CAC Admissions
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
We welcome your interest in Cairo American College, a private coeducational day school offering an American curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Like other private schools, we require information that helps us to determine whether there is a good match between our program of instruction and the applicant's educational needs. This document is provided to assist you in the application process.
All applicants to CAC must submit the following:
1) Completed Application for Admission (front and back), signed by parent or guardian and with one photograph of the applicant attached.
2) Medical examination form, to be completed by a physician within 4 months prior to the student's entry in school.
3) Two Medical History forms, to be completed by the applicant's parents.
4) Complete, official school records for the past two years (three years for students applying to Grade 12). Records must be forwarded by the applicant's previous school(s) directly to CAC. In the case that the records are not in English, an official English translation must also be submitted.
5) A completed and signed release form authorizing CAC to request school records from previous schools.
6) Copy of the applicant's passport or birth certificate.
An application fee of $350 must be paid to the cashier at the time of application for admission or re-admission. This fee is not refundable, but for first-time applicants will be credited to tuition upon enrollment.
In addition to reviewing previous records, CAC often administers tests to applicants at all grade levels, to facilitate decisions regarding admission and placement. All of the above documents must be received before a testing appointment can be made. In the case of students applying for August admission, the counselors are available 7-14 days prior to the opening of school. Families should plan their arrival date accordingly so that students will be ready to enter the first day of school.
All fees for the semester must be paid before students can be admitted to classes. If the sponsoring employer is making payment directly to the school, parents should ensure that their company or institution has made arrangements to pay the fees before each semester begins.
The following policies regarding admissions should also be noted:
- In terms of admission priorities, CAC gives first consideration to qualified U.S. citizens. Other applicants are admitted as space is available.
- Applicants of Egyptian citizenship must provide the school with a letter from the Minister of Education authorizing the student's enrollment at CAC.
- Applicants for Pre-Kindergarten must be four years old on or before September 30 of the school year for which an application is made.
- Applicants for Kindergarten must be five years old on or before September 30 of the school year for which an application is made.
- The senior year must be completed in residence by students intending to graduate from CAC and students must complete the graduation requirements before their 20th birthday.
- The school has very limited academic support services. As with any applicant, those with special needs may be assessed to determine the appropriateness of admission based on their ability to succeed in the standard curriculum in a normal classroom setting, as required by school policy.
- Students with significant emotional/behavioral problems will not be admitted.
- Non-native speakers of English who are not fluent in the language may be admitted if space is available in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program. In the secondary school, admission to the ESL program also depends upon the applicant's achieving a sufficient score on the English language placement examination. The ESL program must be successfully completed by the end of Grade 10.
Parents and students should be aware of the following policies regarding the school's curricular requirements and guardianship of students:
- Cairo American College is a private, secular American school. All students must satisfy the curricular requirements as outlined in the school's policies. These include participation in health courses (which include sex education), mixed physical education classes with a swimming component and other specific graduation requirements for secondary school students.
- Students admitted to Cairo American College must reside with their parents. Guardianships, in lieu of residing with parents, must have prior approval of the school.
All questions regarding admissions should be directed to the office of the Director of Admissions. We look forward to welcoming you to Cairo American College.
Registrar/Director of Admissions

AOK/sa 4/07
PREFERENTIAL CONDITIONS FOR ADMISSION
Cairo American College was established primarily to serve American children in Egypt. Cairo American College gives priority for admission as follows:
First priority:
- U.S. citizens or dependents of U.S. citizens*
- Applicants who receive tuition as a CAC contractual benefit.
Second priority:
Dependents or children of non US expatriate employees of organizations with policy mandated Board appointments.
Third priority:
Dependents of non-U.S. expatriate employees of U.S. – based firms/organizations.
Fourth priority:
Non-U.S. applicants who have been enrolled in U.S. schools or overseas schools that offer an American curriculum immediately prior to their coming to Cairo.
Fifth priority:
Egyptian citizens**
Sixth priority:
All others.
In addition to these priorities, decisions regarding admission of applicants may be based on other factors including, but not limited to, time of application, and the school’s wish to maintain a cultural balance in the student body so as to maintain the American character of the institution.
When approaching facility or programmatic limitations, a waiting list for admission of second through sixth priority students (listed above) will be developed and administered by the Director of Admissions. Only applicants who have fulfilled application requirements are eligible for the waiting list.
In the event of waiting lists, beginning ninety days prior to the start of the first semester, admissible applicants will be accepted in accordance with the preferential conditions for admission stated above. Applicants who are not accommodated at this time will be the first accepted when vacancies arise. Admissible applications received thereafter will be considered in the order they are received.
On February 1st, vacancies for which no US applicants have been received will be released. US applicants will then have first priority on the waiting list.
Notes:
* Citizenship is established on the basis of passport for non-Egyptian nationals and either passport or birth certificate for Egyptian nationals.
** Egyptian citizens need to present the written approval of their Ministry of Education for their entrance into the school.
Board approved and issued: May 11, 1993
Revised: January 20, 1998, May 15, 2007
ADMISSION OF STUDENTS
Admissions:
Admission to Cairo American College is dependent upon whether or not the school can meet the educational and personal needs of the student. A student requiring significant educational support or who cannot function physically, emotionally, or academically within the mainstream of school life is ineligible. Given the academic expectations at CAC, a student’s prior academic and conduct history will be taken into consideration during the process to determine admission.
The Superintendent will not admit more students than the facilities of the Cairo American College can accommodate in light of the school's goal of providing a high quality education. Students will be admitted to CAC on a full-time basis only except for those who are admitted under the provisions of Policy 7.507, Programs for Children with Special Needs.
It is expected that students admitted to CAC reside with their parents. Guardianships, in lieu of residing with parents, must have prior approval of the school administration.
Children whose first language is not English may be required to take specific language examinations to determine whether or not they can be admitted. Any student who, apart from the need for special English instruction, has been recommended for any special educational programs in previous schooling, will generally not be accepted.
Exceptions to the admissions policy must be approved by the Superintendent.
Procedures:
Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year. Families seeking admission for their children should make an appointment with the Director of Admissions. Procedures to be followed in applications/admissions are found in the accompanying regulation, 8.201-R.
Board approved and issued: April 13, 1993
Revised: January 20, 1998, March 20, 2001, March 2002, November 9, 2004, May 15, 2007
EXCHANGE STUDENT PROGRAM
On a space available basis Cairo American College welcomes students wishing to study at CAC for one semester under the legal guardianship of an individual or family living in Egypt subject to guidelines developed by the Administration.
Enrollment in the exchange program is limited to one semester. If the student wishes to extend the period of study he/she would be treated as a regular admission on a retroactive basis.
Exchange students will be required to pay the regular tuition for the semester of attendance plus application fees.
Approved: June 4, 1996
Revised: April 10, 2001, November 15, 2005
AGE CONSIDERATIONS IN ADMISSIONS
Admission to Pre Kindergarten:
Admission to Pre Kindergarten is determined by age and through assessment of the applicant's readiness to benefit from the CAC Pre Kindergarten program. To meet the age requirement, applicants must be four years old on or before September 30th of the school year for which they wish to enroll.
Admission to Kindergarten:
Admission to Kindergarten is determined by age and through assessment of the applicant's readiness to benefit from the CAC Kindergarten program. To meet the age requirement, applicants must be five years old on or before September 30th of the school year for which they wish to enroll.
Admission to Grade 1:
Admission to first grade is determined by age and readiness. To meet the age requirement, applicants must be six years old on or before September 30th of the school year for which they wish to enroll and/or have successfully completed the CAC Kindergarten program or its equivalent, as determined by CAC.
Admission to Middle School/High School:
In addition to requirements for admission noted elsewhere in CAC Board policy, applicants to the middle and high school must be able to successfully satisfy CAC graduation requirements before their 20th birthday.
Board approved and issued: April 13, 1993
Revised: June 6, 2000, April 24, 2007
CONTACT INFORMATION
Amina A. O'Kane
Director of Admissions/Registrar
Cairo American College
P.O. Box 39
Maadi, 11431
Cairo, Egypt
Phone: (202)-2755-5507 or 2755-5508
Fax: (202)-2519-6584
E-mail: registrar@cacegypt.org |