Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 17, 2025
Version: 1.1


The International School of the Turks & Caicos Islands (“ISTCI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to safeguarding the privacy of our students, parents, staff, and visitors to our website www.internationalschooltci.com.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share personal information, in accordance with the Turks and Caicos Islands Data Protection Ordinance (2022) and international best practices for educational institutions.

1. Information We Collect


We collect personal information directly from parents, guardians, students, staff, and website visitors to deliver educational and administrative services.


A. Information You Provide


You may provide information when you:


• Submit an admissions or inquiry form
• Upload documents through our online application
• Subscribe to school newsletters or updates
• Apply for employment
• Communicate with us by email, phone, or in person
• Participate in school activities or events


This may include:


• Name and contact details (email, phone number, address)
• Student’s name, date of birth, nationality, and year level
• Parent or guardian contact and occupation details
• Application and enrollment information
• Employment details (for staff and applicants)
• Any other information voluntarily provided to the school


B. Sensitive and Supporting Documents

During the admissions or enrollment process, we may request supporting documents such as:


• Birth certificates
• Immigration or residency documents
• Medical information
• Academic reports or transcripts
• Proof of employment or occupation
• Emergency contact and authorized pickup details


These documents are collected solely for the purpose of verifying eligibility, fulfilling legal and educational obligations, and ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.

All supporting documents are securely stored, accessible only by authorized school personnel, and retained only as long as necessary for administrative or legal purposes.

C. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and general location
• Browser type and device information
• Pages visited and time spent on the site


This data helps us improve website performance and user experience and is not used to personally identify visitors.

2. How We Use Your Information


We use collected information to:

• Process and evaluate admissions and enrollment applications
• Communicate with parents, guardians, and students
• Provide educational and administrative services
• Comply with legal, immigration, and educational requirements
• Respond to inquiries and requests
• Improve school programs, services, and communications
• Manage staff and employment matters


We will only use your information for the purposes for which it was collected or as otherwise permitted by law.


3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data based on one or more of the following legal grounds:

• Consent: when you voluntarily provide information or documentation
• Contractual necessity: to fulfill enrollment, employment, or service agreements
• Legal obligation: to comply with education, immigration, or child protection laws
• Legitimate interest: to manage and improve school operations


4. Children’s Privacy


As an educational institution, ISTCI places a high priority on protecting children’s personal information.


• Student data is collected and used only for educational, administrative, and safety purposes.
• Parental or guardian consent is required for the collection and use of personal data about minors.
• Student information is never used for marketing or shared outside the school unless legally required or with consent.


If you believe that personal information about a child has been collected improperly, please contact us immediately at info@internationalschooltci.com.

5. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent personal data.


We may share limited personal information with:


• Authorized third-party service providers who support school operations (e.g., website hosting, learning platforms, email systems)
• Government or regulatory bodies when required by law
• Other educational institutions, when transferring student records at your request


All third-party partners are required to maintain data security and confidentiality consistent with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

6. International Data Transfers


If any personal data is stored or processed outside the Turks and Caicos Islands (for example, on cloud-based educational or communication platforms), we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information according to legal and institutional standards.

7. Data Retention


Personal data and supporting documents are retained only as long as necessary to meet administrative, legal, or educational requirements.
When no longer needed, records are securely deleted, anonymized, or archived in accordance with school policy and legal obligations.

8. Security Measures


We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard personal information, including:


• Secure servers and encrypted systems
• Restricted access to sensitive data
• Password-protected databases
• Staff confidentiality agreements and privacy training


Although we make every effort to protect your data, no system is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9. Your Rights


Under the Turks and Caicos Islands Data Protection Ordinance, you have the right to:


• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request corrections to inaccurate or outdated data
• Withdraw consent at any time (where consent applies)
• Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal requirements
• Lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos Islands


Requests can be made by emailing info@internationalschooltci.com, and we will respond within a reasonable timeframe.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies


Our website uses cookies and similar tools to:


• Enhance performance and user experience
• Analyze site traffic and usage patterns
• Remember user preferences


You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect certain website features.

11. Data Breach Notification


In the event of a data breach that may affect personal data, ISTCI will promptly notify affected individuals and the Data Protection Commissioner in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

12. Third-Party Links


Our website may contain links to external websites.

ISTCI is not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of those sites. We encourage users to review third-party privacy policies before sharing personal information.

13. Updates to This Policy


We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in practices, technology, or legal requirements.


When significant updates are made, we will post a notice on our website and update the effective date above.
Continued use of our website or services after changes take effect signifies acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Information


The International School of the Turks & Caicos Islands (ISTCI)


P.O. Box 278, Leeward Settlement, TKCA 1ZZ 
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
+1 (649) 946-5523 | +1 (649) 941-4614
info@internationalschooltci.com
www.internationalschooltci.com