The best private schools in Boston offer education for foreign students, where the education is available for children from 11 to 18 years old. Boston is the oldest city in the USA and the largest in New England: it has a developed infrastructure, various offers on the market of educational services. Independent private schools in Boston have a commercial and non-profit form of organization, financed by non-state sources – charitable foundations, private donations, tuition. Private schools are accredited by specialized agencies WASC, CAIS, NAIS and have strict educational quality control. Students at independent schools can apply for financial aid, academic scholarships, which can partially or fully cover the cost of their education.
The U.S. School System
The U.S. education system consists of several levels: preschool, secondary (school), and higher education.
Preschool (pre-school) is an educational program for children from three to five years old. There are private early childhood education institutions, as well as institutions funded by the U.S. states and the federal government. Preschool is not compulsory in the United States.
Elementary school in the United States is the first stage of compulsory secondary education. Typically, children begin elementary school at age 5-6 and finish at age 10-11. In elementary school, children are taught to read, write, and count. Then they learn spelling, the basics of grammar, and the beginnings of algebra. In addition, elementary schools usually have physical education, art, and natural science classes. In an elementary school class, there are usually 20 to 30 students, and one teacher can teach almost all subjects (except physical education, drawing, and music).
Secondary schools in the United States are the second stage of schooling. Typically, these are grades six through eight, and children study from ages 11-12 to 13-14. Unlike elementary school, each subject in secondary school has its own teacher and students have some freedom in choosing the subjects they study. The required subjects are usually mathematics, English, natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy, etc.), history, and physical education. In addition, you may choose a foreign language, music, painting, or many other subjects.
The final stage of secondary education in the United States is high school. Usually high school is grades nine through twelve, and children study from ages 14-15 to 17-18. In high school, students have more freedom in choosing the subjects they study. School rules always specify mandatory subjects and study periods. However, within this group, a student can choose a direction that is more interesting to him. Such a system leads to the absence of classes in the usual sense of the word in American schools. Thus, for example, high school must be studied at least two years of mathematics, four years of English, two years of natural science, three years of social science, and one year of physical education.
Upon successful completion of grade 12, students are awarded a high school diploma – a “high school diploma”. This document is recognized by universities and employers in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. Gifted and talented children may apply for an honors diploma – the Honors Diploma in Liberal Studies, the College Preparatory Diploma.
In addition, most public and private schools in the United States allow students to take college preparatory courses organized by the College Board – the Advanced Placement (AP) program. This program allows students to take college-level courses of their choice. Under this program, in-depth study of subjects in the last 2 years of high school allows you to earn college education credit for the appropriate major.
The Advanced Placement Program consists of courses in 21 subject majors. Students choose several subjects for in-depth study from the suggested areas. These may include foreign languages, natural and social sciences, arts, computer science, mathematics, and sociology. At the end of the program, a written exam is given for each subject studied.
The pre-university exams are given in the form of an examination scored on a five-point scale, where 5 is the maximum score and 1 is the minimum score. The results of the exam are sent to the university along with the applicant’s other documents.
AP courses are increasingly recognized worldwide, and students who earn an International AP Diploma or successfully pass three exams are expected to enter prestigious universities.
Also during high school, students take a college or university entrance exam, usually the SAT or ACT, and when they finish school, many children know not only if they have gotten into the college of their choice, but also if they can count on a specific scholarship.
The SAT Reasoning Test (also known as the “Scholastic Aptitude Test” and the “Academic Assessment Test”, literally “Academic Assessment Test”) is a standardized test for admission to higher education institutions in the United States. The SAT is a standardized test for admission to institutions of higher education in the United States. The SAT assesses the literacy and writing skills needed to succeed in college and shows how well test takers perform on the tasks they learn in school and the tasks they will need to complete later. Most questions on the SAT are 5-choice, of which only one is correct. Typically, questions in all sections are ordered by difficulty, except for Text Analysis, which are arranged chronologically. The 10 questions on the math section require numerical answers. Students receive the results online by mail about 3 or 6 weeks after the test: the results of three sections (from 200 to 800 points) and two sub-results – an essay and a grammar test. For a fee, you can get a detailed analysis of the test, where you can see where the errors occurred and read the explanation of each error.
ACT (American College Testing – American Test) – A standardized test for admission to U.S. colleges and for transfer from one college to another. Historically, it consisted of four tests: English, Reading, Math and Science Reasoning. In February 2005, there was an option to take a written test. ACT scores are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities, but some may require additional score information. In most cases, the ACT consists of four multiple-choice questions. Alternatively, a written test may be taken without affecting the overall score.
The ACT is most often taken by students from the Midwest and Southern states, while the SAT is more popular in the Eastern United States (although the ACT used to be prevalent there) and on the West Coast.
Education and accommodation in private schools in Boston
Private schools in Boston are organized like boarding houses, but that’s not all. A characteristic feature of private secondary educational institutions is a developed infrastructure, similar to that of a university campus. This means that there are not only residences with residential and educational buildings, but also research centers, sports halls and halls, cafeterias and hobby clubs, laboratories and game rooms. Education takes place here all day long. First, the children attend lectures, then they participate in additional classes, extracurricular activities and take part in selected circles and sections.
The school places special emphasis on sports. Sports are an integral part of life for Americans. Each educational institution has its own team for each sports discipline, and successful athletes can earn a pass to the most prestigious universities in the United States and can count on sports scholarships.
In most cases, parents choose to live on campus for their children. This is the most convenient housing option, as children live in comfortable homes that can accommodate 1-2 people in one room. However, if you do not want your child to stay on campus, it is possible to stay with a host family. Each host family is carefully selected and takes full responsibility for the health and well-being of the child as well as for the attendance of the subjects. In any case, no matter what type of accommodation you choose, you can be sure that your child will always be supervised and that his academic progress will be monitored by a personal advisor.
Parents should be prepared when their child attends a private school in Boston because these schools have strict disciplinary requirements. Each student must follow the school’s bylaws unconditionally or face punishment or even expulsion, as each educational institution strives to maintain its image and there is no place for rebellion in such a school. It is necessary to familiarize your child with the charter of the educational institution, even before submitting the documents.
How to get into a private school in Boston
Before enrolling in a private school in Boston, you need to choose a suitable educational institution that offers a program close to your child’s preferences. After choosing an educational institution, you will need to collect the following documents.
- Photo, passport.
- Application for admission.
- Transcripts of the last 2-3 years.
- Recommendation letters from teachers and classroom teachers.
- Essay “Why should I study at your school?” .
- Diplomas, awards, certificates, trophies, etc.
- SSAT test scores.
In addition, when applying to a private school in Boston, you will need to pass an interview with a representative from the educational institution. It is important to note that private schools have a rigorous screening process for applicants, so it is important that your child is prepared for admission and the interview.
What is the average cost of a Boston school?
The typical cost of attending a boarding school in Boston ranges from $35,000 to $60,000. There are several factors that affect the total amount: Tuition, including rooms, dormitory facilities and meals.
