Villanova Preparatory Private Boarding School

• Location: Ojai, California, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1924,
• Number of students: about 183,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

Villanova Preparatory School is one of the best schools in the country, offering an academically strong 9th—12th grade program in a beautiful valley in California.

The more than 100-year history shows the constant development of the school — today it is one of the most sought-after among such educational institutions, accepting both local and foreign students. Throughout all the years of its existence, Villanova Preparatory School has carefully preserved the traditions based on its origins — in 1924 it was established by Archbishop John Cantwell and the Augustinians from Villanova, Pennsylvania. Faith, service and social activities are important aspects of life here, and special attention is paid to this in the education of students. Students receive a wide variety of not only high-quality academic knowledge, but also life skills: leadership, sociability, teamwork, tolerance and much more will serve as an excellent basis for continuing their studies at the university and building a career.

The curriculum of high school students includes a wide variety of disciplines, additional international Baccalaureate electives, and extracurricular development opportunities. Diplomas awarded upon completion of studies in the USA are accepted at leading universities around the world.

In addition to using of textbooks and printed resources, educational process stipulates usage of new technologies: modern computers, iPads, laptops. Students, entering the school, must have their own iPad in order to fully immerse themselves in the study of subjects, the development of scientific areas. The device can also be rented.

International students are offered additional language support in the format of the EIS course: native teachers organize classes in small groups for students in grades 9-11 to help them quickly adapt to the English-speaking environment, improve their knowledge level and skills of listening understanding, speaking, and comprehension of academic information.

Residences offering separate accommodation for boys and girls have been built on the campus. Students live in fully furnished rooms and have access to common areas: kitchens, living rooms, gyms and games rooms, self-study classкщщьs and others. Together with the students, staff members live in residential buildings, providing round-the-clock supervision and support on any issue. Mentors also help with homework by providing tutoring hours on certain days during the school week.

Residents are offered three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily in the dining room. Dishes are prepared from fresh products: vegetables, fruits, meat and fish, cereals and others, the menu is based on the rules of a healthy, balanced diet. A qualified team of chefs is ready to meet any nutritional needs, including dietary, medical, and religious ones.

The residences are open during the holidays, offering free accommodation to those who travel too far to get home.

The school offers extensive opportunities for extracurricular development: High school students can participate in national sports teams, creative circles, themed clubs, organize events, engage in charity and other activities that they like.

Sports are taught seasonally, separately for boys and girls. Qualified coaches sensitively monitor the students' progress, providing them with knowledge about the rules and tactics of the chosen game, safety and recovery.

Seasonal sports for boys are:

• Autumn: football, water polo,
• Winter: basketball, football,
• Spring: baseball, golf.

The girls train in the following seasonal areas:

• Autumn: volleyball, lawn tennis,
• Winter: basketball, soccer, water polo,
• Spring: swimming, athletics.

Training sessions are held on outdoor specialized sites, in gyms and game halls. Before the competition, the teams train almost every day in order to confirm their leadership in the competitions between the schools of the city and the state from year to year.

A wide range of themed clubs provides students with the opportunity to find something they like, gain the support of like-minded people, and pay attention to their hobbies.

The list of clubs offered includes:

• Astronomy,
• Book Club,
• Chess,
• Cooking,
• Robotics, working with drones,
• Dungeons and Dragons Board Game Club,
• Cinema Club,
• Playing the guitar,
• Philosophy,
• Discussions,
• Debates,
• Weightlifting,
• Protection of wild animals.

Every year, the list of clubs is changed to offer students new opportunities for development. Quite often, various events are organized on campus: from freshman week to winter dances and prom — recreation, socializing and entertainment occupy an important place in student life.

• Wildcat Day is an annual tradition that embodies the vibrant spirit and unity of the Villanova Preparatory School community. The one-day celebration, based on the historical time of the 1970s, unites the entire school family: from students and teachers to graduates and families. Divided into ten groups, they participate in sports and creative competitions, including relay races, theatrical performances, frisbee, volleyball and others, and in the evening the celebration continues with barbecue and ice cream at the ceremony of announcing the winners.,
• Freshman Welcome Week is an exciting start to learning for new students. During this special week, the freshmen are warmly welcomed by their older friends, forming bonds that persist throughout their school journey. New students spend a week participating in various events and interactive workshops, adapting to the campus and lifestyle at Villanova Preparatory School.,
• International Day is a vibrant celebration in honor of the diverse student community: students and faculty are proud to showcase their international heritage through colorful performances, cooking,
• Nova Bowl is a day of intellectual and creative challenges: students form teams and compete enthusiastically, striving to receive the coveted award.,
• Service Day is a deep expression of the desire to serve others and have a positive impact on the world. On this special day, students, faculty, and staff devote their time and energy to various community service projects, from volunteering at local shelters and environmental conservation efforts to organizing food events and educational initiatives.

Villanova Preparatory School students enthusiastically participate in field events that help them explore the culture and customs of the United States, enjoy the natural and architectural beauties, and taste the national cuisine.

Throughout the year, students regularly go on tours of museums and theaters, on tourist trips around Los Angeles and its surroundings, and on hikes.

• Niche rating — A+,
• Fully accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) School,
• A small institution with a total of 183 students, 50 of whom are from abroad,
• The ratio of teachers to students is 1:7, 81% of the teaching staff has the highest scientific qualifications.,
• More than 30 themed clubs, 17 sports for extracurricular development,
• About 16 International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in the USA,
• Computers and individual iPads are used in the learning process, and 100% of high school students enroll in universities and colleges, often of the first choice.

Villanova Preparatory School is located in southern California, just an hour's drive from Los Angeles. The campus covers an area of 131 acres, offering a quiet area, a variety of infrastructure for learning and recreation.:

• Residences for boys and girls,
• Classrooms with interactive equipment,
• Computer rooms, a large library with a reading area, access to electronic databases,
• Scientific laboratories with a full set of equipment for conducting research and project work,
• Full-size sports fields: tennis courts, soccer and softball fields, athletics stadium, swimming pool,
• Creative studios,
• Indoor game rooms for training in bad weather,
• Self-study classes, group activities.

The academic year runs from late August to late May and consists of two semesters:

• Autumn: August-December,
• Spring: January-May.

Students take tests between semesters and at the end of the year to check their acquired knowledge. The weekly schedule includes five school days: Monday-Friday, with weekends on Saturdays and Sundays. Classes are not held during holidays, national and international holidays.

Approximate list of additional expenses includes:

• Registration fees upon admission,
• Annual fees for medical care, technology and some other services,
• Accommodation and meals in the residence,
• Medical insurance,
• School uniform,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Additional academic support, including language courses for foreign students,
• Transfers upon request,
• Pocket money.

Future students of Villanova Preparatory School are required to pass several compulsory stages for successful enrollment:

• Filling out the online application, providing the necessary documents,
• Payment of registration fees,
• Passing interviews, possible entrance tests,
• Receiving an official invitation for studying,
• Payment of part or full of the tuition fee,
• Arrival on campus: accommodation in the residence, attendance at introductory events, start of classes.

Graduate statistics show that 100% of high school students successfully pass the final exams and enter the universities of their choice. Over the past three years, high school students have enrolled in the following educational institutions:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
• Stanford University,
• Cornell University,
• Northwestern University,
• University of California (Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Irvine, San Diego campuses),
• New York University,
• Boston College,
• Boston University,
• Georgia Institute of Technology,
• Pepperdine University,
• Northeastern University,
• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill,
• Villanova University,
• University of Arizona,
• University of British Columbia.

Admission of new students is open in grades 9-11. Foreign candidates must provide:

• Personal documents: passport, medical insurance and health certificates, visa or residence permit,
• A personal statement describing the achievements, ambitions and goals for studying at Villanova Preparatory School,
• Official transcripts for the last two academic years,
• Letters of recommendation from teachers of mathematics and English,
• Language test results: TOEFL (from 70) or IELTS, Duolingo of the same level.

The school provides financial support based on the needs of families. If the student's family is unable to pay for the studying in full for any reason, Villanova Preparatory School will cover part of the costs.

In addition to financial aid, the institution also offers scholarship programs. Academic excellence scholarships are offered to students who score 90% or higher nationally on the HSPT, SSAT entrance tests. For students who score below 90%, the institution offers Augustine Scholarships, named after previous Augustinian fathers and brothers, which are awarded to students who show promise in a particular field of studying.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision