International School of Riga

Riga, Latvia; Primary Campus at Kalnciema iela 118, Riga LV-1046; Secondary Campus at Skanstes iela 27, Riga LV-1013.

Early Years (2–6), Primary (6–11), Middle School (11–15), High School (15–18).

Private international school

47 nationalities represented; 314 students.

Learning support provided in Primary and Secondary, including support for non-native English speakers and students with mild to moderate learning needs; a learning support team collaborates with teachers; English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available in both Primary and Secondary; MAP growth tests are used for assessment; a school counselor is in place.

Latvia

Daily bus service to/from both campuses; Route

1 Centre – S27 – K118, and Route 2 Piņķi – Mārupe – K118 – S27 – Centre/Mārupe – Piņķi; sign up via the Admissions or Bus page; detailed route information and fees are published by ISR.

Middle School uses the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). Middle School students take English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, a Language (Latvian or French), an additional language (Latvian, French or Spanish), Physical Education, Technology, Art and Music. The High School programme is a 4-year university preparatory curriculum; ISR offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11-12 and is a Candidate School for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

1:6

100% university acceptance rate per applicant; in 2024 graduates gained acceptances to 40 universities across diverse regions.

Gifted and talented is a field on the ISR Admissions Form.

The school provides a school counselor who delivers direct assistance to students through private conversations, group sessions, or classroom activities. The counselor addresses exam stress, anxiety, self image, peer relations, and difficult emotions and works with teachers to provide positive learning experiences. Learning Support helps non native English speakers and students with mild to moderate learning needs, coordinating with teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and tailoring plans based on data driven goals. The program extends to the wider community with parents invited to engage with the support team. The secondary Mission and Service program is student led and supports social responsibility, leadership, and reflection, while CAS supports personal development. The school ethos is a respectful, learning focused community.

Learning Support in Primary and Secondary states that every child can reach their full potential. The school creates supportive structures for all students including non native English speakers, students with mild to moderate learning needs and highly achieving individuals. A learning support specialist collaborates with teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and regularly updates teachers with best practices as relates to student support. Each child seen by the support team has a specific plan tailored to their needs guided by data driven goals and coordinated by grade level teachers, aides, support staff, administration, outside service providers where possible, and parents. Learning support extends to the entire ISR community.

In Primary, all students are fully immersed in an English speaking learning environment. English Language Arts is integrated in all units of IB PYP and taught with an inquiry based approach. Students who are new to English or performing below grade level receive small group EAL support and in class assistance from our support teachers on a daily basis. Non native English speakers can participate in an EAL after school activity to boost literacy and phonics. In Secondary, the EAL program is fully adapted to prepare students for the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level. New students with limited English skills receive support upon starting at ISR. Non native speaking students receive EAL support from three to six periods of modern language instruction each week in Middle School and in High School EAL classes take place during three language periods to enhance their learning in mainstream classes.

The school recognizes that the Covid 19 pandemic and other global risk factors have increased stress among students and prioritizes socio emotional well being through a supportive counseling program. The School Counselor delivers direct support to students, ranging from private conversations to group sessions or classroom activities, and topics often include exam stress, anxiety, self image, peer relations, and difficult emotions. The counselor also collaborates with teachers to provide positive learning experiences and may observe students in school settings to offer recommendations.

The Child Protection Policy is based upon International and Latvian law and on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. All ISR staff value partnership with parents in providing for the safety and care of children. ISR has endorsed a Child Protection Policy that defines the standards as to how all ISR students will be treated, that is with respect and dignity at all times.

1. Fill the online Application Form. 2. Submit supporting documents: copy of applicant's passport; transcripts for the current and previous school year; confidential teacher recommendation forms (two for Primary; three for Secondary); applicant questionnaire (grades 3 through 12); application for School Bus Service (if applicable); and any documentation related to special education needs if indicated. Transcripts and recommendation forms must be sent directly from the issuing school; documents not in English must be accompanied by an English translation; all documents become the property of ISR. 3. Complete the admissions assessment (grades 3 through 12). After the application and all supporting documents are received, a member of the Admissions team will contact you to schedule the admissions assessment, which lasts 60-90 minutes. Overseas applicants may arrange testing online. 4. The Admissions Committee reviews the file and makes decisions, which may be: acceptance and placement with an offer to enrol; acceptance and placement with a conditional offer to enrol; an offer to be placed in a waitpool; or refusal of admission. 5. Wait for decision. Decisions are usually communicated within two weeks. 6. Additional notes: ISR offers rolling admissions with no deadlines; if a grade level is full, a waitpool is maintained and applicants are contacted when places become available; decisions may involve additional interviews if required.

ISR maintains a waitpool when a grade level is full; accepted applicants are placed in the waitpool and considered for offers when a place becomes available. A combination of factors is used in waitpool decisions, including applicants relocating to Riga who have not studied in a local language; applicants whose parents work at ISR; applicants with siblings already enrolled; and the date of application completion. If an applicant is accepted and placed in the waitpool for a grade in a given school year, they remain eligible for an offer for that grade during that year. Applicants who wish to stay in the waitpool for the next school year should submit updated supporting documentation or re-apply in full.