Uruguayan American School (UAS) is a multicultural community committed to fostering global citizenship and providing a premier education. UAS is an equal opportunity school committed to the acceptance and respect of all students. UAS promotes a culture of inclusion, where all students feel welcomed and valued throughout their time at the school. Students are admitted without discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, race, disability, or nationality. Applicants are evaluated on their potential to thrive within our educational framework, to contribute positively to the school community, and our capacity to address their unique educational requirements effectively.

Criteria

UAS wishes to accept all interested and eligible applicants, with admissions broadly based on the following

criteria:

● The family’s educational goals align with the Mission, Vision and definition of learning at UAS;

● There is a likelihood that the student’s learning and well-being will flourish in the UAS learning

environment;

● The student’s records demonstrate a committed disposition toward learning;

● The student’s records demonstrate consistently safe and appropriate behavior and positive

contributions to the school community and learning environment;

● The student’s individual learning and/or English language needs can be met by UAS support services.

Application Process

UAS operates on a rolling admissions basis, allowing students to apply and be accepted throughout the year. We encourage families to submit their applications as soon as they determine that UAS is the ideal fit for their child, ensuring a smooth transition into our community. Applications are accepted up to one year before the anticipated start date, providing families with flexibility and ample time to plan.

The application process at UAS is fully facilitated online through our website. Our user-friendly online application portal provides a comprehensive checklist outlining the requirements for Nursery through Grade 12. Applicants are required to upload the following documents directly to the online application:

1. Both parents’ and students’ passports
2. Up-to-date Health and Vaccination Records
3. Receipt of payment of USD 150 Application fee, one per family
4. Student handwritten essay for entry into Grades 3-12
5. Teacher and principal recommendations as explained on the application
6. School Transcripts/Report Cards for the last 2 years (in English or Spanish)

Once an application is complete with all the required items, the Admissions Officer presents the application to the Admissions Committee.

This committee, composed of division principals, counselors, learning support specialists, and other educational team members, carefully evaluates each application to ensure alignment with UAS’s mission, values, and admissions criteria. Each candidate is considered thoughtfully.

Student Assessment

All applicants for Early Childhood (or any student attending school for the first time) will interview with the Elementary Counselor to evaluate school readiness. The Admissions Committee may request MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) or ELL (English Language Learner) testing of students. ELL testing measures the ability of the student to speak, listen, read and write in the English language, as well as other academic skills.

Decision

Typically, within a few weeks of receiving a completed application, the Admissions Committee returns a decision. An email notification is promptly sent to the family to communicate the outcome of the application. Each application is evaluated with care, and the Admissions Committee may render one of three possible decisions:

A. Acceptance: if an applicant is qualified and there is space available, a formal letter of acceptance is issued by email. All tuition payments must be arranged through the Finance Office before the student may begin classes.
A non-refundable deposit of US $1000 is due upon acceptance for each student. This deposit will be deducted from the first tuition payment.

B. Waiting List: if there is no space available in the selected grade level, qualified applicants are placed on a waiting list.

C. Denial: applicants can be denied admissions based on their academic/and or behavioral record, because their English language proficiency does not meet grade-level requirements, or when UAS lacks a program to meet their educational needs.

The school will determine the grade level placement of applicants based on age, prior schooling, levels of English and course of study.

Age of Entry

Age (by October 1st)Grade Level
3Nursery
4Pre-K
5K
6Grade 1
7Grade 2
8Grade 3
9Grade 4
10Grade 5
11Grade 6
12Grade 7
13Grade 8
14Grade 9
15Grade 10
16Grade 11
17Grade 12

*NOTE: Pre-Nursery class is offered when demand requires. Pre-Nursery students begin in February and must be 2 years and 7 months of age or older (2 years of age by August 1st) and toilet trained.

The Uruguayan American School accepts students with specific mild learning differences and with mild physical disabilities (e.g., orthopedic, auditory, visual, or other health impairments) provided that the school facilities and personnel can accommodate them. The school does not have the facilities or resources to accommodate students with severe learning needs, emotional disorders, or physical disabilities. Therefore, we cannot accept students for whom these resources are not adequate. However, the school’s leadership may, in certain instances, admit students whose learning and/or physical needs exceed its capacity to support, provided that:

● The parent or a source other than the school pays for accommodations, such as additional staff, resources, equipment, etc.
● The school approves any resources and support personnel in advance.
● The parent arranges for and provides any additional resources or support needed.
● The school facility does not need significant modifications to accommodate the disability.
● The school had sufficient time to prepare before the student enrolled.

UAS requires complete medical and assessment records for all students with diagnosed differences. Before beginning the admissions process, parents of children who receive special services, including specific learning difference instruction, remedial support, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy outside of the regular classroom, must notify the school. Upon admission, regular communication between the school, the parents, and, if applicable, the outside support specialist(s) will be required.

Student Support / Additional Needs

UAS has a Student Support Team in Elementary and Secondary Schools. The mission of the Student Support Team is to support the academic, social, developmental and emotional growth of all UAS students. The Student Support Team is dedicated to providing comprehensive support services tailored to the diverse needs of our student body.

English Language Learning (ELL)

We use entrance evaluations, classroom and teacher observations, as well as formal ELL testing to determine eligibility for the ELL program
English Language Learning (ELL) is a systematic instructional service that focuses on teaching academic and social English to students who require support to function and succeed in the classroom. Students benefit from these services until they reach their grade-level proficiency or can function appropriately in the mainstream classroom.

Learning Support

Students may be eligible for support by presenting documented evidence of prior special services or an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) from a previous school. During the admissions process, if a student has previously received special services, the Student Support Team will assess if UAS can accommodate their needs. Parents are required to furnish comprehensive records detailing any prior evidence of learning differences and/or services received. UAS