Admissions Process
Somersfield Academy welcomes all families to make application for admission to the school on behalf of their children. Applications are accepted regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious background, sexual orientation or disability. Somersfield makes every effort to reflect a diverse community.
To ensure eligibility for a specific programme, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, and, when applicable, the parent’s and/or legal guardian(s) work permit, or proof of permanent residency, must accompany the application
Somersfield seeks to admit students who are developmentally and academically prepared to meet the challenges of our enriched preschool, primary and middle-years programmes. To achieve this goal, a student’s preparedness is evaluated using appropriate assessment tools for the specific entry level. In addition, primary and middle-years applicants, upon the school’s request, must submit documentation as evidence of their preparedness.
Overall Consideration for Admittance is given to attaining a well balanced school community and ensuring that the school can meet a student’s needs through the programmes, staff and facilities provided.
Admittance Decisions are premised on availability of space and the following criteria, although not exhaustive:
- Developmental appropriateness (physical, social, emotional, intellectual)
- Academic considerations
- Gender Balance
- Diversity (Bermudian/Non-Bermudian)
- Age (to accommodate the Montessori multi-aged classrooms)
Priority is given to :
- Siblings of students currently enrolled (provided they meet the noted criteria)
- Date order of receipt of application after meeting the above criteria
The Principal, on behalf of the Board of Governors, and in the best interest of the applicant and school, reserves the right to consider additional factors in determining a student’s acceptance into a programme.
Somersfield Academy has TWO PROGRAMMES in which application can be made:
- The Montessori Pre-School & Primary Programme
- The Middle Years Programme (MYP) based on the work of the International Baccalaureate.
All completed, dated and signed applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of $55.00. Receipt of an application is confirmed by letter.
3 – 6 Programme (Half-Day, Full-Day, Primary One)
Half-Day applicants for the pre-school segment of the programme are contacted in November for a tour and parent interview. Notification of acceptance is given in December for September entry.
Full-Day and Primary-One applicants are interviewed and assessed from November through January with offers and responses of acceptances given within the first two weeks of February.
The interviews and assessments for these latter two levels are restrictive due to the limited number of available spaces. However, applicants wait-listed are contacted when spaces become available.
The noted Primary-One acceptance time-frame also adheres to the “Primary-One Common Admissions Policy for Private Schools.” To view this policy please download the PDF File.
6–9 Programme (Primary 2 thru 4=Grade 1 thru 3)
9–11 Programme (Primary 5 & 6 = Grade 4 and 5)
Primary 2 through 6 potential students are interviewed and assessed in February and March and/or when spaces become available.
Parents and/or legal guardians, upon invitation are interviewed and given a tour of the school prior to assessing their child.
Depending on the level of entry, parents may also be requested to submit copies of their child’s reports, transcripts, standardized test results and a portfolio representing a cross section of the child’s work.
Availability of space is generally limited in the Full-day Pre-primary through Primary 6 levels. Our Montessori programme commences at age three, therefore, students accepted into the three year old segment of the 3-6 programme are guaranteed a Primary One place. For this reason, parents are encouraged to submit their application(s) for this level as early as possible
The majority of acceptances into our middle years programme are made in late February through early March, following the entrance examination, which is generally held in mid-February.
Students, who successfully fulfill the MYP entrance requirements, are asked to submit evidence of their academic abilities and individual achievements, and are then invited, along with their parents, for a tour of the school and an interview.
This exceptional five year programme accepts students into year one through year four only. However, entry into the fifth year is considered if a student has successfully completed year four of an International Baccalaureate Middle-Year Programme.
Overseas Applicants :
Overseas applicants for MYP may sit our entrance exam at their current school. Arrangements for a student to take the exam externally are decided upon after a review of the applicant’s school transcript(s).
- Offers are made first by telephone and then by letter
- Letters of offer, are accompanied by an Enrollment Agreement, a Schedule of Fee Document (Payment Plan) and an invoice for the Deposit Fee of $1000.
- The letter of offer indicates the date by which parents must return the signed documents and deposit to confirm acceptance of a place.
Please refer to the noted PDF Files for more detailed information regarding our programmes:
- Admission Guidelines
- Curriculum Overviews
- Applications
- Primary One Common Entrance Policy for Private Schools