Admissions Policy

Students with limited English proficiency applying to Pre-K through Grade 5 are not required to complete an entrance exam as part of the admissions process. Upon enrollment, students will take a diagnostic assessment to determine their English Learner (EL) level.

All applicants to Grades 6–12 must demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Proficiency is assessed through a school-administered admissions test. Admissions applications must be completed prior to testing. Testing for Middle and High School applicants will take place on the Middle & High School campus at the time of application.

The recommended minimum English proficiency levels at the time of admission are as follows:

• Grades 6–8: CEFR Level A2 or higher

• Grades 9–11: CEFR Level B1 or higher (American Diploma Program)

After application reviews, you may be asked to provide supplemental documents before continuing onto the interview stage.

Early Years  & Elementary Applicants

All prospective families for Pre-K through Grade 5 are required to participate in an intake interview (in-person or online) with the Early Years/Elementary Principal before a final decision on their application is made. Both the student(s) and their parents are expected to attend.

Middle/High Applicants

Only applicants to Grades 6–12 who have fully completed their admissions applications and meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to proceed to the interview stage. Prospective students will participate in an interview with the Middle/High School team, which will be used to make a final admissions decision. Students are encouraged to complete this step independently to showcase their individual personality and educational goals.

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.

To be eligible for Kindergarten, a child must have reached the age of five by December 31.

To be eligible 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.

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 admissions 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.

For twins, students are automatically placed in separate classes. While parents or guardians may indicate a preference for their children to be together, the school’s standard practice is to separate twins. As noted above, requests for specific teachers cannot be accommodated.

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.

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 -12.
• Previous Education: Students transferring from other schools are required to provide proof of prior education, including at least 2–3 years of academic records. All documents must be officially translated and stamped; self-translations will not be accepted.
• Interview: All eligible prospective students must participate in an interview with the appropriate Principal. This interview helps 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.
• Health and Immunization: All students must submit a completed personal health form, along with vaccination and immunization records, as part of the enrollment process.

Required Documents for Admission:

• Birth Certificate (translated and officially translated, if applicable)

• Parent passport or ID

• Student passport or ID

• Recent photo of the applicant/student

• Proof of previous studies:

  • Elementary: minimum 2 years, officially translated and stamped (self-translations not accepted)

  • Middle & High School: minimum 3 years, officially translated and stamped (self-translations not accepted)

• IEP, 504 plan, or other learning plans (if applicable)

• Standardized testing scores (MAP etc.)

Pinewood complies with US and EU sanctions regulations for school Admissions.

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.

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 Parent Portal: Families must log in to the Parent 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 Parent portal, a proforma invoice will be sent to families. This invoice will outline the required deposit amount, which is 2500 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 and placed on the waiting list, 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.

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.