2024 Concordia International School Ningbo Spring Enrollment

CISN Spring Enrollment FAQs: 10 Questions Answered

1. What age groups does CISN admit? Are there any nationality restrictions?

CISN admits students from Kindergarten (KO) to Grade 5 (G5) for the Fall 2024 semester. The eligibility criteria are below:

Who can attend:

Children of foreign workers with valid residence permits.

Children of diplomats (may have additional requirements or exemptions).

Children of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents (may have separate criteria).

Children of Chinese citizens with foreign passports.

What you need:

Previous school records (if available).

Proof of vaccinations and health certificates.

Valid visa and residence permit.

Entrance exams.

2. What is the school's curriculum framework, and what are its distinctive features?

CISN utilizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) as its curriculum framework. This transdisciplinary program encourages students to be active learners, critical thinkers, and internationally-minded individuals.

3. What support does CISN offer to transfer students from public schools to help them adapt to the IB curriculum and school life?

CISN provides several forms of support for transfer students:

Entrance exams and interviews: Ensure proper placement in the right class.

Academic records review: Informs placement decisions.

Pre-enrollment meeting: Homeroom teachers and teaching assistants meet with students to learn about their individual needs.

Optimal teacher-student ratio: Allows for personalized attention.

Study cycle: Dedicated time for completing homework with support from staff.

Differentiation in instruction: Caters to different learning styles and paces.

4. Does CISN conduct regular assessments of students' academic performance?

Yes, CISN administers the MAP Growth assessments twice a year to measure student progress in English and Math. These results are used to improve curriculum and instruction.

5. What is the maximum class size and teacher-to-student ratio?

The maximum class size is 20 students. The current teacher-to-student ratio is about 1:4.

Top Faculty

We strive to employ educators of the highest caliber for our international programs. The majority of our teaching staff have postgraduate qualifications in education and an average of 5-10 years' experience teaching in international schools. Many are trained in inquiry-based and progressive teaching methods such as IB, PBL and Reggio Emilia approaches. Our teachers hail primarily from English-speaking countries and bring a diversity of cultural backgrounds and instructional skills. While qualifications may vary slightly between individuals, we select candidates with demonstrated student-centered philosophy and a strong record of facilitating learning through engaging methodologies. It is our aim to provide a stable learning environment supported by educators who are passionate about empowering global citizens.

6. How does CISN provide feedback to students and parents?

CISN uses the Toddle Family app for communication between parents and the school. This app includes:

Class homepage: Accessible through a QR code provided during parent-teacher meetings.

School calendar and important information.

Homework assignments.

Direct messaging with homeroom and subject teachers.

Photos and videos of students' learning experiences.

Parents can also reach the school by phone for urgent matters or by email for non-urgent matters.

CISN provides two report cards per academic term, each including written comments from teachers highlighting student strengths, areas for improvement, and personal development. Parent-teacher conferences are held four times per year to discuss student progress in detail.

7. What are the student arrival and dismissal times?

Arrival time: 8:00-8:25 AM

Dismissal time:

4:30 PM without after-school activities

5:30 PM with after-school activities

8. How much daily homework do students have? Is there after-school tutoring available?

Homework assignments are communicated through the Toddle platform and usually completed during the school's dedicated study cycle where students get in-person support. After-school tutoring is not typically needed.

9. Does the school offer after-school enrichment classes?

Yes, CISN students have access to a variety of after-school enrichment classes, including art, PE, music, STEM, and more.

10. Is there currently a junior and senior high school division? Is there on-site college counseling?

The Secondary School is currently in the planning stages. College counseling will be available once the Secondary School opens.