Ardrey Kell High School

The Ardrey Kell High School opened in 2006 in Ballantyne (Charlotte, North Carolina) is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The director is currently working for David Switzer. In many ways, the school has become a pioneer in its district: for example, the institution first built a modern multi-purpose sports field, an artificial turf field for lessons in any weather and at any time of the year. The official symbol and mascot of the school is the knight, school colours - white and purple. The total number of students reaches 2,435 people.

The Ardrey Kell High School was named after two respected families, famous in their region of Lower Providence (often referred to as the South of McLeburg). Both families were exemplary members of civil society, serving people as farmers, psychologists and educators, church and political leaders and mentors. The school is located not far from the large transport highway of the same name - Ardrey Kell Road, which facilitates transfer, excursions and travel.

Ardrey Kell High School participates in the large-scale Nacel Open Door F-1 Public School Program, whose goal is to provide quality educational services for children from all over the world in American public schools. The main program of study was selected for High Schools, which is taught in English for children aged 15 to 18 years. The main task of teaching in high school is to prepare a pupil for life in a modern multinational world community, to give equally broad opportunities for development to representatives of various cultures, to teach them to communicate freely among themselves and respect each other. It is intercultural understanding and respect that is the basis for the partnership of world powers and peace throughout the world. Also, valuable social and personal qualities, such as self-confidence and self-reliance, independence and maturity are actively brought up.

The peculiarity of the program is not only the studying of foreign students (this service has been provided for a long time by many private schools in the country), but in full, comprehensive support of students, many of whom for the first time travelled abroad independently. Nacel is proud of more than 10 years of successful and productive work and hundreds of graduates who have successfully completed this education. Currently, the program studies more than 500 students, many of whom repeat their participation. Such additional services are provided as the following:

• The assistance of the local coordinator and the regional director (they are appointed for each student and family, monitor compliance with the rules of residence and studying, help in solving domestic and administrative issues);
• A fully studied, qualified social worker who helps with any issues;
• 24-hour telephone support and assistance: 7 days a week, 365 days a year!;
• The coordinator of the trip (responsible for the safety of the arrival and departure of the student, tracks changes in flights, organizes the transfer).

All host families in which the Ardrey Kell High School students live are constantly monitored and supervised by school staff, with most of the cooperation going on for many years. They are decent and calm people, receiving sufficient compensation for their careful and caring attitude towards foreign students (usually a payment higher on the east coast due to a higher standard of living). Both family members and students are constantly interviewed to monitor the level of comfort and security provided to the international students. Living in a family is an excellent opportunity to constantly communicate with native speakers, learn more about the traditions and culture of Americans, their national characteristics. For long summer holidays, students return to their home country.

Subject list: biology, business, chemistry, computer techologies, economics, English literature, geography, history, Information Technology, maths, physical education, physics, Psychology, sociology, sports science
Activity list: basketball, diving, football, golf, lacrosse, softball, swimming, tennis

The students of Ardrey Kell High School have repeatedly demonstrated great success in studies, sports and art. So, in 2009-2010 and in 2011-2012 the team became the winner of the Wachovia Conference Cup Championship: this is a special award for secondary schools, which showed outstanding sports results. In 2012-2013, the women's volleyball team won the state championship, and the baseball team was the best in 2009. The women's golf team won the state competition in 2010 and 2012. The teams for wrestling, track and field athletics, frisbee (where there are especially many "new" students) also differed - it is obvious that the sports direction is very developed in Ardrey Kell High School, and the good physical form of pupils is one of the main priorities. Among the famous graduates of the institution can be noted:

• Alex Wood (basketball pitcher, major league player);
• Giuseppe Gentile (soccer);
• Prince Shembo (player of the National Football League);
• Tracy Merden (football).

Ardrey Kell High School works Marine Corps JROTC - Marine Corps for schoolchildren: they won many professional competitions (in particular, shooting and orienteering). Coach Chris Harrow is in charge of a club of debates and oratorical skills that have won the state championships for 5 consecutive years. There is the Scholastic Club, as well as a wonderful drama club. His participant, Kelly Kapoor, in 2012 became Best Supporting Actress at the popular Blumey Awards, as well as school productions (performances and musicals) have repeatedly become the best, like actors and stage designers, musicians (school orchestra).

The duration of study (minimum) is 1 academic year - from August to June. If you wish, you can choose any school that is part of the Nacel program - they are located throughout the country, including California, Maine, North Carolina, Vermont and some other states. Classes usually start at 8:00 and end at 3:30 pm: one lesson lasts 45-55 minutes. There is a big change for lunch (30 minutes): students can go to a cafe or eat a home-cooked lunch.

Tuition fee already includes:

• Administrative fees;
• Hosting family (accommodation and meals, boarding house);
• Studying on the selected program;
• 2 collective recreational activities per year;
• Monthly full reports for parents, annual progress report and activity;
• 24-hour support and assistance, hotline;
• Medical insurance;
• English course E-learning.

Some services are paid additionally to tuition fee:

• Registration fee (non-refundable);
• Educational aids, books and materials;
• Additional physical education lessons and electives;
• Activities and excursions;
• Classes in laboratories;
• Air tickets in both directions;
• Travel insurance;
• Examination fees;
• Visa fees and services;
• School lunches;
• Transfer to school and back;
• Personal pocket expenses.

Since the Ardrey Kell High School curriculum is selective, the institution expects students to have a high level of self-organization, good behavior and perseverance - the school staff in turn take full responsibility for the health and safety of students. Public day schools are strongly encouraging student exchange, as this helps to expand the ethnic composition of pupils, make the school atmosphere more lively, friendly and comfortable. Foreign students need not only high academic indicators, but also personal activity and involvement in the public and extra-curricular life of the school, participation in events and electives.

Before enrolling in school, each entrant is interviewed (via Skype). The student who can enter the US school must meet the following requirements:

• 15 to 18 years;
• No higher education, received at home;
• Sufficient level of English and wishes to improve it;
• Preferences to study in the USA according to the state education program;
• Flexible budget and Sufficient financial security;
• Good and excellent academic knowledge.

A standard package of documents is submitted, which includes both personal information about the applicant and data on his progress and activity. It will be necessary to confirm physical and mental health (often require a list of vaccinations), an introductory essay (justification for the desire to study in the USA), letters of appreciation, gratitude and certificates for achievements in any fields. It is not necessary to be unquestionably the best in its former class: as practice shows, many students who enter the middle level of C become the best students in their class and quickly rise to the level of A and B.

Admission dates may also vary depending on the school - we recommend clarifying this issue in advance at the chosen institution. An application submitted later may be considered in case of availability.

Additionally, Ardrey Kell High School may ask the student to pass some entrance examinations or pass examinations in basic academic subjects.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision