Applying to GDQ International Christian School

Application Process for Native English Speaking Children

For children who are native English speakers, GDQ’s admissions process involves the following steps:

Completion of the application packet

The application packet is available from the front office and includes

• The student application.
• A request for school records from the child’s prior school(s).
• Confidential references for students entering middle and high school. GDQ will contact references directly once names are provided

Review of the application packet

Once parents have submitted a complete application packet (forms, school records, references if requested, and the application fee), the applicable lower school, middle school or high school administration will review the forms to determine if the child meets the admissions criteria and is a suitable candidate for admission. GDQ administration may also choose to meet with the prospective student.  A complete application packet does not guarantee that a child will be accepted.

GDQ Notification of Acceptance

GDQ will notify the child’s parents as to whether the child is accepted. GDQ will seek to notify parents within 3 to 5 school days of receiving the completed application. Applications received during the summer recess will require a longer turn-around time. If GDQ accepts a child, the school will provide the family with a student contract. Should a child apply during the school year, GDQ reserves the right to set the entry date to the beginning of a school quarter.

Parent Acceptance

To confirm acceptance, parents must sign and return the student contract.  A signed copy of the contract must be in the child’s school folder before the child begins classes.

Payment of the application fee

The application fee is 35000 lekë.  If applying for the upcoming school year, the registration fee is 30000 lekë if paid prior to the close of the early registration date. Payment may be given directly to the financial officer or paid at any Tirana or Raiffeisen Bank branch.

Application Process for Non-Native English Speaking Children

GDQ has the following process in place for children who are non-native English speakers seeking to enroll at GDQ.

Admissions process

The application process for all non-native English speaking children includes the following:

Completion of the application forms

Students will be given a language assessment

Application forms are available from the front office and include

• The student application.
• A request for school records from the child’s prior school(s).
• Confidential references for students entering middle and high school.

Review of the application packet

Once parents have submitted a complete application packet (forms, school records, references if requested, and the application fee), the applicable lower school, middle school or high school administration will review the forms to determine if the child meets the admissions criteria and is a suitable candidate for admission. GDQ administration may also choose to meet with the prospective student. A complete application packet does not guarantee that a child will be accepted.

Formal English language assessment

Should the GDQ administration feel that the child is a suitable candidate for admission, the child will meet with the EAL coordinator for an extensive language assessment. The assessment will cover reading, writing, and speaking. An assessment fee of 1500 lekë needs to be paid before the language assessment can take place.

Testing results

The EAL assessor will provide testing results in writing to the admissions committee and to the child’s family.

Final review

The admissions committee will make one final review of both the application and the language assessment.

GDQ Notification

GDQ will seek to inform parents as to whether the child is accepted within 5 to 7 school days of the formal assessment. Applications received during the summer recess will require a longer turn-around time. If GDQ accepts a child, the school will provide the family with a student contract.

Parent Acceptance

To confirm acceptance, parents must sign and return the formal student contract. A signed copy of the contract must be in the child’s school folder before the child starts classes.

Payment of the application fee

The application fee is 35000 lekë.  If applying for the upcoming school year, the registration fee is 30000 lekë if paid prior to the close of the early registration date.Payment may be given directly to the financial officer or paid at any Tirana or Raiffeisen Bank branch.

EAL (English as an Academic Language) Support Upon Acceptance

GDQ International Christian School offers an EAL (English as an Academic Language) program to those children who do not have English as their academic language. Our EAL program gives children the opportunity to focus on academic vocabulary and writing skills that will equip them to succeed in the classroom at a level equal to or above their native English classmates.

For children who will need EAL support:

• The amount of EAL support the child will receive will be based on the school’s WIDA Entry, Transition, and Exit criteria.
• EAL language instruction, where prescribed, takes precedence over all other foreign language instruction.
• In extenuating circumstances, the school reserves the right to place a child requiring EAL support in a class a grade lower than grade age.