Criteria

Children are assessed in the following areas expected for a child's chronological and development age: social-emotional development, speech and language development (overall linguistic abilities), and academic and pre-academic concepts and skills in the areas of reading and mathematics. 

Applicants for PK, K1, and K2 are assessed in two observations:

• Individual Assessment: Social and Motor Skills Observation session, using the Gesell Developmental Observation-Revised (GDO-R)
• Group Assessment: The group assessment is a 30- to 40-minute visit to a current classroom and includes story time and various centers to observe behavior, ability to follow directions, motor skills, and interaction with adults and other students. Applicants for K2 are expected to enter both of these observations independently.

Applicants residing abroad must submit videos and, if more information is needed, must participate in an in-person assessment upon arrival in Chile.

Assessment Tool: Nido uses The Gesell Developmental Observation Assessment System developed by the Gesell Institute at the University of Yale, uses direct observation to describe a child’s cognitive, language, motor or social-emotional responses in five strands (Strand A general development, Strand B letters and numbers, Strand C comprehension, strand D visual-spatial and strand E, socio-emotional). Additional Reports may be requested. The GDO-R is administered by trained evaluators from the Nido staff. 

Applicants are evaluated according to the grade they are applying to: 

• PK: Strand A & E
• K1: Strands A, B & E
• K2: Strands A, B, C, D  & E

Additional information is gathered from parents and teachers through questionnaires to provide a broad perspective on a child’s development. 

Each strand of the GDO-R determines if the child is developmentally “age appropriate”, “emerging” or “concern” based on the skills performance during the evaluation: 

• If an applicant is evaluated as "age appropriate" in all areas tested, the applicant meets the admissions criteria.
• If the applicant presents an “emerging” result in one or more areas, they are considered to meet the admission criteria.
• If the result is “of concern” in any area, the applicant is considered to not meet the admission criteria.
• If the applicant is unable to complete the assessment, it will be terminated, and they will be considered to not meet the admission criteria.
• If the K2 applicant is unable to enter the room independently, they will be considered to not meet the admission criteria.

Applicants are evaluated through the admissions assessment in the following areas that are expected for a child's chronological and developmental age: language skills, math concepts and application, social-emotional development, organizational and study skills, and overall fit for the Nido curriculum. 

• Previous School Records: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 5.5 in the Chilean scale or the equivalent in the core subjects (English, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science) and 85% attendance for two consecutive years. 
• Confidential Teacher/Counselor Questionnaires: These provide information on social skills, study habits, and academic and social performance.
• Language:
  • Fountas and Pinnell (in English or Spanish). 98% accuracy and satisfactory comprehension at grade level are required to meet the admission criteria for this assessment.
  • NWEA MAP Reading: A score above the 30th percentile is required to meet the admission criteria.
• Math:
  • Nido End-of-Year Math Assessment: A score above 75% is required to meet the admission criteria.
  • NWEA MAP Math: A score above the 30th percentile is required to meet the admission criteria.

All evaluations are administered by Nido staff.

• Previous School Records: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 5.5 in the Chilean grading scale or the equivalent in each of the core subjects (English, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and 85% attendance for three consecutive years.
• Confidential Teacher/Counselor Questionnaires:  These provide information on social skills, study habits, and academic and social performance.
• Interview with the counselor: To obtain more information about previous school experiences and any socio-emotional aspects that may affect a transition to a new school.
• Language: A score above the 30th percentile on the NWEA MAP Reading Screener is required.
• Mathematics: A score above the 30th percentile on the NWEA MAP Math Screener is required.

• English as an Additional Language: see criteria below. 

All evaluations are administered by Nido staff.

Applicants are evaluated through the admissions assessment in the following areas expected for their chronological and developmental age: language skills, math concepts and application, social-emotional development, organizational and study skills, and overall fit for the Nido curriculum. 

• Previous School Records: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 5.5 average on the Chilean grading scale or its equivalent in each of the core subjects (English, Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science), and a minimum attendance rate of 85%, each year for the last 3 years. 
• Confidential Teacher/Counselor Questionnaires:  These provide information on social skills, study habits, and academic and social performance.
• Interview with the counselor: To obtain more information about previous school experiences and any socio-emotional aspects that may affect a transition to a new school.

• Mathematics: 

• Applicants for Grades 9 and 10: A score above the 30th percentile on the NWEA MAP Math Growth is required.

• Applicants for Grades 11 and 12: A score above 70% on the assessment is required.

• English as an additional language: See criteria below.

All evaluations are administered by Nido staff.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING START DATES

Students applying to High School must have finished the previous semester in their previous school and start at Nido at the beginning of the semester. If your student will not have completed the previous semester, or if your family will be arriving after the first day of classes in the semester, please contact the admissions office to discuss this further. 

Students applying to G12 need to be available to start at the beginning of the school year, as it is a graduation requirement to have completed at least one full academic year at Nido. 

Nido offers the full IB Diploma Program (IBDP) or the IB Partial Plan.  Direct admission to the IBDP is based on a student’s academic record, a history of academic integrity and teacher questionnaires. 

Specifically, candidates are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.1 on the US scale or 6.4 on the Chilean scale and should not have received Ds or Fs (or their equivalent) in their high school records.  Teacher recommendations are based on the student’s coursework in each subject area and specifically state which IB course and level (SL or HL) students are prepared to pursue in Grade 11.  Once all of the information is gathered, the students, parents, counselors and the IB Coordinator work together to determine the most appropriate academic pathway for each student that will foster growth and is based on their academic strengths, interests and university aspirations.  

Students transferring from IB Diploma Programs with good standing may be able to continue in the IB Diploma Program at Nido if the courses are available at Nido and the student’s specific hexagon of IB courses is compatible with the Nido schedule at the time of transfer.  This transfer policy would be appropriate for Grade 11 applicants entering second semester or Grade 12 applicants.

Students who qualify for English language support programs, based on assessment at the time of admission, are not eligible for the full IB diploma based on the English language proficiency requirements for the IB program. Students who do not meet the above requirements may pursue the partial IB plan, where students take select IB courses to support their interests and academic path.

Since the language of instruction at Nido de Águilas is English, it is essential that applicants have a level of language proficiency that allows them to actively participate in classes and progress adequately in the curriculum. For this reason, all applicants whose native language is not English must take a language proficiency assessment, the WIDA evaluation.

The WIDA exam assesses academic language skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The scores obtained determine whether the applicant can be admitted directly, requires language support, or does not meet the admission criteria. The minimum level required varies depending on the grade level to which the student is applying and is detailed below.

WIDA scores are from 1 (lowest) to 6 (highest). The table below shows the minimum WIDA scores required for each grade level and English support program.

• English as an Additional Language (EAL) Academy: For students who need the most English support.
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP): For students with intermediate English who are preparing for full participation in academic classes.

Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) program supports students from K2 through Grade 12 in becoming proficient in English. The program ensures that students receive the guidance and instruction they need to succeed in the classroom.

• For younger students (PreK-K1), English support is built into the curriculum.
• There is an additional fee starting G4 for students who are beginners (EAL Academy) and starting in Grade 6 for EAP and EAL services.