Admission Policy – Diploma Years

Introduction

Fountainhead School is an all inclusive school which aims to provide high-quality educational experience through its IB Diploma Programme.The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education. It is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.The school’s admission policy ensures a fair and transparent admission system and avoids unfair discrimination on grounds of disability, gender, religion or belief. However, if the disability of the candidate hinders his/her ability to effectively cope up with the challenges posed by Diploma programme then the school may deny admission to such students. Further, the policy also ensures that proper admission procedure is followed in respect to each application received for admission.

Objectives of the policy

• To ensure that school gets the maximum admissions possible without making a compromise.
• To have a fair and transparent policy for all parents
• To make the admission process easy for parents and students.

Applicable to:

This policy applies to all parents seeking admission for their children at Fountainhead School.
Value (s) guiding policy:*(Please refer http://fountainheadschools.org/aboutus/philosophy)

1. a) Value Term: Fairness, Excellence
2. b) Why:

• Every student should get fair chance to get admission in school.
• Always implement practices that continue to produce valued outcomes

Procedure for admission

Admission process for the academic session 2015-16 is as under

Note : Please note that in case students fails to submit(inspite of several reminders) the documents(academic related documents such as Grade 10 mark sheet, pass certificate from the board etc) then the school will not give Grade 11 second/final term result to the students. Please note that the student will not be promoted to Grade 12 if he/she does not receive the report card of second/final term.

Eligibility Criteria:

For External Students
In case of candidates who have done their MYP he/she must possess certificate of completion of MYP (issued from their respective school).
For the above categories of candidates, the following criteria will be applicable:

1. Candidate must show consistency in his academic performance over the years. It is desirable although not mandatory for the candidate to submit a letter of recommendation from the HOS/ Principal or Coordinator / Vice principal of his/her previous school. To see the format for the letter of recommendation please click on the link below: Appendix 5  

http://tinyurl.com/nesnyd2
and/or

1. The academic performance of candidates will be judged on the basis of the mark sheet for those students who have completed grade X or equivalent from any recognized board of education and have obtained the mark sheet. In case, the students are yet to appear for the exams or receive the mark sheet, the internal examination results and/or the last two year’s academic reports will be asked for.

and/or

2. For candidates who have done MYP and do not have any internal examination in their school, they must have satisfactorily completed their individual/group MYP personal project (as per the report of their school’s internal supervisor)

and/or

3. In case of candidates who have done MYP and have appeared in their school’s final internal examination then they must have shown decent academic performance.

and/or

4. Candidate has shown active participation in extracurricular activities such as dance, drama, sports or any other form of art and has been recognised at the school or state or National or International level or at all the four levels and/or has received awards for the same. 

and

5. Candidate must have satisfactory behavioural record and should not have been expelled from any Indian or foreign schools.
6. Candidate must not have been charged on any criminal offence in the period before joining Fountainhead school.

Assessment details:
For Internal Students :
There will be no assessment for internal students. For admitting internal students in to the DP & for subject allocation, the Consolidated report on each student prepared by the school and the recommendation of concerned subject teachers (based on the internal assessment conducted in Grade IX and X) will be taken as a basis for final decision. Please visit Appendix 6(link mentioned below) for the format of consolidated report along with Grade descriptors.
http://tinyurl.com/pyghzqy
Based on the recommendations students will be offered admission as either:

1. As full fledge Diploma Programme student
2. or DP Course student

Also in some cases based on the needs of the students, the school may counsel the student to explore other options available outside the school for various reasons.
For External Candidates
All candidates who have done their Grade X from an Indian Board (CBSE, ICSE & State Boards) or have done IGCSE or MYP have to appear for an entrance test. The entrance test will comprise of the following subject papers:
English – The test paper will be designed to check the student’s ability in successfully meeting the requirements for SL level Language and Literature at DP
Maths – The test paper will be designed to check the student’s ability in successfully meeting the requirements for SL level Mathematics at DP level
and
Any one of the Group 4 subjects based on student’s preference. For example if the student wants to opt for Physics at HL level then he has to give entrance test in Physics. The paper will be designed to check the conceptual base of the student.
Each of the above mentioned papers will be of 25 marks and the duration of the each paper will be 45 minutes.
Selection Criteria:
For Diploma:
English: 70% minimum score
Maths: 60% minimum score
The candidate may appear for re- assessment if he/she feels that he/she can do better. There will be a gap of minimum two days between two assessment test.However if the student is not able to score(as mentioned above) in the  re – assessment test then the school will offer the option of Diploma Course for such students.The consequences of getting admission as Diploma Programme (DP) course student for IBDP will be communicated to the  candidate and his/her parents and their consent in written form will be taken for the same.
Note : Please note that in order to qualify for admission to DP the child must show excellent performance in previous grades(Grade 8,9 & 10) on a consistent basis.
Subject Allocation:

1. For allocation of HL level in English, Maths & Group 4 subjects : For allocation of HL in these subjects a high score in the school’s assessment test and high level of proficiency in these subjects (based on previous school’s academic reports). However the student may still go for higher level in the subject of his/her choice on the condition that a review regarding the progress of student in that particular subject will be done after three months and the student may be transferred to SL level in that particular level if he/she is not able to meet the expectations of HL level in that particular subject..
2. The Diploma Programme course students can either register for one, two or all three core courses (TOK, EE and CAS). However the final decision regarding the same will be made by the school on the basis of student’s ability and performance in the entrance test or his/her subsequent progress during the initial period of three months from the date of admission. The progress of the candidate will be determined solely based on DPC’s report on student’s progress and the report will be considered as full and final in this case.

Appendices

Appendix 1 Details of Orientation to IBDP

Knowing DP

• What is the Diploma Programme?
  • The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students. The programme, has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.

• Understanding the Diploma Programme core
  • The extended essay asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP subjects they are studying. The world studies extended essay option allows students to focus on a topic of global significance which they examine through the lens of at least two DP subjects.
  • Theory of knowledge develops a coherent approach to learning that unifies the academic disciplines. In this course on critical thinking, students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.
  • Creativity, action, service (CAS) involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Programme. Creativity encourages students to engage in the arts and creative thinking. Action seeks to develop a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. Service with the community offers a vehicle for a new learning with academic value. The three strands of CAS enhance students’ personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and enable journeys of self-discovery.
• Details of the DP curriculum
  • IB Diploma Programme students must choose one subject from each of five groups (1 to 5), ensuring breadth of knowledge and understanding in their best language, additional language(s), the social sciences, the experimental sciences and mathematics. Student may choose either an arts subject from group 6, or a second subject from groups 1 to 5.
  • At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at higher level (240 teaching hours), while the other subjects are taken at standard level (150 teaching hours).

• Quick glance at the assessment in DP
  • Students take written examinations at the end of the programme, which is marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks in the school, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners.
  • The marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students can also be awarded up to three additional points for their combined results on theory of knowledge and the extended essay. The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance across the whole programme and to satisfactory participation in the creativity, action, service requirement. The highest total that a Diploma Programme student can be awarded is 45 points.
  • Assessment is criterion-related, which means student performance is measured against pre-specified assessment criteria based on the aims and objectives of each subject curriculum, rather than the performance of other students taking the same examinations. The range of scores that students have attained remains statistically stable, and universities value the rigour and consistency of Diploma Programme assessment practice.
• Why to opt for DP?
  • The Diploma Programme prepares students for effective participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society as they:
    • develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
    • acquire breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, studying courses from 6 subject groups
    • develop the skills and a positive attitude toward learning that will prepare them for higher education
    • study at least two languages and increase understanding of cultures, including their own
    • make connections across traditional academic disciplines and explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique theory of knowledge course
    • undertake in-depth research into an area of interest through the lens of one or more academic disciplines in the extended essay.
    • enhance their personal and interpersonal development through creativity, action and service.

Appendix 2 Interaction with DP Coordinator

The DP Coordinator will interact with the student and/or parents and will ask the following questions:
Q.1 Are you aware of the expectations regarding IBDP programme?
Why to do IBDP? , Why at Fountainhead?
Q.2 What are your career plans?
Q.3 What are your interest areas? Do you wish to elaborate about any achievement(s) of yours?
Q.4 Which field would you like to excel in?
Based on the above interaction the student will be suggested about the possible combination of subjects for IBDP.
Please visit the following link for experiencing the reach and recognition of IB
http://ibo.org/recognition/documents/IBRecognitionbrochure_FinalV2.pdf

Appendix 3 Stepwise detailed description of Admission process

Admission process for the academic session 2015-16 is as under:
Step 1: To meet admission counsellor for an orientation of Diploma Programme and to watch DP Orientation videos
The parents along with candidate will be required to meet admission counsellor . The purpose of this meeting will be to understand parent’s view regarding their child’s admission in Fountainhead School & also for an orientation to the Diploma Programme. After orientation candidate along with parents will be watching few videos related to IBDP (this will ensure better understanding of the programme)
Step 2: Student will do research on Why to do IBDP? , Why at Fountainhead?, How IBDP will be useful for their career?.
Students will be provided with links to IB website, IBTV, Student service site.Students will be required to mail/or bring a hard copy of their response in not more that 100-150 words.Students will be given one week time to do research and respond to the question
Step 3: Submission of online inquiry form:

• As a part of online admission process, it is compulsory to fill up the online I a query form.
• You need to log on to our website www.fountainheadschools.org and click Admissions=> Admissions=> Inquiry Form.
• Fill up the complete inquiry form with all the details and submit online.

Step 4: Payment for admission process and collect admission packet from school
Make the payment for admission process at the schools front desk and collect your Admission packet.
The Admission Packet contains the following:

1. Admission Process (that you are reading)
2. Fee Structure
3. Admission Form Request
4. Parents Undertaking Handbook
5. Parents Undertaking
6. Bank Slip

Step 5: Submission of online admission form
A – Submission of online admission form – Grade Nu – 9

• A username and password will be generated after 24 hours.  This username and password will be sent to you through SMS and email.
• After receiving the user name and password please log on to the school website www.fountainheadschools.org and click Admissions=> Admissions=> Admission Form OR on the top right corner there is a select box from which you need to select Inquiry/Admission Login. A new window will open in which you will have to enter the username and password given to you.
• Without the username and password, admission form cannot be accessed.

• Fill the complete admission form with all the details and submit online.

B – Submission of online admission form – Grade 11

• Link to fill up online admission form will be forwarded on your email id.
• Fill the complete admission form with all the details and submit online.

Step 6: Submission of all documents (hard copy)
*Please submit the following, back to school in the same envelope given to you:

1. Admission Form Request with complete details, signed by parent.
2. Attested photocopy of Birth Certificate
3. Four passport size photographs and one family photograph (parents, child & siblings only)
4. Parents Undertaking signed by both parents.
5. Previous two year’s Report Card/mark sheets (G 9 & 10)
6. Original School Leaving Certificate (Please submit it before 30th April).

Step 7 : Entrance test & formal interaction with the IBDP Coordinator. This will also include subject selection by the student. Communication of the results; admission status and subject recommendation.
Candidate will be required to give an entrance test.The candidate will receive a call for entrance test within 7 working days, after submission of all documents. After the test the candidate will have a formal interaction with DP Coordinator (Please see Appendix 3 for details). Candidate will also have one to one interaction with the DP subject teachers. On the basis of interaction with DP Coordinator and feedback from DP teachers, candidate and his/her parents will be assisted by DP Coordinator in making an appropriate subject choice which will best suit his/her potential, level of interest and also help him/her in progressing towards a right career path.
The students can select from the following subject groups:

Step 8: Deposition of fees & Confirmation of admission and collection of fee receipt
After the announcement of results payment of one time admission fees and security deposit to be done within 5 working days of announcement of result. After this parents will deposit fees.HDFC bank deposit slips will be given to the form itself to ensure that parents need not come to school more than twice.

Appendix 4 Waitlist Criteria for Admission

Admissions will be granted as per below given criteria
Basic Criteria

Categories

Important Note:
The school will not ask for any donation for granting admissions. The fee structure is transparent & all of it needs to be accordingly communicated.
The admission process does not ask for any religious/caste//political/social affiliations & is agnostic to this. Parents too must be aware of that same applies to them. We do not want any interference in this matter.

Appendix 5 Format for Letter of Recommendation

Date :______________
Admissions, Fountainhead School
Diploma Programme
Surat, Gujarat
Dear DP Coordinator,
I am writing on this day(Day, Date, Year) to recommend (Name of the candidate) for admission into the Fountainhead school’s Diploma Programme. I have known (Name of the candidate) for _____________months /years, and he/she has studied in my school for __________months/years.
Views about the candidates on Sincerity level, Timely Submissions, Active participation in school’s activities, discipline record, Academic performance, Ability to work independently and in teams and any other relevant information.
Name of the Person(Writing recommendation) :
Designation_________________________
Contact No._________________________

Appendix 6 Format of Consolidated Report on each student

Grade :
1 – Not Satisfactory
2 – Average
3- Good
4 – Very Good
The Grade descriptors for the above purpose are as follows:

Middle School Report Card ___________

Subject Teacher Comments:
Grade Range:

Effort Grading

Grade :
1 – Not Satisfactory
2 – Average
3- Good
4 – Very Good
The Grade descriptors for effort grading is as follows: