St. Michael's International School
 

Admissions Policy

General Admissions Policy

St. Michael's International School is dedicated to serving the foreign community primarily in the Kobe and Osaka area,pursuing an education guided bythe English National Curriculum. Admission applications are reviewed and all decisions made by the School are final.

                                                           

Children accepted to St. Michael’s International School are expected to show:

  • The ability to function in an English Language and Learning environment.
  • The appropriate level of educational aptitude and skills required at each year level.  St. Michael's International School will accept children with Learning Difficulties if we feel that we can support them and provide a meaningful education for them. Admission for students with Learning Difficulties or Special Needs is on a case-by-case basis.

 

Application Procedure

  • Most children are admitted in August, but if vacancies exist the School will normally admit children throughout the course of the year.
    • Complete theApplication Form.This can either be collected from the School or downloaded from the School website Click here to download . 
    • Send the Application Form together with a copy of the child’s passport or birth certificate.  A copy of all school records andtest results(if applicable)mustaccompany the Application Form.
    • The Application Fee of ¥20,000must be submitted at the time of application.  This fee is non-refundable. 
    • The Application documents and fee can be submitted directly at the School Office, or sent by mail in an enveloped marked “ADMISSIONS”.  The fee can be paid in cash or by bank transfer. (Please refer to the Payment Procedure for bank details.)
    • An interview and assessment will bearrangedwhen space is available in the appropriate Year Level.
    • An open disclosure of learning, medical or behavioural problems or disabilities must be made during the application.  If your child has been diagnosed with having learning, medical or behavioural problems or disabilities, documents must be submitted with the application form.   Should it subsequently come to light that any relevant information has been knowingly withheld, the school holds the right to review the child’s place at SMIS.
    • When deemed necessary, a Trial Day may be organised in order to make clearer the child’s suitability for entering St. Michael’s International School.
    • All offers of acceptance or rejection will be made in writing.  All decisions made by the School are final.

 

Enrolment Priority
St. Michael’s is open to all children who can benefit from the international education offered regardless of gender, culture, nationality or religion. As a School with a distinct Christian ethos, we expect all parents to support its Christian identity, with tolerance and respect towards others of different religious backgrounds within the School community.


The following will be givenpriority:

  1. Children with siblings already in the School
  2. Children from an international background(one or more parent holding a foreign passport)
  3. Children who havecompleted at least two years of western style education overseas or in Japan

 

High priority is placed on the following categories of children:

  • Children of representatives of the British Consulate
  • Children of full-time teachersserving St. Michael’s International School

 

Enrolment Procedure

  • Thechild will be placed in the relevant year class (dependent on their chronological age).  In exceptional cases, a child may be accepted into a class either one year below their chronological age or one year above. In these situations, previous School records and internal assessment will determine the placement, after approval by the Head of School.
  • After a decision is made concerning the admission of the child, a formal letter will be sent to the parents following a verbal confirmation from the Administration Office.  If accepted, the child may enrol after a minimum of two school days following the verbal confirmation to allow the School to make necessary preparation.  (e.g. When a verbal confirmation of enrolment is made on Thursday, the child may start school on Tuesday.)
  • Necessary documents required by the School must be completed and submitted at the time of enrolment.
  • Registration and other Fees must be paid prior to entry to the School.  An invoice will be sent to the address indicated on the Application Form.

 

Level Placement

 

Entry for Academic Year2010-2011

SMIS Class Placement

Age

Date of Birth Between

US System

Nursery

3-4

1 September 2006 －31 August 2007

Pre-K A

Reception

4-5

1 September 2005 －31 August 2006

Kindergarten A

Year 1

5-6

1 September 2004 －31 August 2005

Kindergarten B

Year 2

6-7

1 September 2003 －31 August 2004

Grade 1

Year 3

7-8

1 September 2002 －31 August 2003

Grade 2

Year 4

8-9

1 September 2001 －31 August 2002

Grade 3

Year 5

9-10

1 September 2000 －31 August2001

Grade 4

Year 6

10-11

1 September 1999 －31 August 2000

Grade 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entry for Academic Year2011-2012

SMIS Class Placement

Age

Date of Birth Between

US System

Nursery

3-4

1 September 2007－31 August 2008

Pre-K A

Reception

4-5

1 September 2006 －31 August 2007

Kindergarten A

Year 1

5-6

1 September 2005 －31 August 2006

Kindergarten B

Year 2

6-7

1 September 2004 －31 August 2005

Grade 1

Year 3

7-8

1 September 2003 －31 August 2004

Grade 2

Year 4

8-9

1 September 2002 －31 August 2003

Grade 3

Year 5

9-10

1 September 2001 －31 August2002

Grade 4

Year 6

10-11

1 September 2000 －31 August 2001

Grade 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Scholarships

Limited number of partial Scholarships may beavailable,based on financial needs.  A letter stating the reasons for applying for the Scholarship must be submitted to the Scholarship Committee of St. Michael’s International School Council via the Head of School.  Applicants are required to submit tax certificate and bank account details along with the Scholarship Application Form, should they wish to proceed.

 

Short Stay Students

Limited spaces are available for international school children visiting Japan.  This typically occurs for 1 week to 1 month.  Please contact the School Office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Medical Policy upon Enrolment

St. Michael’s International School has adopted recommendations from the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Disease Control, and various other immunization schedules throughout the world in determining its immunization requirements.

 

All new students are required to have the age appropriate requirements completed before being allowed to start school.

 

Notifications about subsequent age-appropriate vaccine requirements will be sent at the end of the year for those children who still require immunizations.   After enrolment has been confirmed, please fill out your child’s current vaccine status on Side A of the Medical Form.   Side B must be filled out and signed by a physician, preferably in English.  If you are applying from overseas, you may opt to fill the Medical Form (Side A & B) out in your current country. 

 

Listed below is the required immunization schedule for all children.

 

  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis:
    Five doses of DTP by the age of 6 years.

Recommended Schedule: DPT at 2, 4 & 6 months; between  months & 4-6 years of age.

  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella:        
    2 doses of each vaccine separately or as a combination (MMR), 1st dose at 12-15 months of age & the 2nd dose at 4-6 years of age
  • Poliomyelitis:  
    4 doses by 6 years of age:  At 2 & 4 months, between 6-18 months, & 4-6 years
  • Hepatitis B:                 
    3 doses, can be started at any age.

- Schedule for infants: Between birth & 2 months, 1-4 months, & 6-18 months

- Schedule for adults & older children: 1st dose of vaccine, 2nd dose1month later, 3rd dose 6 months after the 1st Hepatitis B shot

  • TB skin test:                               
    Must be taken before entering the School, but can be waived if your child has taken the test within the past one year.  Your child has to take the test even if he or she has been immunized with BCG.

 

Extended Absence

  • A child may leave the School for up to 3 months and a place will be held open for them, as long as tuition fees are paid for the period of absence. During the absence, the child is expected to attend an appropriate School, with documentation of such attendance required upon return to St. Michael's International School.  (See Payment Procedurefor further information) Parents are requested to inform the School in writing at least 30 days before the child returnsin order for the School to be able to confirm a place for the child. Any period of absence longer than 3 months will be up to the discretion of the Head of School.

 


Review of Enrolment (Child’s behaviour)

A child’s enrolment at St. Michael’s will be  reconsidered and possibly cancelled, if the child’s behaviour does not repeatedly meet the expected standard of conduct.

Unacceptable behaviours by the child include (but are not limited to):

  • Bullying, harassing or intimidating behaviour towards the School community
  • Misbehaviour causing harm or disruption

 

SMIS’s Expectationof Parents

St. Michael's International School expects parents to:

  • Pay fees promptly, upon receipt of invoice,as outlined underPayment Procedure
  • Take an active and supportive role in the life of the School
  • Be able to communicate with the teachers and staff in English
  • Be willing to work with the child at home in their native tongue (i.e. encourage reading, help with homework, etc.)

Parent Code of Conduct

Parents agree to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

We will support our children, encourage them to do their best and support the School by observing all the relevant School policies(available at any time for examination from the Head of School) –

 

  • By recognising and supporting the authority and responsibilities of SMIS staff and administration to carry out their educational work
  • By supporting and cooperating with school personnel to help our children succeed and reach their potential
  • By encouraging peaceful resolution of conflicts and discouraging disrespectful, violent, or aggressive behaviour to solve problems
  • By not intervening in the SMIS educational processes or interfering with SMIS personnel as they carry out their duties and/or responsibilities
  • By being a positive role model that reflects the School’s ethos to our children
  • By making sure that our children attend school as regularly as possible and do not arrive unavoidably late. We will not arrange holidays outside of normal School breaks except in extenuating circumstances
  • By making sure our children are smartly turned out in the correct uniform
  • By providing suitable conditions at home for doing homework; by checking it is done and by signing the appropriate records when requested
  • By working with the School to maintain good standards of work and behaviour; especially, by discussing School reports with our children and attending parents’ meetings
  • By supporting the School in explaining to our children the importance of abiding by the School Rules
  • By quickly informing the School of any problems or difficulties concerning our children
  • By immediately informing the School of any change of address or circumstances which may affect the smooth administration of the School
  • By ensuring that fees are paid on time
  • By following the School’s policy on parking outside the School.

 

Reconsideration of Enrolment (Parent’s behaviour)

Upon enrolment, all parents agree to abide by the school mission, vision and values.  Parents are expected to be positive, supportive and compliant with all policy and requests as issued by the School and its employees.

 

Unacceptable behaviours include (but are not limited to):

  • Non-payment of School Fees
  • Bullying, harassing or intimidating behaviour towards the School community
  • Non-compliance with School policy and requests

Breach of the above may result in the Head of School banning an individual from School grounds, suspension of, and/or cancellation, of enrolment.