Rancho Solano Preparatory School
Description of Rancho Solano Preparatory School
- Year of foundation: 1954 (2008 - high school)
- Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
- Age of students: 3-18 years old, residence of students from 15 years
- Type of education: mixed
- Number of students: 1120
- Programs: primary school, secondary school, IB, High School Diploma (AP)
- Accomodation: residence
- Ranking: one of the TOP-100 national private boarding schools in Arizona and USA.
The elite private boarding school Rancho Solano is located in a picturesque corner of Arizona. It has a large territory, which accommodates educational, residential buildings, an administrative block, a sports center, playing fields, playgrounds, a recreation area. The Rancho Solano campus also has several shops.
The educational institution belongs to the international group Meritas. The Private School of Rancho Solano is practicing the traditional approach to teaching of foreign students, that is exclusively personalized and quite effective and comfortable for students of all ages. In the educational institution there are teachers from different countries. The number of foreign students among students reaches 20%. High quality of education in the Rancho Solano School is presented by outstanding results of students in the SAT exams.
The school is known for high effectiveness of pre-university courses and programs. Graduates of Rancho Solano enter high-ranked universities of America. At the boarding school everything is aimed at satisfying the educational, creative needs of students. Here, much attention is paid to the physical development of students, sport events are organized continuously. The school has a large number of sections. Each student can choose the studying mode and its intensity independently.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Rancho Solano Preparatory School
Teachers of the school work on the harmonious development of the child. The curriculum includes subjects that provide intellectual growth (mathematics, social sciences, computer technology, foreign language and natural subjects). To stimulate the creative side of the personality, music, volunteerism (Kids That Care) and the basics of ethical behavior are taught. Physical education and leadership courses develop children's sense of purpose.
The school provides an individual approach for the formation of a unique set of inclinations and educational preferences. The schoolchildren are provided with the support and advice of the curator and the class teacher, teaching methods of analysis and self-education. With the help of modern technologies, children learn to search for information and use them meaningfully. Attention is paid to the development of communication skills, the ability to formulate one's position, and describe it in personal works.
High School (9th to 12th grade)
The pre-university course is aimed at thorough preparation for the specialty in the college and includes several courses required for each applicant:
- Mathematics;
- Social sciences (philosophy, sociology);
- Foreign languages;
- Physical education and culture;
- Humanitarian and natural science subjects;
- Special courses.
Writing the final qualifying work is included in the mandatory requirements of the program.
Two years of schooling in high school can be used to qualify for IV, allowing admission to universities in the world. The diploma of the program includes 6 disciplines, compulsory of which are:
- The public creative course CAS (150 hours of volunteer assistance or creative projects);
- Scientific work (4 thousand words);
- The study of the theory of knowledge (methodology and methods).
The complexity of the academic program allows division of subjects into standard and reinforced levels. At a high level (HL) students go through 3 disciplines, the rest are studied on the standard (SL). For underachieving students, it is possible to receive not a diploma of IV, but a certificate with a list of exam marks and subjects studied.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The placement of boarders is organized in an elite residence near the educational building. Students live in Rancho Solano in 2-4-bed rooms with private facilities. In the residence on the floors there are kitchens, rest rooms. Laundry services are also available. Educational supervision in the residence is carried out in the 24/7 mode. The students can apply for help to adults at any time.
Board meals are provided for a full board. The menu in the dining room of the boarding school offers international cuisine. Also in the Private School Rancho Solano offers vegetarian, diet food. Accommodation on campus is available for children from 9th grade, for an earlier age it is necessary to live with parents and relatives.
Subjects and sports
Advantages
- The boarding school is the only one in the Phoenix area where the IB program is taught.
- Studying at the school involves an opportunity to be engaged in the fine, theatrical, musical art. Also, computer science is offered to students.
- Student government operates in the boarding school that allows students to show their leadership skills.
- Students usually study in groups of 15 people. This number of children in the classroom is dictated by the traditions of Meritas. When working in a small group, the teacher can effectively work with each student.
- Much attention is paid to self-studying of students. Students are taught to prioritize, to make decisions, and to bear responsibility.
Facilities and equipment at Rancho Solano Preparatory School
Students has everything necessary for creative and physical development. The educational building is very well equipped with multimedia and special equipment for the audience, computer classes, scientific laboratories. The school has a library with a rich selection of printed, electronic teaching aids. Mugs, sports sections have everything necessary for interesting studying. In general, education in Rancho Solano, like in other schools of the Meritas network, can be called high-tech.
Admission dates and extra charges
The school year consists of two semesters. Rancho Solano school does not take into account health insurance, supervision, school enrollment fees and student expenses related to living in the country. Transfers for foreign students are also not included in the tuition fee. In addition, it will be necessary to allocate certain amounts for the visa fee, air travel and the way from the airport to the school.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Rancho Solano Preparatory School
Our son, Denis, is not strong in English, and my father was very upset about this because he wanted to send him to study abroad. The cost of studying for us, of course, is quite high, but we decided to go for it, since we consider the trip to study in America as one of the important steps in the life of our son.
We wanted the school that is located far away from big cities. SMAPSE offered a private school in Scottsdale (in Arizona). During the studying year, Den has improved language skills, learned to live independently and pulled up other subjects.
I always dreamed of studying in America. When parents offered to go to Arizona on vacation, I fell in love with this state. Upon arrival, I chose the school. Thanks parents and SMAPSE for support, and for the advice, help in organizing the trip!
Rancho Solano is something! Beautiful landscapes are around. But the main thing is that I get international education here (IB) and was able to realize myself as a leader.
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
