25 best public schools in USA: requirements

The public schools in the USA – information education

Studying in the USA is a great start for young people. The aim of the educational system in the US is bringing up of a versatile personality with an active lifestyle. In American schools, in addition to the academic component, a lot of attention is paid to the extracurricular activities of the student. The graduates of the schools in the USA can enroll in the prestigious university, and after graduation, young specialists easily get a job or make a scientific career. This is due to the high educational standards.

Middle school in the USA – specifics of studying

This stage of education is divided in two: junior and senior high school. Unified educational program from sixth to eighth grade is practiced. For the senior secondary school in the US, each educational institution develops it independently.

From the eighth grade, the foreign students can choose the subjects they want to study. In addition, the students compulsory study mathematics, social and natural sciences, history, English, art. They can additionally study foreign languages.

American schoolchildren not only attend classes, but also play sports at school, participate in interest clubs, and perform socially useful work. This is a mandatory component of secondary schools in the USA, which gives children the necessary socialization skills, ensures the harmonious development of personality.

On this stage talented pupils can choose programs of increased complexity in individual subjects. Much attention is paid to independent study of individual topics.

One more feature of the secondary schools in the USA is the credit system. The foreign students receive credits, which are later taken into account when entering the university. For studying one subject during a semester, a student receives 2.5 credits, during the year – 5 credits.

High school in the USA for the international students

The foreign students of grades 9-12 compulsory study mathematics, natural and social sciences, English, engage in sports, art. The studying is not only theoretical in nature: students perform laboratory work, practical tasks. In addition to compulsory school course the international students choose additional disciplines, which will be necessary upon admission to the university for the chosen specialty. Among electives the following ones are popular:

  • basics of healthy lifestyle;

  • public speaking;
  • basics of doing business;
  • music;
  • computer science;
  • foreign languages
  • theatrical art
  • ecology.

For the last 2 years, gifted students can study programs of increased complexity Advanced Placement. Usually, the subjects studied on the AP program correspond to the level of 1 or even 2 courses of the university. The successful passing of Advanced Placement provides the foreign students with benefits for admission to American universities, as well as many British, German, Israeli, Canadian universities.

In some cases, the universities can transfer credits for AP subjects immediately for the first year of study at the university. After graduating from the program High School, the student must pass the exam SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT. Their results are taken into account when entering higher education institutions, colleges.

Advanced Placement – pre-university preparation for the international students in the USA

After receiving the certificate, the students can study for an additional one or two years in order to study in-depth subjects that will be useful at a university or college. Studying under this program allows you to pull up certain subjects, to save on studying at a college or university. In this program of preparation for admission to universities, students choose from almost forty subjects that are taught at an advanced level.

How the studying process is organized in the secondary schools in the USA?

American classes are the lectures and discussions. The classes are aimed at developing teamwork skills, developing logic, the ability to express one's thoughts, defend and argue a point of view. The students independently come to certain conclusions, build logical chains. Much attention is paid to the work in groups: students jointly create various projects, work on a common task.

Physical education is an important component of the school system. The international students are engaged in some kind of sport four times a week, which they choose themselves. At the beginning of each semester, you can choose another one.

The cost of studying in the secondary schools in the USA

Tuition fee depends on the following factors:

  • ranking
  • prestige of school
  • history of educational institution.

On average, for one academic year at a secondary school in the USA, you need to pay at least 40 thousand dollars.

TOP 10 public schools in the USA

  • North Broward Preparatory School
  • Phillips Academy Andover
  • The Storm King School New York
  • Red Bank Catholic High School
  • Windermere Preparatory School
  • Shattuck St Mary's School
  • Cheshire Academy
  • Cate School
  • Ross School
  • Deerfield Academy.

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