Choosing a best school and best educational program for your child is always a big responsibility for parents, because this important step determines the future. This article is about the conditions for teaching foreign students in schools in the United States. Here SMAPSE experts will tell you in detail about the types of schools, educational opportunities, the pros and cons of living on campuses and host families, experts will also familiarize you with prices and help you choose the right school option in the USA for your child. The article contains the most relevant and verified information. Do not miss the unique opportunity to start and plan your child’s future right now.
America has long been a world leader in education. The best schools in the USA annually take thousands of foreign students to study. Studying in the leading US schools is a number of advantages for a successful career and the realization of your child’s abilities. Studying at school serves as the basis for obtaining knowledge, new discoveries and developing skills for successful implementation in a future profession. It's no secret that a foreign student who received school education in the USA in one of the public or private schools in America has a great opportunity to continue his studies at one of the most prestigious universities in the world without any problems. The educational process in all schools in the United States focuses on the development of personal qualities of students, the ability to defend their opinions and find a way out of any situation. Educational programs are aimed at developing a child's interest in learning, learning about himself and the world around him. Each top school in the United States for foreign students has a strictly individual approach to each child, leaving him the opportunity to choose additional school subjects and extracurricular activities. Your child will not only receive a theoretical base in all general subjects, but will also improve theoretical knowledge of the English language, overcome the language barrier and strengthen practical communication skills, make friends from all over the world and will definitely learn something new.
The system of secondary education in schools in the USA for international students
Absolutely any foreign student who speaks a foreign language and has successfully passed the test can go to study in America in one of the US high schools. This opportunity allows foreign students from all over the world to graduate from both the best public and prestigious private or charter American schools. The entire US school system is divided into 4 levels
- Preparatory School (Grade 0)
- Elementary school (grades 1-5)
- Secondary school (grades 6-8)
- High school (grades 9-12)
This allows teachers to apply different methods of teaching and upbringing to students of different ages, as well as provide foreign students with a wide variety of additional programs that will interest them in the educational process. Leading schools in the USA can offer the following learning options for foreign students:
- 12-14 years old - Middle School
- 15-18 years old - High School
The school year in US schools is divided into two semesters, and at school, the student spends 5-8 hours a day, including lunch. During the year, students have the opportunity to go home for Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.
Features of high school education in the USA for foreign students
From 12 to 14 years old, all students learn 6-8 grades in one of the best high schools in the United States. In any American school, moving to a new level of education, students are divided into new classes. In the case of foreign students, this is a great chance to find out how American teenagers live and a great opportunity to meet a lot of new people and learn to adapt to different characters and temperaments. In a high school in the United States, every student must study math, English, history, and science. Also, each student chooses 2-3 subjects based on personal interests, it can be anything, from art, the history of a particular country to drawing or computer science.
Features of school education in high school in the USA for foreign students
At a high school in the United States from the 9th to the 12th grade, students from the age of 15 to 18 study. The secondary education system in the best schools in the USA always provides an opportunity for students to choose additional subjects on their own, but at the age of 15-18, students get more freedom in this choice, since they roughly know what they want to devote their future life to. There is a certain list of subjects that students are required to study, but they can choose all other activities on their own. While studying in high school, students pay more attention to preparing for the final SAT test, the results of which affect the process of admission to a prestigious college or university in Europe.
All high schools in America have The Advanced Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The program of increased complexity consists of 34 subjects and corresponds to the initial courses at the university, so it will be much easier for future students of the best universities in the world to adapt to study in the future. This opportunity always attracts all purposeful students from all over the world who want to prepare for study at a prestigious university as early as possible. The more prestigious the school, the more objects of increased complexity it can offer students. The results of preparation for this educational program give the best students privileges for admission to universities in the USA, Canada and the UK. Upon delivery of subjects for the mark “excellent”, everyone has a chance to win priority enrollment upon admission to Princeton, Harvard and Yale University.
All graduates of American schools receive a High School Graduation Diploma. In order to finish school with a diploma, each student for the entire learning process must earn from 20 to 23 credits for subjects from the compulsory program + for subjects of choice. One credit is the study of one subject throughout the academic year. In addition, the student must devote 5 hours per semester to socially useful activities. To obtain a certificate in different classes, the following number of credits is required:
| 9th grade | 6 credits |
| 10th grade | 6 credits |
| 11th grade | 6 credits |
| 12th grade | 5 credits |
The list of compulsory loans for all foreign students includes the following subjects:
| Natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) | 3 credits |
| Mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry) | 4 credits
|
| Humanities (history, political science, economics, US history) | 3 credits |
| English | 4 credit |
| Art | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 1 credit |
Varieties of schools in the USA for foreign students
Studying at a public school is free, but the level of education can be very good or very low. Such schools in the United States accept only those foreign students who have moved to America and have a residence permit in the country. In this case, you will not be able to choose a school on your own, as the student will go to school at your place of residence. US public schools also accept those students who participate in student exchange programs. In this case, the maximum period of study is only 1 year and the choice of school depends on which school the organizers of the exchange program collaborate with. In addition, there are age restrictions, if your child is less than 15-18 years old, then he, unfortunately, will not be able to use this option of education in one of the public schools in the United States. Based on all the difficulties and disadvantages of the educational process, most foreign students prefer to enroll in private or charter high schools in the United States.
Private schools are always small educational institutions that provide paid education. Foreign students are accepted in private boarding schools in America from 11 years old and older. And from the age of 14, students can choose to live outside the school campus - in the host family. Unlike public schools, private schools offer a higher level of education: excellent teaching staff, advanced methods and equipment of schools, small classes and a strict selection of students allow private schools to maintain high academic performance. Successful completion of a private school in the USA guarantees admission to leading universities not only in Europe but also in the world.
- Charter schools
Charter schools are a cross between a public and a private school. The state allocates money for each student, but the school also collects voluntary contributions from parents, the amount of which can range from several tens to thousands $. Currently, there are more than 1,200 charter schools in the United States, in which nearly 600,000 American and foreign students study.
Additional activities in schools in the USA
A variety of educational programs and a large number of additional subjects that are available for all foreign students in all the leading secondary and high schools in the USA are not the only important indicator of the choice of education in America. The US secondary education system puts development of the student's personality and the disclosure of his abilities and talents in the first place. Teachers of all schools in America give extracurricular activities a significant part of the learning process. The comprehensive development of the student and the upbringing of an active life position are the main goals of all the top schools in the United States. The list of additional activities includes all kinds of sports and creative events. A student of any age, mentality and interests will be able to find something to his taste. Someone will be able to start a career in professional sports, and someone will discover the acting and directorial inclinations. Your child will be able to learn to play musical instruments, sing or draw in different techniques. Among American students, educational clubs are very popular. When foreign students come to study in schools in the USA, they are happy to become participants in international teams where they solve olympiad tasks in chemistry and mathematics, play quizzes on topics that are far beyond the school curriculum, and also hold lively debates. The great advantage of teaching children in schools in America, not only in improving their English proficiency, but also in the fact that the student can get acquainted with the culture and color of other countries. Let's not forget that in schools in the USA for all foreign students are conducted interesting and informative excursions to memorable places of the state and America as a whole. Students dedicate reserves, museums, organize hikes, student parties and days of national cuisine.
The system of nutrition and accommodation of foreign students in schools in the United States
Pupils of elite high schools in the USA are provided with everything necessary for a comfortable life and effective learning. On campus there is everything that will help foreign students, who came to study at one of the city’s secondary schools, to feel as comfortable as possible.
Top US schools offer international students two accommodation options:
- accommodation in a dormitory on campus
- accommodation in the host family
Modern campuses with rich infrastructure, beautiful recreation areas and new equipment will make your child's life in America unforgettable. Equipped and technological buildings for education, compact laboratories, spacious study rooms, workshops and creative studios that contain everything that students may need in the process of obtaining a prestigious education in the United States. For sports enthusiasts, basketball and football courts, golf courses, swimming pools and tennis courts are always open on the territory. All creative students will be able to find something to do in the educational theater, school choir or film club. Also on the territory of the guesthouse there are always several medical centers, guards and commandants of hostels.
All rooms on the campuses of the best schools in the United States provide comfortable living conditions and meet quality standards. Students are placed in comfortable rooms, with all the amenities inside, designed for 3-4 people. The older the student, the less neighbors in his room, this is due to the fact that high school students need more freedom and personal space in order to concentrate on the learning process and calmly prepare for final exams and entering the best universities in Europe. Full board accommodation at one of the leading US high schools is an international environment, improving foreign language skills, socialization and an active lifestyle. This is free Wi-Fi, huge libraries, joint trips to cafes or cinema, as well as 100% security.
Nutrition of foreign students is made three times a day in the dining rooms, which are located on campus. Students can always choose food based on their preferences, traditions, medical indications or diets. The menu is varied and changes every week. In addition, on the campuses of all high schools in the United States there are many cafes and shops where foreign students can eat, buy food or prepare lunch in their room on their own.
The process of admission of foreign students to schools in the USA
Each leading school in the United States determines the admission process and the requirements for applicants independently. As a rule, the more prestigious the institution, the longer the list of entry requirements and the higher the passing score. However, there are a few common points.
The package of documents that must be collected by a foreign student who wants to enroll in one of the leading schools in the United States necessarily includes:
- Foreign visa
- International certificate confirming a high level of English (American SSAT test or certificates SLEP, TOEFL, IELTS)
- Scorecard for 2-3 years from the previous place of study
- Recommendations from teachers from a previous place of study
- Student profile
- Motivational from student
- Certificate of vaccinations and the conclusion of doctors
Sometimes you may need:
- Student's Creative Portfolio
After the school administration considers all the documents and makes a preliminary decision on the applicant, he is waiting for an interview with the admissions committee of the institution (it can be done in person or on Skype). During this conversation, the representative of the school determines the student's wishes for the curriculum, the absence of a language barrier and general communication skills. Also, a foreign student is tested for knowledge of basic subjects. If a student shows good results in all areas, but his English level is not enough to receive secondary and higher education in US schools, he will be offered to go through a preparatory program at school or to bring his language to the right level in one of the best summer language camps in US.
Usually, the competition among foreign students is great, so SMAPSE experts advise you to pre-submit documents. Psychologists and teachers who have been working with foreign students in schools in the United States for many years are advised to go to school abroad at the age of 12. Students at this age are already independent and can safely join the educational process without harming the body and the internal state of the child.
Tuition for foreign students in schools in the USA
The cost of studying at elite schools in the USA depends on the list of services that are included in the terms of the educational program that you choose, as well as on the features of the student's accommodation and food. Typically, the price of secondary education in America ranges from 37,000 $ to 53,000 $ per year. This amount includes the costs of the education itself, food, accommodation, educational materials, sightseeing and leisure activities and language courses. Do not forget that your child will need pocket money, the amount of which is determined individually by the parents.
Additionally paid:
- Flight
- Transfer
- Student Visa
- Insurance
- Consular fee of the embassy
- Registration fee
Studying at leading schools in the USA is a great opportunity not only to learn a foreign language at the native level, but also to prepare for entering the best foreign universities. No matter what type of program you choose, even a week of study in one of the public or private schools in the USA will give you many new experiences, knowledge, and inspire you with a bright future. For every foreign student the chance to study in another country is a test of his own strengths and capabilities. The American school brings up in students responsibility for their actions and words, self-discipline, initiative and willingness to solve problems of any complexity. Teachers are able to not only instill a love of English, but can also develop the individual abilities of the student. America's leading public and private schools educate future leaders, diplomats, and politicians. In addition to all this, studying in the USA allows you to prepare your child for studying at famous universities in the world, a diploma of graduation from one of the most prestigious schools in the USA will open the door to a successful and happy future for you, as it is a guarantee of quality.
List of TOP-15 high schools in the USA for international students
- Leman Manhattan Preparatory School
- North broward preparatory school
- Windermere Preparatory School
- Webb schools
- Grier school
- CATS Academy Boston
- Perkiomen school
- The masters school
- Saint Andrews School
- Lyndon institute
- Ross school
- Santa Barbara high school
- The Cambridge School of Weston
- Idyllwild Arts Academy
- American University Preparatory School
If you are thinking about sending your child to one of the prestigious public, private or charter schools in the USA, then SMAPSE experienced specialists are ready to provide you with all the information about the possibilities of all existing educational programs in America. Experts are also ready to assist in choosing the most suitable school, living conditions for the student and the most intense excursion program. SMAPSE employees are well versed in the US secondary education system and professionally approaching the issue of decent education for foreign students abroad. SMAPSE specialists are ready to advise you in detail on all issues at any convenient time and in any convenient way.
