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. Accreditation-  IISA is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
2. Policy of non-discrimination-  IISA does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex or national origin.
   • Admission of qualified candidates is selective and subject to the IISA admissions policy and agreements with the Syrian Ministry of Education, with regard to the enrollment of Syrian citizens.
   • IISA treats boys and girls equally in facilitating access to programs of study, career guidance, athletics and extracurricular activities.
3. Language Policy-  IISA has a written language policy that provides for second language teaching and host language support.
   • English is the language of instruction and working language at the ICARDA International School of Aleppo.
   • Modern Standard Arabic is required. The school maintains separate programs for teaching the Arabic language to native Arabic speakers, and to non-native speakers.
4. International Curriculam- IISA offers internationally recognized academic programs that lead to foreign (non-Syrian) culminating credentials. The approach and style of instruction, including language learning, is derived from the IISA Mission Statement & Beliefs, IISA Language Policy, and IB Learner Profile.
   • IISA Elementary School curriculum (grades N-5): International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP)
   • IISA Middle School (grades 6-8): International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP)
   • IISA High School (grade 9-12): International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) in grades 9 and 10. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is in place in Grades 11 and 12. Students sit for final IB Diploma Program examinations at the end of grade 12.
   • Students are expected to participate in all courses of the programs.
5. Culminating Secondary Credential- Students who graduate from IISA earn a US-style High School Diploma. The IB Diploma is conferred by the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
6. Official Syrian Recognition Diploma: As per 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.
   • Syrian students who seek to enroll in the IISA High School must have previously taken the Syrian Brévet examination in order to qualify for subsequent official recognition of IISA's IB Diploma. 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 independently. Syrian dual nationals 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.
   • Students who are Syrian citizens must take Arabic for native speakers with Syrian Studies. Coursework in Syrian Studies may lead to Syrian examination in Arabic Language, History, Geography, and National/Civil Education if the student aspires to study in a Syrian university.
   • Syrian students must eventually enroll in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and will be required to take Modern Standard Arabic as an IB elective.
7. Regional Studies- All students in Grades 6-12 are expected to participate in IISA Regional Studies. "Week without Walls" experiences form an integral part of the IISA academic program and are designed to foster appreciation for the rich cultural, historical and environmental heritage and resources of Syria and its neighbors.
8. Special Needs Policy- IISA is not equipped or staffed to educate students with severe learning disabilities, some physical or mild to severe intellectual disabilities, as well as emotional and/or behavioral problems. The Board reserves the right to exclude students whose needs could not be adequately met, and authorizes the Head of School to exclude students on that basis, including ICARDA sponsored students. If a student who is already enrolled at IISA develops or is identified as having a condition that precludes participation in all or most of the regular academic program, the School Head may exclude that student from further attendance.
9. Diagnostic Testing- Some individual diagnostic testing can be administered at IISA with previous parental permission at an additional cost. IISA has a list of possible outside referrals.
10. School Rules- It is expected that the student will abide by all of the school's established policies and procedures. The student and the parent are encouraged to read or consult the IISA Parent/Student Handbook for Primary and the IISA Parent/Student Handbook for Secondary, which are published yearly.