Admissions

Admissions Policy

Non-Discrimination Clause

Pinewood welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by local laws, provided that they meet the admission requirements.

English Proficiency

Students with limited English proficiency in Pre-K through Grade 5 are considered eligible for admission without pre-admissions language proficiency testing. Once a student is admitted to the school, a diagnostic test will be administered to determine the student’s English Learner level.

All prospective students in Grades 6 are required to demonstrate an A2 or higher level of English language proficiency on the scale of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), as determined by the online school-administered admissions test and interview with the principal.

All prospective students for Grades 7-12 are required to demonstrate a specific level of English language proficiency on the scale of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), as determined by the online school-administered Cambridge Admissions Test. Upon admission to Pinewood, students are placed in their respective English Language and Literature groups in accordance with their score on the school’s paper-based Placement Test which is administered in the first week of the student’s enrollment at Pinewood.

Recommended English proficiency levels, based on the CEFR, at the time of admission, are as follows:

Grade 6 &  7: A2 or higher
Grade 8: A2 or higher
Grade 9: B1 or higher
Grade 10: B1 or higher
Grade 11 American Diploma: B1 or higher
Grade 11 IB Diploma Programme: B2 English Proficiency is required to be eligible.

The CEFR serves as the comprehensive basis on which students’ language progression is measured. The placement of students is decided in accordance with their scores in mandatory end-of-year examinations and MAP tests.

Interview with the Principal

All prospective families for Grades Pre-K to Grade 6 are required to have an intake interview (in-person or online) with the EY/ Elementary Principal before a final decision as to their application is made. In the interview, the Principal will meet with both the parents and the children.

Age Requirements

There are minimum age requirements for admission to the Early Years Program through Grade 1. To be eligible for Pre-Kindergarten, a child must have reached the age of four by December 31. For Kindergarten, a child must have reached the age of five by December 31. For Grade 1, a child must have reached the age of six by December 31. For all subsequent grade levels, age and previous school experience will be considered.

Grade/Student Placements

Students are placed in the appropriate grade level based on English language proficiency (students wishing to enroll in Grades 6-12), previous schooling, age,  and availability, as determined by the Pinewood administration after a thorough review of application, documentation, and assessment results, the student will be placed in the appropriate Grade level.

Class Size: Under normal circumstances, class sizes, from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th Grade, shall not exceed 22 students. Classes are kept to a size that allows more than average individual attention to every student. Parents and staff are expected to understand the complexities and uncertainties inherent to the operation of a private, international school. The uncertainties of family movement, the need to ideally enroll whole families, and the need to recruit enough students to maintain budget targets make achieving exact policy figures a complex process. Because of these complexities, class size target figures may vary from one class to another at the discretion of the Head of School. Every effort, however, will be made to keep the number of students at the policy figure.

Student/Teacher Placement: Pinewood is not able to honor parent/guardian/student requests for specific teachers. Student placement is initiated according to a process involving time and careful thought concerning the best interest of every child in each classroom. Classrooms are heterogeneously grouped to mirror our international school community and society. In order to create balanced classes of students, factors that are considered include gender, ethnicity, English proficiency, student needs, behavior concerns, and special program needs. Please note that the final decision on all student placements rests with the administration. Parents/guardians of twins may request for their twin children to be in the same class or in different classes if possible. However, as stated above, they may not request specific teachers.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered fully enrolled, the following documentation and fees are required from all new students and their parent(s)/guardian(s):

Student Eligibility:

• Age Requirements: Students must meet the specific age criteria for each grade level as outlined by the school’s admissions policy.
• English Proficiency: As per the school’s language requirements, students may be required to demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency, particularly for students entering Grade 6 and above.
• Health and Immunization: All students must submit a completed personal health form, along with vaccination and immunization records, as part of the enrollment process.
• Previous Education: Proof of prior education is required for students transferring from other schools, with at least two years of records, and Apostille verification where applicable.
• Interview: All prospective students must participate in an interview with the appropriate Principal, which will help assess the student’s readiness and suitability for the school’s curriculum and community.
• Admissions Test: An admissions test is required for students applying to Grade 6 and above. This test will help evaluate the student's academic abilities and readiness for the grade level.

Required Documentation:

Each student file must include the following paperwork, which should be submitted upon registration:

• Birth Certificate (Translated and notarized stamp, if applicable)
• Parent passport or ID
• Student passport or ID
• Personal Student Health Form (provided by Pinewood, completed by parent and doctor)
• Student Vaccination & Immunization Records
• Proof of Previous Studies (minimum 2 years, Translated and notarized stamp, if applicable) - Elementary
• Proof of Previous Studies (minimum 3 years, Translated and notarized stamp, if applicable) - Middle & High School

Fees and Charges:

Each student's parent or guardian must pay the following charges and fees:

• Capital Levy: An enrollment fee applicable to new students only, from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
• Prepayment: A non-refundable payment due in the spring, which will be deducted from the upcoming year’s tuition. 
• Tuition and Fees: An amount that includes tuition and any other school fees as approved by the Board of Trustees.
• Transportation Fee: A non-refundable fee for students who choose to use the bus transportation service to and from school.
• Boarding Fee: A fee paid directly to Pinewood for students who choose to reside in the Pinewood student residence hall. 

Data Protection Agreement:

By submitting the required documents and fees, parents/guardians agree to the terms and conditions of the school's privacy policy, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and/or any future privacy regulations as defined by the EU and/or local legislation.

Re-enrollment

To ensure your child’s continued enrollment at Pinewood for the upcoming school year, families are required to complete the re-enrollment process each spring. This process helps the school confirm student attendance and secures a place for your child in the following academic year.

The re-enrollment procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Re-enrollment through the Athena Portal: Families must log in to the Athena portal to complete the re-enrollment forms for their child. This process allows families to update any necessary information and confirm their child’s attendance for the next school year.

2. Submission of Required Forms and Documents: Any updated forms or documents required for re-enrollment, such as emergency contact information or health updates, marital status, must be submitted to the admissions office. This ensures that the school has the most current information on file for each student.

3. Deposit Payment: Once the re-enrollment process is completed through the Athena portal, a proforma invoice will be sent to families. This invoice will outline the required deposit amount, which is 2000 euros. The deposit is non-refundable but is credited toward the total tuition fees for the upcoming school year.

4. Payment Deadline: The deposit must be paid by the specified deadline in order to confirm your child’s place at Pinewood. Failure to make the deposit by the deadline may result in the loss of your child’s place, as spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

By completing the re-enrollment process, families ensure that their child has a confirmed spot at Pinewood for the following school year, and that all necessary financial arrangements are in place.

Students with Special Needs

Pinewood offers learning support for students with mild to moderate special educational needs (see Learning Support under School Programs and Services). Pinewood values learning diversity. However, the school may not be able to accommodate all needs beyond the regular curricular, facilities, and staff capacity without assistance from outside professional services. Any such needs, as determined by the school’s Student Services Department, will incur additional costs to be covered by the family. Please see HERE for more comprehensive information about the Learning Support procedures and protocols.

Transfers from Pinewood to Anatolia Elementary

Pinewood parents interested in enrolling their children in the first form of Anatolia Elementary School should apply directly to Anatolia College by October 10th of the previous year and are required to pay the deposit of (1000 euro). Anatolia reserves three places for Pinewood students and enrollment is on a first come first serve basis.