Elite secondary education in the USA is based on educational programs that are oriented towards the harmonious development of the individuality and independence of each student. So, as the basis for the educational process in the best boarding schools in America, the development of cognitive activity among foreign and American students is highlighted. Upon completion of education, graduates acquire knowledge and skills that are required in ordinary life and further education and long-term employment.
Leading secondary education in the USA
In America, when a child reaches 3-4 years old, the period of primary education begins. It is at this age that children enter the Nursery School, within the walls of which they teach basic knowledge of reading, counting, drawing, etc. However, passing this educational stage is not mandatory.
After which, reaching the age of 5-6 years, the transition to Kindergarten, which is a preparatory class or kindergarten, and part of the structure of primary school in America, is provided. The length of the school day on average varies from 3 to 6 hours. As practice shows, students are required to attend preparatory classes due to the inclusion of elementary boarding schools.
At the end of their studies at Kindergarten, students who have reached the age of six will go to primary school. The duration of study at an American prestigious elementary school is 4-5 years. Within the walls of an elite primary school in the United States, one teacher is assigned to teach all school subjects.
In an American boarding school, foreign students aged 11-14 are educated. Right at this stage, teachers are involved in teaching students, in particular, English or mathematics. It is also worth noting that the educational program includes a mandatory course of sports training. Within the walls of America's top secondary boarding schools, it is possible to create specialized classes aimed at talented and gifted students.
Reaching 14 years of age, provides for the transition to a higher boarding school in the United States. The duration of education is 4 years. At the end of this educational stage, the graduate receives a full secondary education. In addition, there is an opportunity for foreign students to choose a specialization, namely those disciplines on which lectures will be conducted in the future.
Top Public and Private High Schools in America
On the territory of America, approximately 115,000 boarding schools have been created, subdivided into public and private. Thus, the predominant number of American students are studied in state-owned advanced boarding schools in America. These schools are funded from budgets at various levels. Admission to an American public school is possible for students who live in the area to which a particular institution is attached. In this connection, the level of quality of educational services of a public school is largely determined by the cost of housing in a particular area of America. Thus, in areas where the best American boarding schools are located, there is a high cost of houses and apartments.
As for the second type of American educational institutions, these are private schools, the number of which is approximately 30,000. Their financing is carried out by paying tuition, the costs associated with obtaining a child’s education are fully borne by the parents. According to Private School Review, the price of elite secondary education in the United States varies from 12,000 $ to 30,000 $. As you can see, the cost of obtaining a prestigious American secondary education is almost the same size as the cost of studying at a US ranking university. It is worth noting that the educational programs of private boarding schools in America are significantly different from the educational programs of public schools, and are also characterized by a higher degree of effectiveness.
America's Top High Schools
The American educational system consists of 4 levels, namely primary, secondary, higher, and postgraduate education, as you may have noticed. It is worth noting that the student’s assessment of specific academic disciplines is obtained based on the test results, as well as the student’s attitude to study, participation in the work and activities of the class, etc.
Please note that in the territory of America SAT and ACT are considered state examinations, which are general academic tests, the purpose of which is to determine the general abilities of the student, the level of knowledge of mathematics and language skills. In addition, these tests are ubiquitous entrance exams for admission to top colleges and universities in the United States.
In accordance with the American educational system, graduates of boarding schools receive a High School Certificate, which is universally recognized and quoted by the best universities in Canada and the USA. In the period from grades 9 to 12, the leading boarding schools in America provide quality education for foreign students to successfully pass final exams. In the event of their successful completion, High School Graduation Diploma is issued to graduates.
In addition, a specialized 13th grade was created in America, namely the Advanced Placement Program, aimed at foreign students who plan to study academic subjects on an in-depth basis, which will specialize in top universities, both the United States and other countries of the world. Graduates of the 13th grade are given the opportunity to enroll immediately in the second year of the university. After that, applicants who want to get higher education can become students of colleges or universities, after graduation in which for 4 years graduates are awarded a bachelor's degree.
As for America’s leading high school , it is focused on successful admission to ranking colleges in Canada and the USA, business schools, as well as other universities. It is worth noting the international recognition of a high school diploma, students receive a diploma after graduating from the senior four grades of a boarding school. A mandatory requirement is the achievement by a foreign student of 18 years before September 1 of the year in which the graduation occurs.
Within the framework of this educational program, passing the SAT or ACT exams in the 11th or 12th grade by foreign students is provided. In the event that English is not native, a requirement is made for passing the TOEFL or IELTS test in grade 12. Note that students need to receive approximately 100 credit hours in each discipline. In addition, foreign students require an average of 20 to 24 loans, the difference is due to the specific US state in order to gain access to prestigious American higher education.
After moving to grade 9, American and foreign students begin to receive academic loans. According to the US educational system, it is envisaged to charge one loan for each item that has been successfully passed. To obtain a prestigious diploma, you need to collect from 20 to 24 credits.
Studying in America's Top Boarding Schools
The walls of the American boarding school provide for teaching students arithmetic, reading, and writing. As for the advanced high school and boarding school in the United States, it is compulsory to teach foreign students mathematics, English, natural and social sciences, in addition, physical education classes are taking place. Also, students choose 1 or 2 subjects of choice for study, in particular, it can be a foreign language, art or technology.
Directly in the leading high school of America, foreign students choose on an independent basis disciplines for study.
The cost of advanced American secondary education
The cost of studying and living in elite private boarding schools in the USA ranges from about 15,000 $ to 50,000 $, the difference is due to the chosen American boarding school. This tuition price is lower compared to the leading boarding schools in Switzerland and England, while higher than in Ireland, Canada, and Germany. Typically, the cost of education includes the following parameters:
- Accommodation;
- Nutrition;
- Registration fee payment;
- Insurance;
- The acquisition of teaching materials and school uniforms;
- Student's participation in sports, school and cultural events;
- Art classes and in scientific laboratories;
- Attend a course in English as a foreign language;
- Attending the final exam preparation course.
Specific Features of America's Advanced High Schools
- Each leading American boarding school, without exception, is an independent educational unit that has its own administration and teaching staff. Usually, elite US boarding schools have extensive educational buildings and residences, which, in turn, have excellent facilities and modern infrastructure, in particular, sports halls, swimming pools, laboratories, workshops, kitchens, as well as computerized ones, equipped with the latest technology, libraries. Spacious classrooms are equipped with modern audio and video equipment, in addition, interactive whiteboards are actively used in teaching.
- The division of the school year in the best boarding schools in America for two semesters. As for the duration of classes for 1 day, it is 5-6 hours, taking into account the lunch break. During the school year, the return of foreign students home for the summer, Easter, and Christmas holidays is provided.
- As part of the educational process, emphasis is placed on the physical development of students in top US boarding schools. So, in the walls of advanced private primary and secondary schools in America, regular classes are provided for physical education classes. In addition, foreign students are given an excellent opportunity to engage in a variety of sports, namely basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, etc. It is also worth noting that in all sports, without exception, sports competitions are provided not only between schools, but also cities, regions.
- The key personal characteristics, the development of which is undertaken by the ranking high school in America, are responsibility, independence, self-discipline, initiative, as well as the ability to make decisions and perform tasks independently. In addition, attention is paid by teachers to the development of individual academic and psychological abilities of each student, without exception. It is also worth noting that the entire educational process is focused on the comprehensive development of creative skills and independent thinking.
The main advantages of obtaining prestigious secondary education in America
- Graduates come out of the walls of the best private boarding schools in the USA, who later become leaders, diplomats, and large government figures. Upon graduation from the top private American boarding school, a graduate will be able to freely become a student in ranking universities, both in the USA and other countries of the world.
- A high school diploma in America is widely quoted by all the top universities in the United States and other countries of the world.
- A full immersion in the language environment is provided due to the education of a small number of foreign students.
- In the case of insufficiently good level of English proficiency, a language course “English as a foreign language” has been specially developed for foreign students, the passage of which allows to improve the level of knowledge of English over a short period of time.
- Focusing on conducting intensive classes in various sports. Thus, achieving high results in a particular sport, a foreign student acquires additional benefits as part of admission to a ranking university in the United States.
- All elite private boarding schools in America especially for foreign students are developing an intensive and eventful leisure program.
