Admiral Farragut Academy

• Year of foundation: 1933;
• Location: St. Petersburg, Florida, USA;
• Age of students: 13-18 years;
• Total number of students: 400 people (about 80 - foreign students);
• Type of program: mixed;
• Type of accommodation: residence (full board);
• Language of instruction: English.

Admiral Farragut Academy is a respected and well-known in the US private boarding school for boys and girls aged 13-18 (grades 8-12). The school is located in the sunny state of Florida, in the small town of St. Petersburg almost on the ocean coast. It was founded in 1933 as a preparation for colleges of military disciplines: then it was in New Jersey on the banks of the river Toms. Its name was given to the institution in honor of the first US admiral David Farragut. Initially, classes were opened for boys of grades 5-12, but in just 12 years the popularity of the Admiral Farragut Academy so increased that a new campus was opened in St. Petersburg, there appeared a daytime form of education and primary classes, and since 1990, all programs have started for girls.

Admiral Farragut Academy is one of two (!) Schools in the US with in-depth education in Honor Naval school; Also it differs by its program Naval Science and other specialized author's courses (navigation, diving, oceanology, leadership, aviation). The status of Honor Naval school is approved by the Congress itself and is confirmed every year in the course of strict certification (it is conducted by the US Navy) - however, the school passes this test year after year with brilliance. The slogan of the school is "Knowledge wins all". The institution received accreditation from the Private Schools Council of the State of Florida (FCIS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Southern Association of Private Schools (SAIS) and other prestigious associations and organizations.

The unique academic program enables students not only to get a brilliant education and prepare for enrolling in the best US universities, but also to start a successful career as an officer, receive a ROTC scholarship. Students of Admiral Farragut Academy always wear uniforms, carefully monitor their appearance - smartness and neatness, clean cut hair, polished shoes and ironed clothes. The same applies to the cleanliness of the campus: students clean dishes, keep order in the rooms and residences. The life of students within the walls of the Admiral Farragut Academy is regulated and strictly disciplined: every day students spend a lot of time in the open air, necessarily go in for sports, they get a useful skill of strong handshake and solid direct eye contact, treatment with exceptional politeness. Students here become the most educated and responsible, independent, organized. However, there is no military drill as such in the territory - many call the Semimilitary or Military light academy: first of all it is still a school, but already the second place for military training. Students are not deprived of rest and entertainment, film screenings and art studios, creativity, walks around the city with friends and beach holidays.

A balanced, effective and comprehensive curriculum for students in grades 8-12 fully meets the requirements of the State of Florida and the US Department of Education. The school has several specializations:

• Educational technology STEM (science, mathematics, engineering and technology) - In 2016 electronic textbooks for each student were introduced here, and high school students can study according to the PLTW Engineering program. The Robotics Club at AFA has repeatedly shown excellent results in prestigious competitions: FIRST LEGO, FIRST Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge and others;
• The possibility of an in-depth, more thorough and complex study of subjects - More than 27 courses are taught at the Honors level, more than 9 on the AP, and there are also 3 directions in the Dual Enrollment scheme (the student simultaneously studies in high school and attends university lectures in the nearest universities);
• The unique author's course in naval affairs is the three-year program NJROTC Program (cadets of 8-12 grades) - This is reinforced drill, physical and thematic (special) education, during which you can get a prestigious certificate for the management of a sailing vessel (Qualified Boat Handler, QBH). Also, the course on successful completion gives international students a referral to higher military schools and universities: each year there are 6 recommendations to the US Naval Academy, 5 recommendations to the Air Force Academy, 3 directions to the US Military Academy (West Point); there is an opportunity to get even a guaranteed seat at the Maritime Academy of Massachusetts. For students planning a military career, this becomes a huge plus: usually such areas are given by the US House of Representatives (from two senators or vice-president);
• The author's aviation course - It is also conducted in a special center with a state-of-the-art flight simulator, and in practice, at the airfield of Elbert Whitted, where students are waiting for rented planes Cessna (and since 2015 and own Cirrus SR22 G2 Turbo). Pupils of grades 9-12 learn aeronautics, flight training and study the work of ground services, fly on engines of various types, aircraft C172N, C172SP, PA28, C162 and even can get a private pilot license. Each instructor recruits no more than 5 students, classes are conducted three times a week;
• A course of diving (scuba diving) is conducted once a week. Students can obtain international certificates, including salvation and first aid: Open Water Diver, First Aid, CPR, Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, Master Diver, Divemaster.

A special mention deserves an excellent teaching staff: more than 40% of teachers have academic degrees, the overwhelming part has been working in the Academy for more than 8 years. The ratio of teachers to students is 1:11. Approximately 20 teachers live in the campus - they help students with different administrative and domestic issues, monitor the observance of cleanliness and discipline, guarantee the safety of pupils 24/7.

Today, the school is attended by representatives of 17 American states and 32 countries, including:

• Russia;
• Thailand;
• Denmark;
• Greece;
• Austria;
• Spain;
• Germany;
• England;
• Belarus;
• Mexico;
• Poland;
• Hungary;
• Czech Republic;
• Canada;
• China;
• Bulgaria.

The list of graduates of the Admiral Farragut Academy visually demonstrates the breadth of views and the quality of the curriculum - among them not only military men, but also artists, cooks, businessmen and financiers, Internet specialists, and 2 astronauts (Alan Shepard and Charles Duke) (there are only 12 such people in the world). Charles Duke even joked that during his education there was not even such a thing as an "astronaut" - but the quality of the training in AFA helped him to reach what seemed impossible. 100% of graduates enter prestigious, popular and elite higher educational institutions of the USA:

• The US Air Force Academy;
• University of Miami;
• University of California Los Angeles;
• Stanford University;
• American University;
• Military Academy of the US Coast Guard and others.

The average score of the certificate from AFA graduates is 4.0-4.6: only in 2015 they managed to win grants worth more than $ 5 million.

The academic year in the school is designed for 37 weeks (4 quarters), and the success of each is estimated by the number of earned educational credit units. To complete the course of secondary education, students must earn at least 24 credits:

• 4 - English;
• 4 - Mathematics;
• 3 - natural sciences;
• 3 - public (humanities) sciences;
• 3 - naval affairs;
• 2 - foreign languages;
• 1 - art;
• 4 - selected electives.

On weekdays, the rise at 6:15, classes are conducted from 7:45 to 14:50 (there is a lunch break), from 15 to 19 hours, extra-curricular activities and different clubs are held, free time and supper are given, from 19 to 21 hours students do homework until after lights out at 22:00. There is a possibility of half-hour additional lessons and consultations - they are held before and after the main classes. On weekends, students can walk around St. Petersburg (outside the campus), at special permission or parents' request, dinner can be transferred (for example, dinner in the city) and spend free time from 16 to 19 hours.

About half of the high school students live in the large residence Farragut Hall (it was built in 1925 and served as the hotel Jungle Country Club Hotel). Rooms for 2-3 people with bathrooms are equipped with necessary furniture and lighting, appliances (including air conditioning) and have access to WiFi, many rooms overlook the waterfront. For a surcharge, you can stay in a private room.

The male and female parts of the residences and the house are separated by lockable doors with alarms, even separate staircases are provided for boys and girls. When settling into rooms, not only sex, but also age, interests and characteristics of international students, as well as nationality are taken into account (the rooms are trying to be made as international as possible) - the personal wishes of students are taken into account.

On campus there is a 24-hour security and video surveillance: the campus doors are locked until 22:30, and residences - at 21:30. 24/7 a nurse is working in the territory and a call of a qualified therapist is available. The cost of accommodation and education already includes laundry services three times a week. In addition, there is an opportunity to take free advice from a psychologist - the Academy closely and has long been cooperating with the proven family company Costello Center.

The boarding three meals a day for children is on the first floor of the Farragut Hall in a spacious light dining room, at the Blue Jacket Café or on the open terrace with a beautiful view of the oceanfront (there is also a grocery store with snacks and sweets on the campus). A special diet for students is developed by SAGE Dining Services. The dishes are prepared exclusively from organic, fresh, organic products, free from trans fats and have special graphic labels (points of red, yellow and green colors) to help students balance their diet. Each dish has its own description with the exact composition, information about the presence in it of potential allergens. Every day a huge amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, salads and useful, appetizing desserts, soft drinks are served on the table, regular national cuisine and culinary holidays, themed tastings of interesting dishes and products are regularly held.

Subject list: Accounting, aerodynamics and aerostructure, algebra, Art, basic military training, biology, chemistry, design, drama, economics, engineering, geography, Geometry, history, Information Technology, maths, music, Naval Science, physics, Psychology, Science and technology, sociology, sports science

Sport, in addition to daily compulsory classes, is also represented by numerous sections and studios:

• Golf;
• Tennis;
• Athletics;
• Triathlon;
• Snorkeling (swimming with a mask);
• Sailing;
• Football;
• Baseball;
• Volleyball;
• Shooting team;
• Scuba diving;
• Lacrosse;
• Swimming;
• Softball;
• Cheerleading;
• Basketball.

But also for creatively gifted students striving for intellectual development, the school created a huge number of opportunities - a variety of communities of interest will help everyone find a job for the soul and new like-minded friends:

• The creation of films and the history of cinematography;
• Bible study;
• 3D modeling;
• Guitar;
• Brotherhood of Christian Cadets;
• Student self-government;
• UN model;
• Theater and drama, acting;
• Guard of honor;
• Literary club;
• Choreography;
• Standard bearers;
• "America's Future Business Leaders";
• Scientific societies in different subjects;
• Math club Mu Alpha Theta;
• Cinema Club;
• Financial literacy;
• Poetry.

On weekends, sports tournaments and relay races, funny games, film screenings are arranged for children; students of day-form often invite friends-boarders to spend time outside the campus with their family. Excursions and exciting trips are carried out - for example, to the theme parks of entertainment Disneyworld, Bush Gardens and the Island of Adventure - students go to major sporting events and matches, go shopping and go on sightseeing tours to the nearest cities. Students on the "Diving" and "Marine Biology" on weekends often go on hikes, arrange canoeing or explore the underwater world on diving courses (in school it is taught on 3 levels).

The Admiral Farragut Academy campus is located on the promenade of St. Petersburg, and covers an area of ​​35 acres: on the coast the sun shines 360 days a year, which makes this place a popular resort - it is nice to practice water kinds sports, golf, boating and fishing. The population of St. Petersburg is about 250 thousand people: there are a lot of green parks for walks, the concert hall of the Mahaffey Theater, the Museum of Fine Arts and the amazing Museum of Salvador Dali with a fine collection of works by the famous master. Get to the nearest major city with an international airport - Tampa - you can about half an hour, and to the major theme parks and entertainment Orlando - for an hour and a half.

The central building of the campus is Farragut Hall:

• 36 classrooms are equipped with smart interactive boards and smart document cameras, WiFi and netbooks for work, special programs and smart response technology and even 3D MakerBot printer;
• Teaching apartments;
• 70 residential rooms for students (36 for three people, 34 double rooms);
• Spacious common dining area on the first floor;
• Student cafe;
• Administrative premises;
• Student center;
• An extensive library;
• 4 modern computer labs (all PCs are connected to the Internet);
• The ultra-modern Aviation Center with profile simulators;
• Center for Marine Research with numerous aquariums;
• A special laboratory of hydroponics (here students breed different kinds of fish and marine life, watching their behavior);
• 2 engineering laboratories.

Huge opportunities on the campus are provided for sports, recreation and physical development of student cadets:

• Outdoor heated pool;
• Modern gym with air conditioning;
• 2 tennis courts;
• Indoor shooting gallery;
• Numerous playing fields and grounds;
• Gym;
• Field and tracks for running, track and field athletics (track length - 400 meters);
• Football fields;
• Special obstacle course.

The school has its own chapel and even a museum. There is a personal transport park - trucks and buses for children (actively used on excursions), as well as ships (boats, kayaks and sailboats, an equipped boat for marine research and workshops on oceanology).

The academic year in the Admiral Farragut Academy is divided into semesters:

• August 21 - December 21 (vacation on November 20-25);
• January 7 - March 24 (vacation from March 24 to April 1);
• April 2 - 25 May.

List of services to pay additionally to tuition fee:

• Registration fee (for new students);
• Examination Boards;
• Additional academic and language classes (optional):
  • ESOL course;
  • Program Aero Science; 
  • Aviation Academy;
  • Diving courses (3 levels).
• Additional leisure activities and excursions (optional);
• Uniforms;
• Air tickets;
• Transfer in both directions;
• Mandatory medical insurance;
• Personal pocket expenses;
• Visa fees and services, translation and certification of documents;
• Consular fee (paid at the Embassy).

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 9600 USD
• Medical insurance 850 USD
• Study materials
• Visa fees
• Flight tickets
• Application Fee 600 USD
• Deposit for a course/programme 4000 USD
• Uniform 500 USD

Each entrant must submit the following documents to the admission committee:

• Completed application form;
• Receipt of payment of the registration fee;
• Characteristics and letters of recommendation from teachers (in priority - in English and mathematics), class teacher, head teacher, director;
• A report card with grades from a previous school for the last 3 years (always on a school letterhead, translated into English);
• Medical certificate and the conclusion of a doctor (necessarily a list of allergies and contraindications, vaccinations, regularly taken medications)
• A full-fledged personal characteristic (usually drawn up in the previous place of eduaction);
• Confirmation of financial solvency (bank statements, sponsorship letter, etc.).

All documents must be translated into English with an attestation from a notary.

One of the main requirements also remains a fairly high level of English - applicants for the program can confirm it with the following certificates:

• TOEFL Paper - no less than 470 (510 for high school students);
• TOEFL iBT - no less than 52 (from 64 for pupils of 11-12 classes);
• ITEP SLATE - no less than 2.5 (for high school students from 11th grade - no less than 4.5).

Each applicant is waiting for a personal interview (personal or through Skype).

Sets for school are conducted until the middle of March (with the beginning of classes in September), in other cases applications are considered only if there are vacant seats.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision