New York is usually associated with professional success. But it is possible to move towards it from afar – for example, starting from high school. What are the differences between private schools in New York, how to choose the right boarding school, and how much should be expected of those who want to study in the United States?
Features of Secondary Education in the U.S.
There are several important features that distinguish American high school. First of all it is the duration of education: the basic High School Diploma course lasts 12 years. It includes elementary school, Middle school (grades 6-8), and High school (grades 9-12) to prepare students for university. After that you may spend at school an extra year to take an Advanced Placement course. It is also possible to study in the United States in the International Baccalaureate program.
An important point is extracurricular activities, physical education, and community service, which are given no less attention than the academic disciplines. Achievements in sports, creative work, and volunteerism add points to a graduate’s university admissions record.
As for the affiliation of high schools, there are public and private schools in the United States. The latter are divided into day schools and boarding schools. Non-residents are entitled to study in public school for one year only, so most foreign children study in private schools.
The best private schools in New York City are
Hackley School
Hackley School – a school for college preparations: it is only for grades 9-12. The required courses correspond to the traditional liberal arts education: to obtain a diploma one must complete a program of English and a foreign language, three years of history, mathematics, three years of natural sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology), and a year of performing or fine arts. The choice of additional courses and electives is extremely wide: from philosophy and economics to computer science, from marine biology to music theory. By the way, Hackley has its own music school, where you can learn to play any instrument and take vocal lessons. The school’s piggy bank of athletic accomplishments is enriched each year by the soccer, cross-country skiing, fencing, lacrosse, and track and field teams, while Hackley’s squash team is one of the best in the country.
The Stony Brook School.
Another college preparatory school, this one serves teens ages 13-18. It is a member of the Ivy League, and one of its first members. The emphasis in the curriculum is made on the interdisciplinary approach, and also development of critical thinking and skills of reasoning and written argumentation. The school offers 21 Advanced Placement courses and numerous elective courses – on engineering, innovation and design, ethics and politics, and creative work. The school has an Innovation Center, where kids learn programming and robotics. You can intern or carry out your projects at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Every Stony Brook student is involved in sports.
Léman Manhattan Preparatory School
Léman Manhattan teaches students from kindergarten through grade 12 following the typical American curriculum, with an individualized learning plan for each student. It is also possible to take the IB program.
The school is located in the heart of New York, in Manhattan. It is very well equipped: there is a huge library, modern computer classes, music and art studios, a large sports center with a swimming pool. Léman teachers use in their education a variety of special programs, which make the education as technologically advanced as possible: courses of computer graphics, digital video, etc. The school also offers a lot of sportive and creative activities.
Whitestone Academy
Children aged 11-18 study at Whitestone Academy. The school has a family atmosphere and small class sizes: there are only 140 students, and 11 students per teacher. Apart from the academic curriculum students are offered a varied sports program, interactive activities, creative workshops and clubs, excursions and trips. Ninety percent of the graduates successfully enter the universities.
Dwight School
The youngest students of the school are 3 years old, the oldest – 19. The school is a part of the international Dwight network, which, besides the campus in New York, also includes schools in London, Seoul, Dubai and Shanghai, that allows students to participate in intercultural educational programs. Dwight School is one of the oldest private schools in the city, but it is also one of the most innovative. The three pillars of their work are individual approach, social development and global education. The program includes a variety of disciplines and implies obligatory practical application of theoretical knowledge. High school students can take internships at large companies.