Admissions
We're delighted that you've chosen to take the next step towards joining the GEMS School of Research and Innovation community.
Deciding whether GEMS School of Research and Innovation is the right fit for your child lies at the heart of our admissions process. Our dedicated admissions and parent liaison team are committed to providing a seamless and tailored experience for you and your family..
Our application process is designed to be straightforward, and we are here to assist you at every stage. To start your child's journey with us, please share your details, and a member of the admissions team will reach out to guide you through the next steps.
School Age Cut-off Requirements
To support children’s wellbeing and readiness for school, education authorities have introduced age cut-off requirements that ensure children begin their learning journey at the most appropriate developmental stage, while also creating consistency across schools and Early Years providers.
These requirements apply to new student admissions from the 2026–27 academic year.*
*These age eligibility requirements apply to children enrolling in a school or Early Childhood Centre for the first time, in accordance with the approved age cut-off dates. Students who are currently enrolled in schools or ECCs will not be affected by this amendment.
Useful Information:
School Ages by Grade/Year (New Age Eligibility Requirements)
|
Age |
British Curriculum (UK) |
American Curriculum |
Australia/ NZ |
South Africa |
|
"Year" |
"Grade" |
"Year" |
"Year" |
|
|
2 years old as of Dec 31 |
Nursery |
Nursery |
-- | -- |
|
3 years old as of Dec 31 (toilet trained) |
FS1 (Nursery) |
PreK or Nursery |
-- |
-- |
|
4 years old as of Dec 31 (toilet trained) |
FS2 (Reception) |
KG1 |
KG |
-- |
|
5 years old as of Dec 31 |
1 |
KG2 |
Prep |
Reception |
|
6 years old as of Dec 31 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 years old |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
8 years old |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
9 years old |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
10 years old |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
11 years old |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
12 years old |
8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
13 years old |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
14 years old |
10 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
15 years old |
11 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
16 years old |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
17 years old |
13 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
School Ages by Grade/Year (Current Students)
The table below shows the current age eligibility requirements, which remain unchanged for all students who are already enrolled. These requirements will continue to apply for the duration of the student’s enrolment
|
Age of August 31 of each school year |
British Curriculum (UK) |
American Curriculum |
Australia/ NZ |
South Africa |
|
"Year" |
"Grade" |
"Year" |
"Year" |
|
|
2 years |
Nursery |
Nursery |
-- | -- |
|
3 years old (toilet trained) |
FS1 (Nursery) |
PreK or Nursery |
-- |
-- |
|
4 years old(toilet trained) |
FS2 (Reception) |
KG1 |
KG |
-- |
|
5 years old |
1 |
KG2 |
Prep |
Reception |
|
6 years old |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 years old |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
8 years old |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
9 years old |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
10 years old |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
11 years old |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
12 years old |
8 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
13 years old |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
14 years old |
10 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
15 years old |
11 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
16 years old |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
17 years old |
13 |
12 |
12 |
12 |