TOP 40 prestigious high schools in America

Deciding on obtaining the secondary education in the USA, the international students provide with the opportunity to successfully enroll in the TOP American universities. Studying in the best high schools in the USA has several main advantages:

• The student receives first-class intensive preparation for the SAT or ACT exams necessary for further admission to universities.
• In a few years, the student significantly improves his level of English.
• The student receives several years to adapt to the American academic environment.
• Due to a close acquaintance with the academic environment of the United States and staying in the country, a student can make a more informed choice of an American university that is ideal for him.

American high schools are the highest stage of the secondary education, covering the studying from 9th to 12th grade of the American school. Thus, studying at a high school in the USA lasts 4 years and leads to obtaining an American diploma of full secondary education High School Diploma.

High school education in the USA involves the study of a number of compulsory and several optional subjects. The studying is conducted in English. The academic subjects are compulsory for the studying: English, mathematics, natural sciences, history and physical education. Optional subjects are added to them, which students can choose themselves, based on what they plan to study at the university in the future.

The list of available electives traditionally depends on the specific boarding school in the USA. Among such subjects may be, for example, art, agriculture, commerce, journalism, foreign languages, etc. In four years of studying in an American high schools the student must gain about 100 academic hours in 7-8 subjects and from 20 to 25 academic credits. Compliance with these indicators is traditionally monitored not only by the student, but also by the school itself.

After graduating from 12 grade of high school the student is allowed to take the final exam SAT or ACT, which simultaneously is university entrance exam. That is, when enrolling students, the universities take into account the results of these exams. The foreign students who are not native English speakers also need to pass the IELTS or TOEFL language exam to enter the university after high school in the US.

In case of interest the student can enroll on one-year program Advanced Placement after graduating from the high school in the US. This course allows to obtain in-depth knowledge in the subjects and additional language preparation, also the advantage in the enrolment in the most prestigious universities of America.

Simon Kizhner

Regional Admissions representative, EMEA

What does make US boarding schools so popular with parents around the world? Why do families value US elementary and high schools so much?

An elite, competitive US boarding school is a truly unique experience. Pupils forge strong ties with peers, teachers, because they both study and live together! Living in a boarding school, they can focus more attentively on their studies, which will lead to more serious success - and in their future careers as well.

The high schools in the US are divided into two types:

• State schools

The studying in the American state schools is free of charge, but the quality significantly varies depending on a specific educational institution. A relatively small number of foreign students study in public high schools in America.

Along with Americans, only those foreigners who have moved to the United States for permanent residence with other family members can study at these schools. At the same time, the student cannot independently choose a school, instead of which he is determined to the nearest educational institution at the place of residence.

All other international students can study in US public schools for no more than 1 year and only within the framework of special exchange programs and competitive programs with strict selection.

• Private schools

Prestigious high schools in the US are featured by great number of the foreign students, high quality education and pre-university preparation. Many schools in America have own campuses and residences for students, more resembling American universities. At the moment, there are 34,576 schools of various sizes and directions in America. At the same time, among them there are both co-educational schools and more closed boarding schools for girls or boys. Studying process is specially adapted for the foreign students, who are more easily accepted for the studying and paid much attention.

The cost of studying in high schools in USA significantly varies. There are schools here where studying costs about $5,000 a year and schools where prices reach up to $40,000-50,000 a year, as in the most expensive universities. On average, the price of education in American high school accounts for 14,575 $ per year. At the same time, school education is cheapest in West Virginia, Mississippi, Alaska and Oklahoma and most expensive in Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Columbia.

It is necessary to submit entrance documents directly to the selected US school approximately 9-6 months before the expected start of studying. The standard package of introductory documents includes:

• Copy of passport
• Passport sample photo
• Certificate of incomplete secondary education (if available)
• Transcript of subjects and grades for the last 2-3 years of study
• The certificate IELTS or TOEFL
• Recommendation letters (usually from school director, teachers of Mathematics and English)
• Motivation letter (at the request of the school).

It should be noted that in order to enrol in the most prestigious American schools with a large competition for places, students often also need to pass an interview or take additional exams.

• Phillips Academy
• Phillips Exeter Academy
• St. Paul’s School
• The Lawrenceville School
• Choate Rosemary Hall.