Boarding schools in US – education information
There are a large number of boarding schools in the United States of America, each of which is as unique as the students who study there. Due to the diversity of geography, curriculum, student life and core values of America, students travel from all over the world to study at the best boarding schools in USA.
The boarding schools in the USA demonstrate high results of enrolment of graduates in Ivy League universities. According to statistics, 90% of graduates become students of chosen universities in the USA and other countries.
The main feature of private boarding schools in the USA is an approach to learning. It is directed to not only academic preparation, but to the development of intellectual capabilities, allowing to the foreign students to realize in sports, art or another hobby. Much attention is paid to formation of student’s personal qualities.
The graduates of the best boarding schools in the USA have competitive advantages, when applying to universities in the country due to the quality of their academic preparation. Also independent, purposeful, sociable, disciplined, motivated to achieve, applicants are easier given interviews, taking entrance tests, if any.
School education system in America – terms of studying
The school education in the US includes 3 main stages, which together last 12 years.
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Elementary school
Here children receive basic knowledge in the main subjects of the school curriculum. One teacher teaches all subjects. Before the start of classes, all children undergo an initial test of their knowledge and abilities – it distributes them into the appropriate groups from A to C.
- Middle school
The list of compulsory subjects is slightly reduced, but the general curriculum of each student only becomes larger – subjects and electives of personal choice are added to it. At the end of each year, children take transferable exams. Teachers are already divided into disciplinary blocks and subjects, and the active study of foreign languages begins.
- High School (9-12 grades)
On this stage the students actively prepare to successful enrolment in TOP universities: the students earn credits that will help them to successfully enrol and receive personal scholarships. The list of compulsory subjects includes only a few disciplines: mathematics, natural sciences, English and humanities courses – the rest are recruited in the chosen specialty.
For the last 2 years of high school, the foreign students have been preparing for the final SAT test, based on the results of which they are enrolled in college, and also, if desired, attend advanced study courses in some of the subjects – Advanced Placement. The AP program, as a rule, corresponds to the program of the first year of study at the university, so that after admission, the university can count this course as already completed.
Requirements to secondary schools in USA
The international students aged 12 and above can apply for the studying in the boarding school in the USA. Up to the age of 14, they live on campus, after that the children are provided with the opportunity to change type of accommodation on host family or day school.
There is a competition for up to 10 people per place: to enrol, applicants are required to fill out a competently completed questionnaire, a statement of progress for at least 2-3 previous years, written recommendations from teachers translated into English, as well as an interview (in person or via Skype) and testing (most often in mathematics and English).
In many cases it is necessary to pass SSAT, test, allowing to determine the level of English proficiency, the ability to apply it in practice. The exam is aimed at American applicants, foreign students can provide a certificate in return SLEP or TOEFL.
In case of insufficient language preparation for successful enrolment in the boarding school in the USA, the foreign student can attend academic courses in the language centres.
After reviewing the applicant's documents, the date and time of the interview are assigned to him. The interview is conducted by phone or online (by Skype). The interview allows to determine the level of English, motivation, purposefulness of the child, the coincidence of his profile interests with the specialization of the educational institution.
Below the list of documents is provided:
- The copy of passport
- School annual grades for the last 2 academic years + quarter/trimester grades for the current academic year
- International language certificate
- Recommendation letters from teachers of mathematics and English
- Motivation letter
- Registration and school forms.
The international students are also required to take internal school tests in mathematics and English to determine whether the children are sufficiently well prepared at the time of admission to a private school in the USA.
School fees in the USA costs – information for the foreign students
The average tuition fee of studying in the boarding school of the US depends on the prestige, ranking of educational institution, average graduation rate in high school, and its location. The cost of studying with living and nutrition flactuates from 35,000 to 90,000 USD.