Introduction
Qatar Academy Sidra is a private, non-profit, co-educational international school aligned with Islamic and Qatari values and the IB philosophy. Qatar Academy Sidra offers a broad-based, international educational programme by following the IB frameworks for the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. The language of instruction at Qatar Academy Sidra is English.
Qatar Academy Sidra shall consider for admission students of any nationality who are the children of, and themselves are, either citizens or permanent residents of the State of Qatar who are living with their families or approved guardian (s).
Qatar Academy Sidra aims to enable
- Expatriate students to continue their studies within a variety of post-secondary educational systems around the world, and
- Qatari students to continue their studies at a post-secondary educational system within the Qatar Foundation, or at another global location.
Admissions Procedure
QAS has rolling admissions. The same admissions process is followed whether the application for admission is made before the start of the school year or during the course of the school year.
Step One: Submit Application & Required Documents
In order to be considered for enrollment families must complete an Open Apply application which includes the following uploaded evidence
Applicant Checklist:
| Criteria | Evidence Required |
| Age | Birth Certificate or Passport |
| English Language Proficiency | Previous MAP or ISA data if available |
| Mathematics Proficiency | Previous MAP or ISA data if available |
| Academic Records | Reports from the previous two years of schooling(in English) |
| Personal, Social, Emotional, and Behaviour Characteristics | Confidential Recommendation |
| Mother Tongue Language Profile | Student Language Profile Form |
| Health & Immunization |
Immunization Records Medical History Form Medical Examination Report signed by a certified physician in Qatar |
| Qatari Citizenship or Legal Residency Status | Qatar ID or Qatar Passport |
| Fees |
Application Fee, 500 Qr – Administrative charges Registration Fee, 3000 Qr – Upon acceptance |
| Specific Learning Needs | Individualized Learning Plan |
Step Two: Screening
Once all documentation is complete the Admissions Officer will complete a review of the applicant’s files. If all files are provided the Admissions Officer will schedule an appointment for:
- The student to complete the MAP ‘Survey without Goals’
- The parents and student to complete an interview with the Counselor (or alternative member of the Admissions Committee if necessary)
- If a student falls outside of the grade level norms or EAL threshold range
- the student to complete WIDA assessment (if necessary)
- If a student falls within grade-level norms and the EAL threshold but is an EAL student they will complete the WIDA after admission.
Step Three: Review and Decision
The Admission Committee will review the completed application, recommendations, and screening data and determine whether to;
- Accept the student for enrollment, or
- Refer the student for further screening assessments, or
- Deny the request for enrollment
| On Acceptance, the Admissions Committee will | Screening/Assessment | Denial by Admissions Committee |
|
Determine class placement
Return file to Admissions. Admissions Officer will Send a letter to the Parents with acceptance and date of commencement Memo to the teacher(s) in class(es) with starting date (3 days after acceptance) |
Admissions Officer to arrange assessment meeting to Screen for
On completion of the assessment, information passed to the school Principal for determination. Admissions Committee determines whether the needs identified can be met by the school under current resources. Acceptance, see left. Denial, see right. |
Return file to Admissions with the reason for denial
Admissions Officer will send a letter to parents with denial and outline of reason. |
Step Four: Final Interview
- The parents and students to complete an interview with the Division Principal
- The parents accept and sign an enrollment letter
- The parents pay the QAR 3000 registration fee
Withdrawal Process for QF Schools
To begin withdrawing a student from a QF school, the parent/guardian is requested to submit an online withdrawal form (click here). The school will process the request within three working days.
Please note that the parent/guardian and the student will be invited to attend an exit interview meeting with the school director to discuss the withdrawal. The parent/guardian and the student are required to attend this meeting to complete the formal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the school hours?
PK-3 – Pre-4:
- Sunday – Thursday 7:00am-12:00pm
KG -Grade 12:
- Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:00am-2:00pm,
- Tuesday: 7:00am-1:00pm
School holidays, beginning/end dates, and other events are provided in the school calendar.
2. I cannot get records from the past three (3) years. What do I do?
We understand that it can be difficult to obtain records and recommendations from many different schools. Please provide as much documentation as possible. In some cases, it may be possible to review a file without all of the past records, however, please note that the most recently issued records (last 2 years) will be required. The decision for exception rests with the school.
3. I have a child with learning differences. Can they attend QA Sidra?
QA Sidra strives to be an inclusive school that meets the needs of its students. A limited number of students with learning differences are currently served at our school. The nature of service depends on the diagnosis of the student’s needs and his/her current abilities. Please submit all IEPs, reports, and records initially in the application process to avoid delays. The Admissions Committee will review the application and accept the student if QA Sidra has the capacity to provide appropriate educational support to meet the student’s needs.
4. Is there an admissions test?
Yes, there are assessments administered at the school for all applicants to Qatar Academy Sidra. These assessments are used to determine if the school can service the needs of each child and is used to provide the school with information on the best programme and placement for the student.
In some cases the Admissions Committee may require additional assessment to be certain the school can meet the programing needs of a student. This is on a case-by-case basis.
5. Is the application fee refundable?
No, the application fee covers the costs associated with receiving and processing application documents and is non-refundable.
6. My application is complete. Now what happens?
After all required documents have been completed, the Admissions Office will confirm receipt of your completed application. The file will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. If additional information is needed to invite your child for the screening tests, we will let you know. Otherwise, the Admissions Office will contact you to advise of the next steps.
7. How is grade-level placement determined?
Grade placement is generally determined by age-appropriateness of the student. However, there are national regulations, which govern the age placement for children in grades. For the majority of applicants coming from US curriculum schools there is no change of grade level. In most cases, students in the primary school will be considered by their age as of September 1st. In the Middle Years Programme, student records are reviewed to determine the last fully completed school year and assign accordingly.
QA Sidra operates on a Northern hemisphere calendar (September to June school year). Students coming from Southern hemisphere calendar schools will need to be placed in a grade that allows them to fully complete the next level of education. For example, a student finishing the 7th grade in December in the Southern hemisphere will be placed in the 7th grade at QA Sidra from January-June. They will then be promoted to the 8th grade for the following school year. QA Sidra makes the sole determination about grade-level placement.
8. When can students start school?
Students will be able to start at QA Sidra once parents have received their final acceptance letter from the Admissions Office and have been notified of the start date.
9. Does QA Sidra run a waiting list?
Yes, we will put students on a waiting list when all seats in a grade level are full.
10. How does my child get to and from school?
Most students are driven to the school by their parents or a private driver.
11. Do QA Sidra students wear a uniform?
Yes. Information about uniform requirements and purchases will be provided upon acceptance.
12. Is lunch provided?
Parents of Primary School students have the option of choosing school-provided cold snacks and lunches or sending a healthy packed lunch. Parents of Secondary School students (6-11) have the option to purchase the school snack and hot buffet lunch or students may bring their own. QA Sidra strictly follows a no nut policy.
13. What are the class sizes?
Classes sizes vary depending on age. The potential maximum class size is 24-25 students. However whilst on our current temporary campuses class sizes do not exceed 22.
Academic Records
QA Sidra releases academic records to students and parents on a regular basis as per the reporting and assessment timelines. These records include;
- Mid Semester Progress Reports and Semester Reports
- Measure of Academic Progress reports (Note: Parents must attend the MAP workshop to obtain this report)
- Individualised Accommodations Plan (IAP) Individualised Learning Plan (ILP) or Individualised Advanced Learning Plan (IALP), where appropriate
QA Sidra only provides one copy of these records and it is strongly advised that parents ensure that they maintain a secure record of all of their children’s academic records. QA Sidra will provide additional copies of academic records as per thewithdrawal practices.
Withdrawal Process for QF Schools
To begin withdrawing a student from a QF school, the parent/guardian is requested to submit an online withdrawal form (click here). The school will process the request within three working days.
Please note that the parent/guardian and the student will be invited to attend an exit interview meeting with the school director to discuss the withdrawal. The parent/guardian and the student are required to attend this meeting to complete the formal process.
