Membership Application FAQ
Why does the JCIS membership application process take so long?
JCIS prioritizes a thorough process ensuring that membership is a right fit both for the school and the organization. It involves document review, site visits and periods of consideration with input at levels of governance. These are important decisions and need a thorough and careful process.
Why do I have to submit an Expression of Interest first? Why can’t I just submit the formal application first?
This is to save time for the applicant school. The full application is an extended process involving reflection against standards and the provision of evidence. JCIS wishes to ensure that schools are clear on their JCIS journey, and aligned in principle to the criteria for membership, before embarking on this process and submitting the non-refundable application fee.
Under what circumstances would a school not be invited to submit a formal application after submitting an Expression of Interest?
This may happen if there is a key criteria for membership that the school has overlooked and which would not make an application eligible for consideration at this time.
Can you take an initial look at my formal application and give me a preliminary indication of the chances for successful acceptance before I pay the non-refundable application fee?
It is intended that these alignment conversations will happen at the point of making a decision to invite a school to submit a formal application. While JCIS will be available to support questions as a school builds its application, it is not possible to pre-vet a full application at the point of submission.
Who reviews and has access to the documentation that I submit? How do you maintain confidentiality?
Applications and associated documentation will be reviewed by members of the Membership Committee and visiting team members if a site visit is to be arranged. Members who are direct competitors (same area/city) or who otherwise hold a conflict of interest will be recused. The details of the process will remain confidential until the report from the site visit team. Their report to the full JCIS Board will not include the evidence submitted but will focus on the extent to which criteria are met or not met.
Do you return/delete the documentation that I provide after the membership decision is made?
Yes, the documentation is either deleted or returned as applicable.
After submitting a formal application, under what circumstances would a school not be allowed to advance to the site visit stage?
In the case that the documentation submitted did not exhibit sufficient alignment with the criteria for membership, the visit would not proceed.
If I am providing accreditation reports and other documentation, why do you need to make a site visit?
When joining JCIS you are joining a community. This is not an accreditation, nor is it membership of a club or a subscription to an organization. It is entering into a partnership that is designed to be mutually beneficial for the school and JCIS. A visit is necessary to make this mutual assessment so that both the school and JCIS are confident moving forward.
How long is the site visit and how many people are on the visiting team?
A typical visiting team would be three people visiting the school for one full day.
Can I review who is on the visiting team beforehand and request substitution if there is a potential conflict of interest?
Yes, if there is a legitimate conflict of interest you may request an alternate visitor. A conflict of interest exists in the case that you are a direct competitor to the school of the visitor (same city/region) or in the case that the visitor has worked at your school within the past 10 years.
Can you share what a typical site visit schedule looks like?
This is built together with the school around the specifics of the school’s schedule. It will typically involve a tour of the school, meetings with staff, leadership, students, parents and board members/owners as well as a chance to observe teaching and learning. Some meetings (e.g. board/owner) may happen online prior to or following the visit day itself if necessary, or may be incorporated into an evening meeting on the day prior to or day of the visit.
What are the typical costs that the applicant school must bear for the site visit?
The costs are expenses only. This involves round trip transportation, including transfers, meal costs, and up to 2 nights in a reasonable business hotel for visitors traveling further than 20km to the visit location.
Will I receive a report following the site visit? How long after the visit?
Yes, there will be a report issued. This will be issued at the same time as the decision on membership.
After the site visit, and considering the lengthy and thorough process leading up to it, under what circumstances would a school’s membership application be denied?
Matters of misalignment with the criteria that are evidenced in the initial documentation would normally be expected to be identified prior to a visit. The visit itself is for the school and JCIS to make a judgment about the extent to which the documentation is lived in practice, and the nature of the school as a possible contributing member of the JCIS community in terms of its outlook and capacity. A school with strong programs and facilities offering an internationally minded curriculum of quality which is already playing a strong role in partnership with others would likely be accepted. However the visiting team will make a recommendation to the JCIS board based on its observations and the board will make the final decision.
If accepted, when is the New Member Joining Fee/Annual Membership Fee due?
The New Member Joining Fee (50% of Annual Membership Fee) will be billed together with the Annual Membership Fee in mid-September and is due in mid-October. Note that the Annual Membership Fee is based on total student enrollment as of September 1st.
If denied, is it possible to reapply for membership at a later date?
Yes. An application is welcomed following resolution of any matters identified in the report and no earlier than 2 years from the date of the initial visit.