Academics
Brent International School Baguio offers specialist programs for non-native English speakers. Many of these students come from all over Asia, but our student body reflects our broad, international character. The main goal is to ensure that students learn to speak, read, and write English clearly, allowing them to participate in the IB program.
Upon admission, students in the ESL Program are classified into four (4) groups – Beginners, Low and High Intermediate, Advanced, and Support. Beginners are accepted only in to Pre-Kinder through Grade 5. At a Grade 9 level, only High Intermediate students are accepted. At a Grade 10 level, only Advanced and Support level students are accepted. Advanced and Support group students receive in-class assistance from teachers assigned to them. Regular assessment allows students to be mainstreamed into the normal program as progress is made. It is expected that students are capable of being mainstreamed within 2-3 years of entering the ESL program.
To move up an ESL level, performance and progress in all of the following are considered: ESL standardized tests, ESL class performance, Mainstream class requirements and recommendation from teachers. Students may only move up a level at the beginning of the semester.
The ESL Program is housed in its own building with computer facilities, and class sizes are normally and intentionally kept low.
Entrance to the ESL Program follows testing and personal interviews with the Guidance Counselor, Principals, and Deputy Head. Further details can be obtained from the ESL Department Head or the Director for Academic Affairs.