Saint John’s High School

Established in 1966 in West Islip, New York, USA, this private school caters to students aged 14 to 18 years. The school provides a collaborative environment and offers accommodation with host families. With a student body of 1414 individuals, the primary language of instruction is English.

Saint John's, a top private school located in West Islip, New York, enjoys a prime location with the city center just a short train ride away. This educational institution boasts modern resources that effectively prepare high school students for admission to colleges and universities worldwide. Saint John's has earned numerous accolades as one of the country's best schools, with students consistently excelling in academics, sports, and the arts.

The school is staffed with professional teachers dedicated to helping students enhance their academic skills and discover, nurture, and utilize their individual talents and abilities. Within the nurturing environment of this private school, students from diverse backgrounds come together to collaborate with one another and the staff, allowing them to perform at their very best.

Saint John's is a thriving academic community where each student's efforts are recognized and celebrated. It provides ample opportunities for students to develop into strong individuals with notable leadership qualities and to find their place in the global arena.

In addition to a strong academic program, students receive comprehensive support in the format of electives, extracurricular courses. International students are offered additional English classes, a university preparation course, an extensive program of extracurricular activities with many excursions to explore the United States, sights and natural beauty.

The school offers a program for grades 9–12 with different levels of difficulty — Regents, Honors, and advanced courses.

English Department

Here, students choose from a range of in-depth courses, including literature and composition, public speaking, film studies, creative writing, and sports literature. The research track includes a seminar and a research course, upon completion of which a diploma is awarded.

Foreign Languages

The required program includes Spanish, French, and Italian (levels I–III). Electives include American Sign Language (ASL I and ASL II) for grades 11–12. Students may qualify for the state Seal of Biliteracy.

Mathematics and Computer Science

The subject lineup covers standard and advanced levels: from algebra and geometry to advanced courses in calculus and statistics. Certain math modules are credited as college credits. In computer science, the emphasis is on applied skills: graphic design, digital media, web development, programming fundamentals, and specialized computer science.

Natural Sciences

The required component includes one of the following disciplines: Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics. Electives allow students to delve into anatomy and physiology, forensics, marine science, as well as take advanced modules in biology, chemistry, ecology, and physics. Some courses offer college credits.

Social Studies

The program covers world and American history, government, economics, and a range of specialized modules — from sociology to urban studies. Some courses are available in an expanded format and offer college credits.

Visual Arts

A foundational art module is required for tenth graders. Students then choose directions based on their interests: painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, or graphic design fundamentals. Select courses allow students to earn college credits.

Performing Arts

The school has 12 music ensembles, stages musicals, runs a drama club, and develops a dance program — dance classes begin in grade 9. Electives include music theory, guitar, keyboard, sound recording, and choreography.

Physical Education and Health

Ninth graders complete a required health fundamentals course. Upper-class students may study an introduction to sports medicine and a module on nutrition and health. One of the courses offers university credits.

Religious Studies

Over four years, students sequentially cover thematic units: foundations of faith, Sacred Scripture, morality, and a philosophy module supported by a specialized institute.

Engineering Program

The engineering module cycle includes design fundamentals, principles of engineering, civil engineering, and a final project. Students may transfer completed courses for credit at a technical university.

Research Program

A multi-level research track is available for grades 10–12, featuring a summer intensive and a final presentation of results.

Medical Science Institute

The project is implemented in partnership with a hospital: the program includes lectures by practicing specialists and internships for upper-class students.

Community Service Program

This elective for upper-class students is structured on a modular basis: the first semester is dedicated to lectures, the second — to a practical internship.

In 2019, the school's vocal and instrumental ensembles won 9 first places at the Music in the Parks festival. That same year, the school became the venue for the Long Island String Festival: the event brought together more than 400 students from over 30 Suffolk districts.

The school's dance troupe performed on the stage of Lincoln Center in New York, and performances of the performing arts groups were broadcast on Catholic Faith Network.

For 30 years, the performing arts department has maintained a Tri‑M Music Honor Society (NAfME) chapter — this underscores the consistently high level of music education at the school.

• The school mascot is a puma (Cougar), and the entire school community is called «Cougar Family».
• Since the 2019–2020 academic year, the school has launched the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering education program. In 2021, in partnership with a local hospital, a Medical Science Institute was opened — there are very few such programs in US high schools.
• The arts department has supported the Tri‑M Music Honor Society chapter for 30 years. Each student receives a personal Chromebook: the cost of the device is included in the one-time registration fee.
• For the convenience of students, a free shuttle is organized from the Babylon (LIRR) train station. The school also provides free transportation for students from Eastern Long Island — in accordance with state law.

The host family is the best opportunity to get acquainted with the American way of life from the inside, to practice English. Saint John's carefully selects families for foreign students to live in, constantly keeping in touch with them, guaranteeing complete safety. Children are provided with:

• Private room,
• Comfortable furniture,
• Meals 2 times a day,
• Lunch on weekends,
• Transportation to and from school.

The school has more than 40 different clubs of interest:

• Art Club,
• Fashion Club,
• Stained Glass Club,
• Book Lovers Club,
• French Club,
• Astronomical Club,
• Railway Club,
• Culinary Arts Club,
• Junior Student Council,
• Senior Student Council,
• School newspaper,
• Computer Programming Club and many others.

Sports sections:

• Baseball
• Tennis
• Bowling
• Soccer
• Golf
• Soccer
• Badminton
• Swimming
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Ice hockey.

On vacations and weekends, Saint John's students:

• Surfing,
• Watch football matches,
• Get acquainted with the city,
• Relax on the beach,
• Skiing and snowboarding.

Local and international students can take part in the global ambassadors club. The community helps new students adapt, organizes various events, and provides peer support throughout the school year.

• 100% of the faculty with academic degrees,
• The number of foreign students is 7%,
• The number of AP courses is 55 AP,
• The average class size is 26 people,
• The number of college-level courses is 16,
• Saint John's Innovative Video Editing Lab has won numerous awards,
• The school has a counseling program to support international students in their studies and accommodation,
• All students are insured against emergencies and unforeseen illnesses or injuries.
• Students are provided with transport for trips to school, on excursions.

Saint John's High School is located east of New York City, in its suburbs. Nearby there are shopping centers, cafes, shops, local beaches, and Manhattan can be reached by train in 1 hour.

The school is equipped with modern resources that allow you to get high academic results:

• A library with a large collection, an interactive classroom, a laboratory with 38 Macs, 40 laptops, a 3D printer, mobile devices for iPad,
• Smart board classrooms with audio and video technology, internet, touch screen,
• Hall for interactive learning, project presentations,
• Spacious hall for lectures and seminars,
• Laboratory for independent research projects. Working in it provides students with a solid understanding of advanced research methods in preparation for university,
• Video Editing Lab – used by students to create films and videos,
• Auditorium for rehearsals and performances of musical and dramatic school communities,
• Dance studio - designed for dancers of all levels of education, allows each student to work out their own choreography for performances at school events.

Saint John's accepts students in grades 9-10 in the fall and spring, and grade 11 is only accepted in the fall.

The school day lasts from 7.50 to 14.30.

Additional expenses:

• Registration fee (refundable in case of refusal of the place),
• Visa
• Some excursions and trips,
• Personal expenses,
• Flights
• Accommodation with a host family,
• Additional meals (if necessary).

• Filling out an online application,
• Payment of the registration deposit,
• Collection of all necessary documents,
• Participation in a mandatory Skype interview to assess oral language abilities,
• Acceptance and confirmation of the place,
• Filling out the student visa form,
• Full payment for the course.

Information about accommodation with a host family is provided 2 weeks before the start of education.

International students need to carefully consider all application deadlines.

In high school, each student is assigned a personal advisor who assists them in the application process to their desired university, makes recommendations based on career interests and SAT/ACT and GPA test scores obtained. Regularly in Representatives of more than 100 higher education institutions come to Saint John's to establish strong ties for future cooperation.

For 2022-2023, Saint John's students:

• They passed the final exams of the AP and got excellent results - 79% earned a score of 3+,
• 10% of Saint John's international students in 2022 scored 1470 SAT, 51 AP scores.

General requirements for students' language skills:

• Intermediate level of English proficiency – IELTS 4.0-5.0, IBT 35-55, SLATE 3.0-3.9,
• Upper Intermediate level – IELTS 5.0-6.0, IBT 56-78, SLATE 4.0-4.9,
• Level 1 Advanced – IELTS 6.0-6.5, iBT 79-87, SLATE 5.0-5.9.

List of required documents:

• Personal data,
• Passport and its copy,
• Letters of recommendation from subject teachers, including English teachers,
• Extract from the school report card for the last 3 years,
• English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL or SLATE), original and English translation,
• Extract from the medical record with the dates of the required vaccinations.

The Saint John’s High School Scholarship Fund annually awards students for outstanding achievements in academics, sports, creativity and other extracurricular activities. Awards cover a portion of expenses for one year and can be renewed with continued successful results.

The school also offers financial assistance to families facing difficult life circumstances (the amount, duration and terms of provision depend on each individual case).

Students can apply for awards and scholarships from external funds:

• The Dorothy Vail Memorial Fund,
• Educational Loan,
• Knights of Columbus School Scholarship,
• Columbus Citizens Foundation Scholarship Program.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision