plan) from the previous school if applicable.
- Standardized testing records. All students, applying for grade 4 and higher, will be required to provide standardized test(s) results as part of the admission process.
- Students will submit records of an internationally recognized standardized test that is externally moderated that includes language arts and math. ECA preferred standardized tests are: MAP, Iowa, ERB, ISA and WrAP.
- Any special evaluations done by a previous school or outside agencies (if applicable).
- Academic references from current school.
- Family references: The application must be accompanied by at least five family references written by existing or former ECA families.
- The application must be accompanied by an employer reference.
- International families may replace the family references with a company letter stating post, position, and which, if any, educational costs are covered by the company.
- Medical records including vaccination records.
- Parent statement form and a letter stating reasons for wanting to enter ECA.
- Permission to contact current/previous schools and teacher recommendation forms.
- If company sponsored, a commercial letter accepting financial responsibility.
- If not company sponsored, a company financial statement including a balance sheet and profit and loss statement from a certified accountant.
- If private payment, the last two years of tax returns.
Any document or school records that are not in English must be translated into English prior to submission. Both the original and translated versions must be submitted. Withholding any of the documents above may be grounds for non-admission or continuation of attendance at ECA.
The school may require additional documents at any stage in the application and selection process.
Academic Process
Admissions decisions are not based on rigid lines of academic performance but on a thoughtful reflection of our available human resources, our ability to provide high quality learning opportunities for all of our students, and the student’s and the family’s support of our school’s vision, policies, and standards.
Admissions Process
Upon receipt of the applicant’s records, the Director of Admissions determines if the academic records provide enough evidence for admission. The Director of Support Services will determine financial eligibility. Additional testing may be waived when a review of the academic records and full compliance with the submission of academic documentation from an international school with similar curriculum indicates proof of acceptable academic achievement. Regular applications may be accepted, processed, and admitted by the Director of Admissions in consultation with the Divisional Principal and/or the Superintendent.
The Admission process should take approximately five days after all documents have been submitted.
After evaluation of all the necessary information/documentation the ECA Academic Admissions Committee make recommendations for the approval of the Superintendent. The Superintendent reserves the right to make the final decision regarding admission.
Onsite Testing Admissions Process
The Director of Admissions will refer applications to the divisional counselors if the criteria above is not met. The counselor will coordinate further evaluations and make a recommendation to the Division Principal.
If the school determines that additional evaluations are required before an admission decision can be made, then fees for these evaluations are the responsibility of the parent.
The following circumstance may require on site admissions testing:
- No standardized test submitted
- Standardized test data is older than six months.
- Test results indicate the student is functioning a year or more below grade level. Students who have had ELL support in the previous school, or who are coming from a non-English speaking school will need an ELL assessment.
- School reports indicate academic or behavioral difficulties.
All students from schools with significantly different curricula or when records are unavailable must be evaluated as part of the admissions process.
Admission of Student with Special Needs
Enrollment for students with Special Education Needs (SEN) and English Language Learner (ELL) needs will be limited by space and resource availability. Denial of admission to students will occur if they require services or resources beyond the school’s ability to support. ECA reserves the right to make admission decisions considering the ability of our faculty and/or facilities to accommodate successful student learning.
A student who needs significant ELL support cannot be admitted to Grade 11 or 12.
In Nursery to Grade 10, ECA uses The Next Frontier: Inclusion in International Schools A Practical Guide for School Leaders to guide our admissions policies as related to Special Education Needs and English Language Learners (ELL) applications.
We recognize that the admission of children with special learning needs is complex, requires thoughtful professional judgment and needs to be undertaken on a case-by-case basis. ECA will not make decisions along rigid lines of academic performance but with thoughtful reflection taking into account our available human resources and the ability to provide high quality learning opportunities for all our students. There needs to be a complete application for admission including at least three years of progress reports, previous IEP’s and psychoeducational reports. In addition, ECA will contact the previous school with specific questions as to how the child functioned and how best to serve the child’s academic needs if admitted.
At the completion of the evaluation process, the Academic Admission Committee meets to determine admissibility. The Academic Admission Committee is composed of the Division Principal, the Director of Admissions, the Division Guidance Counselor and, if necessary, the Resource Teacher and the Superintendent. The Division Principal is responsible to provide any specific information to the Admissions Director on reasons for denial. Division Principals are responsible for admission decisions, with final approval in any disputed cases by the Superintendent.
After admission has been granted, parents must also agree, in writing, to supporting and providing any additional screenings / evaluation information and or providing outside services that the school deems necessary based on student performance and evaluations within the first year of admission or more.
Age and class size guidelines
| Grade | Age Guidelines | Class Size Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | Three years old by September 30th of the school year in which the child enters and be toilet trained. | 14 Students |
| Pre-Kindergarten | Four years old by September 30th. | 16 Students |
| Kindergarten | Five years old by September 30th. | 18 Students |
| Grade 1 | Six years old by September 30th. | 20 Students |
| Grades 2-12 | 22 Students |
The Superintendent may grant exceptions to maximum class size under extraordinary circumstances.
Priority
Priority will be given to native English speakers and proficient English speakers. In addition, special consideration for admission will be given to siblings and children of alumni.
Applicant Pool
In making the admission decision, the Administration will consider the enrollment capacity of the school. An applicant pool may be utilized to fill openings which become available during the school year in accordance with admission priorities and class size guidelines. The applicant pool will only exist for the period of the school year. Applicants must re-apply for a new school year. The Superintendent reserves the final decision on the admission of any student for any reason, including any case in which that student’s attendance is deemed detrimental to the school or inconsistent with the policies and standards of ECA.
Placement and Placement Testing
Questions regarding grade placement are determined by the relevant Divisional Principal in consultation with the Director of Admissions and if needed the Superintendent.
ECA strives to be a data driven school in order to improve student learning and instructional strategies. Therefore, a number of placement and/or diagnostic tests will be administered during the first weeks of enrollment.
Communication of Admissions Decisions
The Director of Admissions will inform the parents of the child’s admission status and grade placement.
Registration and Payment
The Director of Support Services determines corporate and individual eligibility and financial responsibilities. The Director of Admissions will provide the Director of Support Services with all financial documents required for the application process.
Any cost of additional courses or programs deemed necessary by the school will be responsibility of the parent.
The admission process is not complete until payment is completed. Without exception, students cannot start classes if the tuition has not been paid in full or a payment agreement/contract has been arranged for and signed with the Director of Support Services.