The ICARDA International School of Aleppo exists primarily to offer an internationally accepted educational program for the expatriate children of the staff of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas. As such, the school is guided primarily by the norms of international (foreign) educational practices, and at the same time complies with the agreement between ICARDA and the Syrian Government.

IISA does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin and seeks to accept all qualified students who apply, subject to the IISA admissions policy and the limitations placed by the Syrian government on the enrollment of Syrian citizens. IISA treats boys and girls equally in allowing them access to courses of study, career guidance, and preparation for qualifying examinations for further study, athletics and extracurricular activities.

The language of instruction of the ICARDA International School of Aleppo is English. The school will maintain separate programs at all grade levels for teaching the Arabic language to native Arabic speakers and to non-native speakers.

Parents wishing to enroll their children in the ICARDA International School of Aleppo are asked to fully consider and understand the IISA Mission Statement as well as the implications of the school's approach to the following topics:

1. Languages: While the school offers Arabic for native speakers as well as for non-native speakers, the focus of the school is more on multi–language use than on fluency in a single language.
2. Pedagogy: The style of instruction in all courses, including language courses, is based on international (foreign) norms as outlined in the school’s Mission Statement.
3. Curriculum: The IISA elementary division (grades 1-5) implements the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP). The secondary division (grades 6-10) follows a blended approach. In grades 9 and 10, IISA students take IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) courses and sit for CIE (University of Cambridge International Examinations) at the end of grade 10. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is in place in grades 11 and 12.
4. Culminating secondary credentials: IISA high school students (grades 9-12) work to earn a US-style High School Diploma as well as an IB Diploma.
5. Accrediting Agencies: IISA students earn foreign credentials and the school is regularly inspected and accredited by foreign agencies. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) is the regional association which accredits the ICARDA International School of Aleppo in the U.S.A. IISA students earn Cambridge international qualifications (IGCSE's). The ICARDA International School of Aleppo is recognized as an IB World School by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
6. Syrian Ministry of Education recognition of IISA IB Diploma: The Syrian Ministry of Education recognizes IISA’s IB Diploma. According to an official communication from the Syrian Ministry of Education to the Directorate of Education in Aleppo, dated 23rd of February 2006 and numbered (8/4) 43/7/625, the IB Diploma earned by IISA graduates is equivalent to the Syrian Baccalaureate and validated in accordance with a pre-established educational plan that prepares Syrian students and other students under similar conditions for Syrian examination in Arabic Language, History, Geography, and National/Civil Education. The coursework is offered in all grade levels    (1 - 12) in Arabic, to IISA Syrian students.
7. The Syrian Brévet Examination: Syrian students who seek to enroll at IISA at the High School level (grades 9 -12) must have previously taken the Syrian Brévet Examination in order to qualify for subsequent official recognition of IISA's IB Diploma from the Syrian Ministry of Education. IISA does not follow a program to prepare students for the Syrian Brévet. A Syrian national enrolling in grade 9 must arrange to prepare for, and take the Syrian Brévet Examination independently. Syrian students who are admitted to IISA before grade 8, as well as students who enroll from foreign schools abroad do not need to sit for the Syrian Brévet.
8. Special Needs Policy: IISA is not equipped or staffed to educate students with severe learning disabilities, physical or mental handicaps, or emotional problems. The SMC reserves the right to exclude students whose needs could not be adequately met, and authorizes the School Head to exclude students on that basis, including ICARDA sponsored students.
9. Diagnostic Testing: The parent(s) understand and agree that individual academic and/or diagnostic testing may be administered as necessary to their child. Parents will be notified of such testing. If the testing cannot be done at IISA, the parents will be referred to an external educational psychologist. The cost of the same will be borne by the parents.
10. Regional Studies and Educational Field Trips: The parent understands that classes take field trips to take advantage of the rich cultural and environmental resources of Syria and its neighboring countries, (including countries which are destinations for our Regional Studies Trips) and that these experiences form part of the regular educational program. All school trips will be supervised by staff members and/or other responsible adults who will exercise all reasonable caution. However, the parent agrees that the school and/or the School Management Committee cannot accept any liability for accidents either en route, or at the activity or outing itself.
11. School Rules: The student and the parent are encouraged to read or consult the IISA Parent/Student Handbook, which is published yearly. The parent and the student should abide by all of the school's established policies and procedures.

Parents are kindly asked to discuss these issues with the school prior to enrolling their child. By enrolling their child, they accept that they understand the above.