Admissions
Discover a seamless admissions process that prioritises your child’s unique journey and supports your family throughout the transition.
Admissions
Choosing a school is an important decision for every family, and our experienced admissions team is here to support you at every stage to help you make the right choice and a smooth transition.
Whether you’re considering joining ISA as part of an international move or from a local school, our priority is to provide you with all the information and insights you need to make a confident choice.
As Scotland’s longest established international school, we have helped thousands of families settle into ISA over the years. Our priority is the wellbeing of our students, ensuring they feel welcome and included right from day one.
Our school year runs from August to June and to join at the start of the academic year we recommend your application is completed by May 1st. However, we welcome enquiries, applications and new joiners at any point in the school year and operate a year-round open enrolment and rolling entry for families.

Get in touch
We would love to talk to you about ISA – contact admissions@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk or call 01224 730300.
Our Admission Process
Step 1
Chat to our admissions team
Schedule a call or virtual meeting with our friendly team who will start off by explaining the admissions process and provide you with all the relevant information for your child’s age and grade.
Contact us on email at admissions@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk or call 01224 730300.

Step 2
Schedule a visit
Families are welcome to visit ISA as part of an open day or a personalised tour at any point to get a feel for life at ISA, meet our teachers and experience our wonderful campus.
Sign up below for our next open day.

Step 3
Apply
Applications for enrolment are made online and there is a £50 application fee per child, capped at £100 for two or more children. Our admissions team will help you gather the details you need for the application.

Step 4
Offer
We will process the application, which may involve you meeting the Principal or taking some tests to assess your needs or help us identify the right grade level placement. We will keep you informed throughout the process up until we make you an offer of a place.

Step 5
Meet the ISA counsellors
If you are joining Middle or High School you will meet one of our two full-time counsellors who will personally help your family through the transition process, including setting up your academic schedule.

Step 6
Making Connections
Someone in our fantastic Parent Teacher Organisation (PTO) will be in touch and, if you wish, will organise meet ups with other parents so that you as well as your children are supported.
If students are joining us at the start of new year, we hold a welcome event two days in advance so that students and families can visit the classrooms and meet their teachers.

Step 7
First day!
New students to the school will be welcomed by current students who will be an ambassador and buddy, shadowing them for the first couple of weeks until they know their way around.

“I came to teach at ISA with the intention of spending two or three years exploring Scotland before moving on to another adventure. That was ten years ago. I have never experienced a school that balances individual student needs and an expectation of excellence so well as ISA. The way students respond to the environment is inspirational, and I find myself as excited for what we’re doing in year ten as I was in year one.”
Cruz Ordonez
High School Language & Literature Teacher
“The staff are excellent and caring, the after-school activity programme offers something for everyone, and the wider school community is incredibly welcoming. We’ve been at ISA for over 8 years now and can’t imagine going anywhere else. Students are encouraged to build on their strengths but are also challenged to take risks and try something new. Our daughter has gone from being extremely shy to standing in front of the whole school performing a solo. The students love coming to school every day, which is the highest praise I think anyone can give.”
Michelle Aitken
Parent of Grade 8 Student
“ISA encourages you to be your own person and is very welcoming. It suits people of all different personalities, with their own academic goals, and provides an environment where you can decide for yourself your goals and what you want to excel in.”
Ivan Delozari
Class of 2025 ISA graduate
“ISA is a welcoming, vibrant and highly inclusive environment for learning. Through innovative whole-school initiatives, children and young people are developing personal leadership qualities that prepare them particularly well for learning, life and work. The highly-skilled and motivated staff deliver learning that is well-paced and planned carefully to meet the needs and interests of all children. There is a respectful, calm and nurturing environment in classes and this leads to learners feeling well supported in their learning.”
HM Inspectors
Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023
It’s just a really nice atmosphere. I think that because it’s such a community, you get to know everyone very well, and the teachers even more. They’re not just there to get you through the content; they actually know each student very well. It’s a real community. The relationships, the opportunities, the support. It’s something special. There’s space to be yourself and space to grow.
Marla Carmichael
Class of 2025 ISA graduate
ISA is a school filled with all types of people. I truly believe there isn’t many schools like it. No matter where you’re from, what you’ve been through, or how you’ve lived, there’s always someone who’s your match. At ISA I think all of us students follow one rule, even though we’ve never been told to. This rule is that we won’t let anyone walk alone.
Faris
Grade 7 Student
ISA has provided a perfect balance for our children to grow up Scottish but with a strong global mindset and a curiosity for other parts of the world. The IB programme is providing them with a well-rounded, globally recognised education that will best prepare them for university and beyond.
JT & Andrea Hewitt
Parents of 4 ISA students
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Fees and Bursaries
Find answers to common questions about the cost of an ISA education
Are there admissions or registration fees?
A new students registration fee is charged at £600 on first admission to ISA. In subsequent years there is a returning students registration fee of £300 each year.
What are the current fees for Preschool?
Preschool offers a flexible programme with various options – 3, 4 or 5 days a week, short or long days; term-time or all year round. Early Learning Childcare (ELC) funding is available for core hours. Additional costs are outlined here.
What are the current fees for Elementary School?
2025-2026 Academic Year Fees
- Kindergarten and Grade 1 £13,344
- Elementary Grade 2-5 £18,060
What are the current fees for Middle School?
2025-2026 Academic Year Fees
- Middle School Grade 6-8 £19,380
What are the current fees for High School?
2025-2026 Academic Year Fees
- High School Grade 9-12 £19,956.
Are there any bursaries or assistance with fees?
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer a number of full and partial bursaries to students across the middle and high school. This is an exciting opportunity to provide financial support to enable a young person, who might otherwise be unable, to benefit from an ISA education.
Full details on how to apply and the related conditions are available from our admissions team at admissions@isa.aberdeen.sch.uk
Read all about the difference a bursary made for one of our recent graduates: Julia!
How do I pay?
Payment can be made annually, in three payments over the year, or monthly by direct debit over 10 months (September to June).
Are there any extra costs?
For the 2025-26 academic year, fees include textbooks, capital fees, and the majority of after-school activities. ISA has no formal school uniform which provides a significant saving on usual school costs.
School trips are charged over and above the school fee.
Is there a cost for transport?
Yes. ISA provides transport daily from around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The annual fee is £800 for the first child, and £650 for each additional child.
Are sibling discounts available?
Yes. There is a sibling discount of 25% for the third child, and 50% for the fourth and further children.
Support for Every Student
Fostering a nurturing environment for all learners
Whole child wellbeing
Our child centred ecosystem of care nurtures learning, physical, and social emotional health.