Santa Barbara High School

Location: Santa Barbara, California

Applications are accepted by May 1.

Santa Barbara High School occupies 40 acres Land in the cozy, well-tended town of Santa Barbara in sunny California. The institution is part of a single educational institution in the county, numbering only 3 schools, and is one of the oldest educational institutions here: the school was founded in 1875, and at the present place has been located since 1924. In November 2005, the architectural appearance of the school, inspired by the Spanish style of the 18th century, was officially recognized as a monument and heritage of the California County and the city, became virtually a symbol of Santa Barbara.

Public day schools are strongly encouraging international 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.

Today, there are about 2200 students studying here, and the number of employees and teachers is approaching the figure of 110 people. Thanks to the program of cooperation with Santa Barbara City College, the institutions can not only strengthen their pedagogical staff, but also provide the students of Santa Barbara High School with educational credits, which in the future will be credited to the college. A lot of sciences, specialties and academic directions are taught here - all teachers have the required qualifications and are ready to share their experience and knowledge with every schoolboy. Another plus is the opportunity for students of their Santa Barbara High School to attend courses on the campus of the college.

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 different cultures, to teach them to communicate freely 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. Since the studying programs are selective, the institution expects students to 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.

Santa Barbara High School participates in the Nacel Open Door F-1 Public School Program, which aims 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 peculiarity of the program is not only in the studying of foreign students (this service has been provided for a long time by many private schools in the country), but in the 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 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!;
• Travel coordinator (responsible for the safety of the arrival and departure of the student, keeps track of changes in the flights, organizes the transfer).

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. The school provides enough time for lunch (30 minutes): students can go to a cafe or eat a home-cooked lunch.

All host families in which pupils live are continuously monitored and supervised by Santa Barbara High School staff, with most of the cooperation going on for many years. They are decent, 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 foreign students. Living in a family is an excellent opportunity to constantly communicate with native speakers, to learn more about the traditions and culture of Americans, their national characteristics. For long summer holidays, students return to their home country.

Subject list: Art, Basics of health protection, Career development course, Choral singing, computer techologies, design, maths, media, physical education, social sciencies, theatre studies, World languages
Activity list: baseball, dancing, Drawing on canvas, golf, lacrosse, softball, swimming, tennis, theater workshop, Trekking, volleyball

Santa Barbara High School organizes a variety of entertaining and educational events free of the main lessons, various clubs, sections for sports, creative, academic interests. The extracurricular program is provided in all schools without exception, the choice and structure of activities depends only on the institution chosen. Participation in extracurricular activities will help not only to show their talents and abilities, but also to find friends among Americans and representatives of other countries, to communicate with like-minded people and share experiences.

Much attention is paid to sports:

• Various electives;
• Sections;
• The work of school teams;
• Participation in various competitions and contests.

Especially popular are football (its American version and soccer) and basketball: competitions and matches attract the largest number of spectators and fans, and special attributes are sold.

Some services are not included in tuition fee and paid additionally:

• Registration fee (non-refundable);
• Teaching aids, books and materials;
• Additional physical education classes or some electives;
• Some activities and excursions;
• Classes in laboratories;
• Air tickets;
• Travel insurance;
• Examination fees;
• Visa fees and services;
• School lunches;
• Transfer;
• Personal pocket expenses.

Tuition fee includes:

• Administrative fees;
• Host family accommodation (accommodation and meals, boarding house);
• Studying on the selected program;
• 2 collective recreational activities per year;
• Monthly full reports for parents, annual progress and activity report;
• Round-the-clock support and assistance, hot line operation;
• Medical insurance;
• English language course E-learning.

Before enrolling in school, each entrant is interviewed (you can via Skype). A pupil who can enroll in a US school must meet the following requirements:

• 15 to 18 years;
• No higher education received at home;
• A sufficient level of English and wants Improve it;
• Sufficient financial support;
• 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.

The 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, the school may ask the student to pass some entrance examinations or pass examinations in basic academic subjects.

Please note that Santa Barbara High School does not guarantee the enrollment and transfer of educational loans received earlier in another educational institution, nor does it guarantee the receipt of a diploma - it depends solely on the progress and success of each student. You should also prepare for the fact that some courses can be repeated in your home country and in the US - this is due to the difference in the curriculum.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision