Private schools in Florida offer traditional and advanced programs for international students from all types of educational institutions. Studying in American schools provides foreign students with the opportunity to prepare for admission to prestigious American universities, learn the American language and culture from an early age, and greatly simplify their further entry into universities and colleges and employment in American companies. If you choose Florida as a place for your family or children to live and study, then you have chosen an area that is uniquely located on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, with a mild winter climate, extensive park areas and many tourist attractions. Florida has a well-developed educational infrastructure; the state has many educational institutions at all levels: elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.
The U.S. Education System
In American schools, children study for 12 years – from the age of 5-6 to 17-18. Each school independently determines the age of entry for foreign students. In some cases, children are accepted from the age of 7, but few parents are willing to send their children abroad at this age. Therefore, as a rule, children of middle (13-14 years) or older (16 years) school age come.
The U.S. school system is divided into three main levels. Each step is a completely separate institution, located in a separate building. At the elementary level, children study the required subjects; in the middle grades, they add several elective courses. In high school, children can choose the subjects they will need when they enter college. American schools do not have classroom teachers or classes, but each student has a curator who advises on subject selection, scheduling, career guidance, and college admissions.
Elementary Schools
Within the elementary school structure, there may be 5 or 6 classes, depending on the state, starting with matriculation. Children over the age of 5 may enter zero (preparatory) classes. Students from other countries may attend elementary school if the child lives in the U.S. with a parent or guardian.
During the first two years of elementary school in the United States, there is no strict discipline or serious academy style: children can walk around the classroom, sit on the floor, form circles on the floor, read bright books and talk. Homework is provided in the form of free assignments. After a walk, for example, children were asked to draw what they saw in green; older children could write a short essay about the beetles that crawl through the trees on campus. By fifth grade, children move to single desks and the curriculum becomes more structured.
In elementary school, the main subjects – writing, reading, math basics and the world around – are taught by one teacher, while others take children to creative, music and physical education classes.
Secondary School
In secondary school, each subject has its own teacher and students have some freedom in their choice of subjects.
Mathematics, English, natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy-science), history, physical education and creativity are still compulsory subjects. Students choose 1-2 subjects on their own. The most common ones are computer technology, cooking, foreign languages or art.
In addition, in the middle, it is possible to choose more complex programs in the discipline. To do this, you need to get excellent grades in the previous year. Starting in grade 7, you can increase the complexity of math and English. In grade 8 – natural and social sciences. In courses of increased complexity, more intensive programs with complex tasks and a lot of self-learning information.
In addition, a credit system is being introduced in secondary schools. For 1 subject 1 year of study is given 5 credits, for subjects that last 1 semester – 2.5 credits. Then these indicators are taken into account when entering the university.
High school
In high school, students have more freedom in choosing subjects and levels of study.
Each subject includes many sub-disciplines that students can take individually or in complex ways: for example, mathematics includes courses in geometry, algebra, trigonometry, principles of analysis, statistics and other sections; the social science group includes U.S. history, world history, political science, psychology, sociology, etc.
In high school, students take a college or university entrance exam (SAT or ACT – tests general knowledge in math, language, logic and critical thinking).
American schools: advantages and benefits
Now let’s talk about the benefits of secondary education in the United States for students.
Very often, graduates of prestigious private schools abroad, especially in the United States, reach professional heights and become influential people in the future – diplomats, leaders, government officials
American secondary education diploma opens the door for yesterday’s schoolchildren to enter prestigious universities in this country and many other countries of the world
In private schools, the percentage of foreign students is not as high (up to 15%), so students here are free to immerse themselves in an international atmosphere and practice their English without having to remember their native language
For students who are not very confident in their knowledge of a foreign language, American schools offer English as a Foreign Language programs. As part of this program, foreign students will be able to quickly adapt to their new environment and bring their language skills up to the required level.
American schools place a strong emphasis on physical activity for children, so playing sports during their studies will become mandatory. In addition, the management of the educational institution organizes a wide range of recreational and cultural activities for their wards.
Access to private schools in Florida
The best private schools in Florida have quite high requirements for applicants. The standard procedure consists of the following steps.
- Make an application. They are submitted six months to a year in advance of the start of eduaction.
- Provide documentation (two years of certificates or transcripts of grades; teacher characteristics; letters of motivation; documentation of achievements in academic, sports, cultural fields – awards in Olympic, sports competitions; certificates, other documents proving the foreign student’s knowledge of English)
- Interviews with children and parents
- Passing academic exams.
One of the major advantages of choosing a school is participation in open days, events organized by educational institutions (charity fairs, concerts), attendance at English language schools, summer schools organized in Florida according to the selected educational institutions.
Students in private high schools in Florida can apply for scholarships for academic achievement, success in sports, social and cultural programs. Most scholarships are for full or partial tuition.
What is the cost of Florida boarding schools?
According to research, analysis shows that the annual cost of boarding schools in Florida ranges from $38,850 to $50,000.
While some schools have tuition as low as $10,000 and some schools have tuition as high as $60,000, in most cases, tuition includes room and board.
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