Upper School Admissions Consulting for The Awty International School
Guidance for families applying to Grades 9–12 at this Houston IB and French Baccalauréat school
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including The Awty International School.
As Seen On
About the School
About The Awty International School: Upper School
Founded in 1956 by Kathleen “Kay” Awty and merged with the French School of Houston in 1984, The Awty International School is Houston’s largest private day school, serving PK3 through Grade 12. In the Upper School (Grades 9–12), students choose between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which does not require French, and the French Baccalauréat (FB) Diploma; Awty is the only school in Houston fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education. Awty draws students from approximately 50 countries and enrolls roughly 1,750–1,800 students across all divisions.
Fast Facts
Location
7455 Awty School Lane, Houston, TX 77055
Type
Private, co-ed, day school, nonsectarian, Grades PK3–12 (Upper School: Grades 9–12)
Student-Teacher Ratio
approximately 9:1
Diploma Options
International Baccalaureate (IB) or French Baccalauréat (FB)
Testing Required
ISEE
Academic & Admissions Snapshot
French Ministry Accreditation
Only school in Houston fully accredited by the French Ministry of Education
Application Fee
$200
Application Platform
Ravenna
Interview
Required, scheduled through Ravenna beginning mid-October
Athletics
12 interscholastic sports
Campus Development
New 155,000-square-foot Campus Center, opened 2021–on, winner of the 2025 AIA Houston Design Award
Want a Full Picture?
For a deeper look at Awty’s Upper School admissions process and student life, see our full How to Get Into The Awty International Upper School: Best Admissions Guide.
What Sets Awty Upper School’s Admissions Process Apart?
What makes Awty Upper School’s admissions process unique is its dual diploma system: applicants must select between the International Baccalaureate (IB) track (no French required) and the French Baccalauréat (FB) track during application. Additionally, secondary school applicants applying to the IB track are required to take the ISEE exam, while FB applicants complete Awty’s internal French entrance evaluation (Test d’entrée).
Key Admissions Dates & Events
Application Portal Opens
September 1, 2026
Preliminary Application Deadline
November 20, 2026
All Application Requirements Due
January 14, 2027
Campus Tours
September 2026 – January 2027 (schedule through Ravenna)
Student Interviews
October 2026 – January 2027 (schedule through Ravenna)
Secondary School Open House
November 8, 2026 (2:00 – 4:00 pm)
On-Campus ISEE Exam
December 5, 2026
What the Awty Upper School Application Requires
-
01Student Statement
Submitted via Ravenna for all Upper School applicants (Grades 9–12). Candidates complete student statements detailing their academic interests, extracurricular passions, personal background, and reasons for applying to Awty.
-
02Parent/Guardian Statement
Submitted via Ravenna for all Upper School grade levels (Grades 9–12). Parents provide insight into their child’s personal development, academic trajectory, unique strengths, and alignment with Awty’s international mission through the parent/guardian statement.
-
03Teacher & Administrator Recommendations
Awty requires confidential recommendation forms from the student’s current English teacher, math teacher, and a second language teacher, alongside an official reference form from a school administrator or counselor.
-
04Transcript & School Records
Requested electronically via Ravenna using Awty’s official Transcript Release Form. Applicants for Grades 9–12 must submit official transcripts covering the previous two full school years along with all grade reports from the current academic year.
-
05Student Interview
Scheduled via Ravenna after submitting the application. All Grade 9–12 applicants complete an interview with an Awty admissions officer, conducted either in person during a campus visit or virtually for out-of-region families.
-
06ISEE Testing
Applicants entering Grades 9–12 for the International Baccalaureate track submit official ISEE results. French Baccalauréat track candidates take Awty’s internal French entrance evaluation (Test d’entrée).
Expert Admissions Consulting for The Awty International School
Because Awty’s Upper School offers a genuine choice between the IB and French Baccalauréat diploma tracks, families benefit from understanding which path best fits their child before applying. Cardinal Education’s consultants help students prepare for the ISEE and build a complete, compelling application.
Families interested in support tailored to Asian American applicants can also see our Navigating The Awty International School Admissions: A Guide for Asian American Families.
“Awty gave our son a genuinely international education and a real choice between the IB and French Baccalauréat tracks. Cardinal Education helped him prepare for the ISEE and put together a strong application.”— Awty Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Awty require the ISEE?
What application platform does Awty use?
Do I need to know French to attend Awty’s Upper School?
Is an interview required?
Is Awty accredited by the French Ministry of Education?
Considering The Awty International School?
Our consultants help families prepare for the ISEE and choose the right diploma track for their child.