“I felt supported and happy when I was studying at SON, and most importantly, I enjoyed the time spent studying. I am very grateful to have built a family-like bonding with my classmates.”
Admissions
Upon receipt of your application, payment, and all accompanying documents by 7 March 2024, you will be contacted to confirm the date and time for the interview and placement test.
Parents may contact the school with questions or to solve technical difficulties on our admissions hotline (6325-5725) or email admission@schoolofthenations.com.
From 1 March 2024, students in P1 to Form 5 can apply in four ways:
Option 1. Online Portal: Application, document submission, AND payment with MPay. (Preferred option)
Option 2. Assisted: Visit the school and receive assistance to use a computer terminal to complete the online application form, submit documents, and pay using MPay.
Option 3. Traditional: Visit the school to submit the required documents and completed PDF application form. Pay using cash.
Option 4. Overseas: For parents without access to MPay and our campus, email the completed PDF application form and other required documents to admission@schoolofthenations.com. Payment methods will be discussed.
Why do parents choose School of the Nations?
School of the Nations is widely recognized for its academic rigour. Our students are prepared for internationally recognized IGCSE exams and the IB Diploma Programme, and have a strong track record of results. Graduating students often attend highly regarded universities in East Asia, Europe, and North America.
The integrated approach the school takes to the moral and intellectual development of students, and its focus on service to the community, is appealing to many parents.
The school has a diverse teaching staff and student body and focuses on developing proficiency in the English and Mandarin Chinese languages. We strive to promote a harmonious, uplifting and encouraging school environment.
Criteria and Considerations
There is no formula or point system for admissions. Instead, we look holistically at the strengths of every individual applicant and assess their ability to succeed in our school environment. We seek to determine whether students would be able to benefit from and contribute to the school community. Because of our strong ELL and Chinese programmes, there are no rigid English or Mandarin proficiency requirements for admissions.
Roughly 80% of our students tend to be citizens of Macau or Mainland China, though there is no target in place. Our admissions process does not consider gender, race, religion, beliefs, colour, or national and ethnic origin.
Additional consideration may be given to children of faculty members, siblings of current students, children of alumni, and returning students.
How to Apply:
To Enter Kindergarten 1 (K1)
The Macau Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEDJ) centrally manages the application of first-time students into K1. These are students who turn 3 years old before 31 December of the year they would enroll in September. You may contact the school if you miss this application window.
2024-2025 Dates & Procedures
- 5–16 January 2024, register with the DSEDJ in person or on its Central Registration Portal for Children Entering Kindergarten for the First Time
- 21–23 February 2024, visit the school to confirm the interview details and pay an application fee of MOP$1,000.
- 2 March 2024, attend the interview day. The duration of the interview is about 50 minutes. Parents should arrive with their child at least 25 minutes prior to the scheduled interview time for registration. Parents will be required to complete a short questionnaire after registration. Children will be taken in groups for activities where they will be observed. One parent will accompany the child for this. Following this, parents will have a short interview together with their child. On the Interview Day please present the “Interview QR Code” a screenshot of which is recommended in advance).
- 9 April 2024, results will be announced on the DSEDJ website, on the school’s website, and by SMS.
Acceptance:
- 9–11 April 2024, parents must confirm their choice of school on the DSEDJ website.
- 13–16 April 2024, pay non-refundable and non-transferable deposit to reserve K1 seat.
Waiting List:
- From 12 April 2024, parents of the wait list students will be contacted directly.
To Enter K2 to Form 5
SON has rolling admissions, so students—except those in Form 6—may apply at any time to join the school within the academic year. Please inquire with the school before applying.
Students who wish to enter the IB Diploma Program, in Form 5 or Form 6, should refer to the IBDP Admissions Policy.
For students who wish to apply for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year, there are fixed dates and procedures, detailed in the following section. Parents may contact the school if they miss the application window. Whether applying for the current or upcoming academic year, certain documents must be submitted.
Required Documents
2024-2025 Dates & Procedures
- The admissions process for 2024-2025 begins from 1 March 2024. Upon receipt of your completed application forms, the School will arrange a date and time for placement test and interview. For applications received by 7 March 2024, placement test and interview will be organized on 9 March 2024. For applications received after 7 March 2024, the School will set a date and time for the placement test and interview, if there are seats available.
- 16 March 2024, results will be announced on the school’s website and SMS sent.
- Successful candidates must pay their deposit (non-refundable and non-transferable) between 13 – 16 April 2024.
Additional Information:
School of the Nations collects tuition to fund high-level educational programmes, hire and retain talented faculty and staff, and maintain a safe campus that will facilitate learning. The school is a non-profit entity which exists only to provide education to students. Any excess revenue is reinvested to improve the education we provide.
At least 70% of our revenue is used for teacher salaries and benefits, with the remaining 30% used to support the learning process through such necessities as learning materials, lab costs, administrative functions, facility cleaning and maintenance.
As school fees are determined based on the high standard of education we wish to provide, the school endeavours to use the funds it collects as economically as possible.
> View 2024-25 Fees
> View 2024-25 Table of School Fees
Information about scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year:
1. 2024-2025 Scholarship Overview and Application Process (English | Chinese)
2. Scholarship Application Form (Bi-lingual)
3. Financial Status Declaration Form (Bi-lingual)
The steps for withdrawal from the school are:
- Inform the level administrator
- Complete the withdrawal form (this involves getting signatures confirming all school property was returned and obligations settled)
- Request a transcript (may take 10 working days to process)
Frequently Asked Questions:
We look at a broad spectrum of indicators in the application and during the interview. Since the process looks at disposition and potential in addition to prior excellence or abilities, there is often little that should be done in preparation.
Our advice to students is just to be themselves and to arrive well-rested to the interview.
There is high demand for enrollments at School of the Nations. Our student body is approximately 650 students, and every year we accept about 50 new students into K1. We do not usually accept students after Form 4 due the unique requirements of the school’s programmes at the higher levels.
Sudden vacancies do occasionally open up. We accept applications throughout the academic year for all levels (except Form 6) when we have vacancies. Please inquire with the school before applying.
While this varies each year, we typically have about a 10 to 15% admissions rate in Kindergarten and 30% in older grades.
Besides our website, parents can arrange to have a tour of the school or visit us during Public Information Day, planned on a Saturday in January each year.