MYP Admissions | Apply to Bishop Mackenzie International School

Admissions Procedure

Secondary entry framework

As an IB school, BMIS is an inclusive educational environment and welcomes students from a variety of educational backgrounds. Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year. Families seeking admission for their child should make an appointment with the Head Teacher. Students are eligible for admission if there are places available and the school can meet their particular needs. All candidates will take a school assessment before admission.

Students with learning difficulties may be admitted if their needs can be met by the school’s Education Support programme or local support services, and the students can be placed in the regular classroom.

Admittance of students who are physically, mentally or emotionally challenged will only be accepted at the discretion of the Head Teacher. Should admittance be granted, the situation would be subject to a termly review. Students whose native language is not English must take an oral and/or written assessment to determine whether they can be admitted. Limited assistance in English as a Second Language is available if the instruction in this area is beyond that which can be reasonably provided by the class and subject teachers.

Application Process

Steps for secondary admissions

1

Inquiry & Application

Inquiries and applications for admission are welcome at any time of the year. Please reach out to Marcomh Department at the school.

2

Admission & Testing

Prospective students are eligible for admission if it is believed by the Head Teacher that the school can meet their particular needs and if there are places available. Admission to the secondary section is non-selective, except for entry into the BMIS High School Diploma programme in Grades 10–12.

Admission to the final year of the IB MYP (Grade 10) and IB Diploma Programme (Grade 12) must allow completion of IBO requirements.

All prospective students undertake entry assessments in English and Mathematics (available remotely upon request).

Additional subject-specific or learning support assessments may be required for entry into Grades 11–12.

Admission decisions are based on test results, reports, references, and discussions with the family.

The Head Teacher reserves the right not to admit a student if a suitable programme is unavailable.

3

Age Guidance

The age of admission for year groups in the school is based on the child’s age on 31st August of the current academic year.

The Head Teacher may allow flexibility of up to one year depending on assessment outcomes.

4

Admission & Placement

Admittance of students who are physically, mentally, or emotionally challenged is at the discretion of the Secondary Head Teacher, guided by the Counselor and Learning Support staff. Students with mild to moderate learning difficulties may be admitted if supported through the Educational Support Programme.

English language learners must take an oral and/or written test. Limited EAL support is available for students with mild to moderate needs. Initial placement is tentative and may be adjusted after closer evaluation by subject teachers.

Class size guideline: Optimum 22, maximum 24 students. In exceptional cases, up to 26 may be approved by the Board of Trustees.

5

Preferential Admission

When classes are full, preferential admission is given to students whose parents are in Lilongwe due to work assignments, such as diplomats, expatriates on TEPs (including BMIS staff), and Malawians transferred from other regions. All applications remain subject to the academic and support criteria stated above.

Resources