Heritage Oak Private School

• Location: Yorba Linda, Orange County, California, USA,
• Age of students: from 2.5 to 12 years old,
• Type of studying: mixed,
• Language of instruction: English.

Considered a leading school near Irvine, California, Heritage Oak Private School provides students with a high-quality, award-winning education in one of the most attractive locations in the U.S. for foreign students. 

Heritage Oak Private School is a traditional educational institution that attracts parents interested in finding a school with a proven educational programs. It is a place where success and development are encouraged. Heritage Oak's atmosphere is designed to develop the academic, communication, social, and interpersonal skills needed to prepare students for leadership in society. Heritage Oak adheres to the philosophy of all-round child development and offers a comprehensive education, which includes music, Spanish and French, art, physical education, computer skills, technology and etiquette. Heritage Oak's main goal is to graduate students who have an in-depth knowledge of the world around them and are ready to become leaders who guide society towards a successful future.

From preschool age, educators develop an individualized curriculum (PLP) for each Heritage Oak student that pays attention to personal needs based on granular data, standardized test scores, and classroom interactions.

Heritage Oak Private School offers a comprehensive program that includes many additional services that are not available in other schools. Particular attention is paid to visual arts, instrumental and vocal music, French, Spanish, computer skills, physical education and etiquette. Students in grades 4-8 participate in extracurricular sports leagues and a variety of leisure programs. Many Heritage Oak graduates go on to study with honors at private or public high schools.

Heritage Oak students in preschool through eighth grade are in a relaxed and supportive learning atmosphere, and their core curriculum is one year ahead of state standards. Starting in kindergarten, kids use their personal iPads in class to improve academic performance and prepare for the challenges of high school and college.

International students at Heritage Oak Private School are given the opportunity to live with a local family - such an experience helps students improve their language skills, immerse themselves in the culture and life of the country. The selection of host families is a rigorous and thorough process aimed at ensuring that the child lives in a safe and homely atmosphere. Each family wishing to host a student goes through several stages of verification, including interviews, home visits by school representatives and certified organizations. Parents and students can be sure that the families selected for this accommodation option will provide comfortable accommodation, excellent food and attentive treatment.

Particular attention is paid to cultural differences and issues related to the adaptation of a foreign student to a new environment, which helps to create a friendly and mutually understanding atmosphere in the family. Such accommodation option contributes to the formation of a sense of responsibility and maturity in students, developing their skills of independent living and mutual respect. In this way, international students have the opportunity to make long-term friendships and cultural exchanges that can be useful in their future personal and professional development.

At Heritage Oak Private School, extracurricular activities play an important role in the formation of a harmonious and well-rounded personality of students. The school provides a variety of opportunities for the development of children's interests and talents, forming their desire for self-improvement and the spirit of teamwork, offering a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs and sports sections for students:

1. "Externship": the ability to study subjects at an advanced level,
2. Research projects: students work on scientific projects under the guidance of experienced teachers,
3. Creative workshops: art, music, theater and other types of creativity,
4. Sports sections: football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, tennis, hockey, athletics and other sports,
5. Interest clubs: computer technology, foreign languages, journalism, ecology and others,
6. Excursions and trips: visits to museums, historical sites, cultural events and other interesting places.

Heritage Oak Private School strives to create favorable conditions for the development of talents and interests of each student, takes care of the development of social skills and leadership qualities in students, actively supports the participation of children in charity events and volunteer projects, which contributes to the development of responsibility and empathy.

Heritage Oak Private School is located on a picturesque campus surrounded by dense green spaces. The school buildings harmoniously fit into the natural landscape, representing a modern architectural solution with elements of classical style; On campus there are both educational buildings and buildings for administrative services, sports facilities and art workshops.

The educational buildings are equipped with the cutting-edge technology, interactive whiteboards, computers and projectors are installed in each classroom, allowing teachers to use the latest educational technologies. Students have access to high-speed Internet, giving them the opportunity to receive the most up-to-date information and participate in international educational projects.

The Heritage Oak Library is a sprawling space with intimate reading and study areas, with tens of thousands of books, magazines and electronic resources covering all areas of knowledge. Particular attention is paid to rare publications and scientific literature that can be used by students for in-depth study of subjects.

Sports facilities include a well-equipped complex with a gym, swimming pool and several gyms for basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. Tennis courts, football fields and jogging tracks are located in open areas - regular training and competitions are held here, in which everyone can take part.

For art classes, the school provides special workshops and studios. Music classes are equipped with a variety of instruments, including grand pianos, violins and guitars, computer stations for creating electronic music. The theater studio is equipped with a modern stage, sound and lighting equipment.

The year of study at Heritage Oak Private School is divided into two semesters, about 15 weeks each. The fall semester begins in August and lasts until December, while the spring semester runs from January to May.

Additional costs:

• Entry fee,
• Sign up
• Visa (F-1),
• Flight and transfer,
• Transport
• Residence
• Health insurance,
• Accident insurance,
• Nutrition
• Uniform
• Educational materials and stationery,
• Excursions and activities,
• Academic support,
• Personal expenses.

The application process is almost the same for international and U.S. students, however, foreign students are strongly encouraged to apply early to ensure that visas and other documents are completed and will be obtained on time. Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee after receiving the package of documents. Applicants will be required to attend a Zoom interview and submit the results of the English proficiency test.

After obtaining the enrollment contract and paying the application fees, the Director of Admissions will provide the prospective student with signed I-20 forms for the student to apply for an F-1 visa.

Application Process:

1. Fill out the questionnaires of parents and future students, pay a non-refundable entrance fee.
2. Provide guidance from an English teacher.
3. In addition to the listed documents, the following documents must be attached to the application:

• A copy of the applicant's grades for the last two academic years and current grades transferred to the U.S. grading system,
• Photo of the applicant,
• A copy of a valid passport, including pages with name, date of birth, and other important information,
• A bank statement showing the funds available to pay for tuition in US dollars.

More than 670 people study at Heritage Oak Private School every year. International students make up about 1% of the total number of students.

Heritage Oak alumni attend a variety of local high schools. In the eighth grade, students undergo additional preparation for testing in competitive secondary school programs. Most students graduating from Heritage Oak are often transferred to honors classes at their first choice schools.

Schools where Heritage Oak Private School graduates are admitted:

• Northfield Mt. Hermon School,
• Brea-Olinda High School GITA Program,
• Webb High School,
• Servite High School,
• The Hill School,
• Wilbraham and Monson Academy,
• Troy High School Tech/IB Program,
• Fairmont Private Schools,
• Rancho Santa Margarita High School,
• Rosary High School,
• Valencia High School IB Program.

Foreign students applying for admission to Heritage Oak Private School for an academic year must take the ITEP or TOEFL exam, the Heritage Oak Entrance Exam

• ITEP SLATE: International English proficiency test is aimed at assessing intermediate proficiency – the student must pass the ITEP test with a minimum score of 4.5. The test can be administered by a foreign partner, the results will be sent to Heritage Oak along with the application to the school.
• TOEFL: Intermediate English Proficiency Test – The student must pass the TOEFL Junior Standard standardized test with a score of 845 or higher. This is the CEFR level B2.
• If the student has taken another English proficiency test, the school will accept a result equivalent to the CEFR B2 level. The test can be administered and evaluated by an overseas partner, and the results will be sent with the application to the school.

Students must also take the Heritage Oak Placement Test in their home country and re-take it upon arrival at Heritage Oak Private School to rule out any discrepancies.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision