Welcome to First Baptist Christian School. We are an education community that seeks to provide each child with what they need to achieve their personal best in academics, character, leadership development in a caring, supportive, diverse community where good relationships prevail. Our school Motto is “Learn, Serve, Lead with Christ”. Strong Parent Partnerships, Positive staff & student Relationships, and a Collaborative culture prevail to make the school culture at FBCS a place where students can grow and flourish.
In order to apply for a place in the school the procedure is as follows:
- Step 1- Inquiry
- Step 2- Complete the Online Application, taking special care to complete ALL fields.
- Step 3: Once completed, you will be taken to a confirmation page with a checklist showing the supporting documents we need. Send the supporting documents back to the school office either in person or via email so that a decision can be reached. Each child will also complete an admissions test upon their arrival on island, which is done on computer/ipad and is multiple choice.
- Please note, If there are any special circumstances that may affect your child’s ability to learn please be sure to mention them on the application form and include any reports from the appropriate medical/learning professional. This is to ensure that we are equipped to accommodate any such circumstances. We are able to provide learning support with targeted intervention and accommodation to students who can access the curriculum. However, we are not able to accept students that require a modified curriculum. We also limit the number of students who require Learning Support based on the availability of our support staff, and in each grade level to ensure that the staff are able to support the needs of all children in the classroom.
- Pay the application fee of CI$150 (US$187.50). We can only accept cash/check payments in the school office. Please click here for online payment options. You can find information about fees on our Fees & Tuition Schedule page
NOTE: Applications without payment will not be considered.
After documents have been received they will be reviewed by the School Principal you will be contacted about next steps which will include a student evaluation.
The Principal will make the final decision about enrollment
FBCS GRADE PLACEMENT (2022 – 2023)
Grade Age Ranges
The table below displays the grades age ranges for schools using the US curriculum (like FBCS) and the UK curriculum.| Age Ranges | US Grades | British Grades |
|---|---|---|
| age 3 by Sept 1 | 3 Year Old Class | 3 Year Old Class |
| age 4 by Sept 1 | 4 Year Old Class PreK | 4 Year Old Class |
| age 5 by Sept 1 | Kindergarten | Year 1 |
| age 6 by Sept 1 | Grade 1 | Year 2 |
| age 7 by Sept 1 | Grade 2 | Year 3 |
| age 8 by Sept 1 | Grade 3 | Year 4 |
| age 9 by Sept 1 | Grade 4 | Year 5 |
| age 10 by Sept 1 | Grade 5 | Year 6 |
| age 11 by Sept 1 | Grade 6 | Year 7 |
ADMISSION POLICY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Admissions Policy
The school has a planned admission number between 22-24 places per year group (in accordance with the school’s commitment to providing a quality education). No learner will be refused admission on the grounds of race, gender, culture, or religious belief. All learners admitted to the school will take part in the total school program – academic, spiritual, sporting, social and cultural.
Children with a statement of Special Educational Need will be admitted to the school based on the school’s ability and resources at the time to meet and support the learning needs of the individuals. We can provide intervention and accomodation but not modification to the curriculum. These spaces are limited.
Children are admitted into school at two stages; either into the Preschool for ages 2-4 years, or into the Elementary/Middle School Divisions Kindergarten to Grade 8.
Attendance at the nursery does not guarantee a place in the main school and parents must apply for a place in the Kindergarten class using the online forms. Children will enter kindergarten on a full time basis during the academic year (September to July) in which they will be five by September 1st.
Selection
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Students must demonstrate a definite school-readiness before acceptance into kindergarten
- The school’s entrance assessment results falls with the Grade level that the applicant is applying for (no less than 5 months below grade level).
- Whether the parent/guardian is able to pay the fees (with or without financial assistance) as determined by the school’s Ministry Team.
- Whether the learner can cope with the medium of instruction (i.e., the English language).
- The available number of places in a particular class (given the maximum class size determined from time to time in accordance with the school’s commitment to providing a quality education).
Notes:
- The “Application for Enrolment” form (available from the Administrative Assistant) must be completed and returned to the school together with supporting documents and the required fee, preferably four months before the start of the academic year. Supporting documents include birth certificates, previous school report for the most recent two terms, immunization card, proof of health insurance, copy of passport (photo page), immigration authorization as applicable(work permit, parent letter etc.) and school screening card.
- Should school assessments be necessary, an appointment will be arranged by the relevant member of staff. Alternatively, an assessment can be required by FBCS from an external Counselling Psychologist, at the parents’ expense.
- The application is screened for eligibility in terms of the criteria (above) by the Admittance Committee.
- If necessary, the learner and the parent(s)/guardian(s) are interviewed.
- Where an application is successful, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be asked to sign the Code of Conduct Agreement.
- Where an application is unsuccessful the Admittance Committee will inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) by email. The reasons for such refusal will be given on request. The selection process is confidential, and parents undertake to accept the decision reached by FBCS.
Over subscription criteria
Where the number of applications received exceeds the planned admission number of the school the Admissions committee will apply the following criteria in strict order of priority:
- A child who, or whose parent(s)/guardian(s), work(s) within the school-FBCS
- A child who has a sibling (including a half-, step- or adoptive brother or sister) who is attending the school at the proposed date of admission.
- A child who has a sibling (including a half-, step- or adoptive brother or sister) who will be attending the school at the proposed date of admission.
- A child whose parent(s)/guardian(s), are members of FBC (First Baptist Christian Church)
- A child whose parent(s)/guardian(s), are members of another Christian Church recognized by the First Baptist church or one which fully subscribes to the FBCS statement of Faith.
Waiting Lists
Where an application has been unsuccessful parents/guardians may request that the child’s name is added to the waiting list. The waiting list will be maintained until the end of the autumn term. Any places that become available will be allocated to the next applicant on the list.
In-year admissions
Parents/guardians seeking to transfer a child to the school during the school year should make an application by filling out an application form which is available from the Administrative Assistant at the school.
Following receipt, the Admissions committee will inform parents/guardians whether a place has been offered.
Where more applications are received than places available the over-subscription criteria will be used to support the decision.
Notes/Definitions
- Parents
‘Parents’ include all those people who have a parental responsibility for a child. Where responsibility for a child is ‘shared’, the person receiving Child Benefits is deemed to be the parent responsible for completing application forms.
- The home address
The address must be where the child lives permanently. If the residency is split between two parents, the address must be where the child lives for the majority of the time. If the residency is split equally between two parents, they can nominate the address they wish to use for the allocation of a school place.