Private schools in Boston
Private schools in Boston
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 in independent schools can apply for financial aid, academic scholarships, which can partially or fully cover the cost of education.
The U.S. Secondary Education System
Elementary School
Before entering elementary school, prospective students take an entrance exam. This is a written test that shows developmental and intellectual levels and helps determine a child’s abilities. Depending on the results of the test, students are placed into different classes.
A foreign national may attend elementary school if the child lives in the United States. He may live with a guardian or parent.
The length of study at this level is five or six years, depending on the country. The curriculum is free-form, with children sitting at desks near the end of elementary school. The main subjects – mathematics, reading, English, natural science, literature – are taught by a single teacher. In addition to them, children study art and engage in creativity and sports. Such classes are taught by other teachers.
Secondary school
This stage is divided into two phases: middle school and high school. A unified educational program – from the sixth to the eighth grade. For high school, each educational institution develops independently.
Starting with the eighth grade, students can choose the subjects they want to study. In addition, they must teach mathematics, social and natural sciences, history, English, and art. They can also study foreign languages.
Schoolchildren in the United States not only attend classes, but also participate in school sports, join circles, hobby clubs, and engage in socially useful work. This is a mandatory part of secondary education, which provides children with the necessary social skills and ensures harmonious personal development.
At this stage, talented students can choose advanced courses in individual subjects. Much attention is given to the independent study of individual subjects.
Another feature of American secondary schools is the credit system. Students earn credits, which are later taken into account when entering college. For the study of a subject during the semester, students earn 2.5 credits – 5 credits during the academic year.
Older Set
Students in grades 9-12 are required to study mathematics, natural and social sciences, English, physical education and art. Education is not only theoretical: students perform laboratory work, practical tasks.
In the last 2 years, talented students can take college prerequisite courses. Usually the subjects studied in AP correspond to level 1 or even level 2 courses at the university. Successful completion of the Advanced Placement courses facilitates students’ entry into American universities as well as many British, German, Israeli, and Canadian universities.
In some cases, universities may immediately recredit AP subjects during the first year of college study.
At the end of high school, U.S. students must take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT.
Their scores are taken into account when entering institutions of higher education, universities.
Benefits of private schools in Boston
Only major subjects are considered mandatory and taken by the entire class; the rest of the subjects are optional. This encourages interaction with different students, rather than with the same child. As a result, students in private schools in the United States are more tolerant and inclusive of others’ perspectives and have a broader perspective.
Private schools in the United States are not only divided into coeducational and independent schools (for boys only or girls only). There are also schools that focus on basic military education, helping troubled teens or children with certain illnesses. But most importantly, there are schools that specialize in certain areas of education – art, math, natural science schools.
Private schools in the United States have the most developed infrastructure and very comfortable campuses. In fact, it is a complete town. More comfortable living, dining residences and first-class equipment of educational institutions with modern research and technical equipment, sports facilities (including their own stadiums and swimming pools), professional-level creative studios ……
Almost all schools are divided according to the stage of education received. If in Europe the vast majority of schools offer the complete educational cycle, in the United States there are separate elementary, middle and high schools. This allows students to adapt their individual curriculum to their changing interests and abilities as they get older.
There is a wide variety of subjects available: from the traditional and required (English, math, physics, chemistry, biology, economics) to business, information technology, art, robotics, filmmaking, psychology, philosophy, leadership basics, and even anthropology.
U.S. private schools purposefully prepare children for admission to top universities, including elite Ivy League schools. Career counselors work with high school students, so these individuals are more likely to understand what they want to be and choose the subjects they need.
Career guidance for schoolchildren in the United States is unlike anywhere else in the world: Virtually every private school, every college and every university offers summer schools where you can actually learn about the world of careers of interest, try it out on your own, and assess your abilities.
Not only are sports included as a required subject, but students also participate in a specific sport. Success in sports is especially popular in the United States and not only affects schooling, but is also an important advantage when entering college, up to the point of receiving an athletic scholarship.
Graduates of schools that do not have certificates to compete, such as in Switzerland, will not be able to enter U.S. universities. To be admitted to a U.S. university, high school graduates must pass the SAT or ACT in addition to their high school diploma, and many universities also require the SSAT. also, admissions themselves are conducted competitively based on scores on these tests, not on the average of final exams. Passing these tests can be replaced by AP scores (an extra year of schooling, which is preparation for starting college, after which you can start immediately in your second year of college).
AP scores are recognized in all developed countries. Depending on their scores, you can get into any university in the world as long as the language test is different from English.
For foreigners, studying at a private school in the US is the best way to get into a good American university. Although there is another option: the pathway.
Boston Private School Admissions
The admissions process for prestigious private schools in Boston can be lengthy and includes several stages. If your chosen school is popular and more people apply for admission than there are places available, be sure to follow all requirements regarding documentation and submission deadlines. What is needed to know about admissions and what stages does it involve?
Make an application. Once you have selected a number of eligible schools, submit your online application to them. The optimal number of schools is 4-6. The educational institution accepts them about 9-12 months in advance and places you on the list of candidates for the next academic year.
Provide documents: proof or excerpts from the last two years of school results, letters of recommendation from teachers, results of participation in academic, sports, cultural activities, letters of motivation, proof confirming a high level of English proficiency.
Interviews with parents and students.
Academic tests in major subjects.
Another benefit is to visit selected schools during open days. Many private educational institutions organize summer schools, English language schools in Boston. Summer camps or language courses for a change will be an excellent opportunity to get to know the chosen school, environment, teachers.
Average cost of a school in Boston
The United States is a rating country: here you can find statistics on almost all facts, including data from the field of education. Of course, there are data on the cost of attending a private high school in the United States: according to the data, the average cost of a school in Boston is $13,000.
However, these figures are only a guideline. Many factors will affect the final cost.
In addition to the program itself, parents have to pay for food and insurance, textbooks, uniforms, participation in cultural activities, creative activities, additional English classes, etc. for their children. Of course, the cost of education is influenced by the number of classes, the quality of infrastructure, the living conditions in the boarding apartments, and the professionalism of the teachers by the equipment.
In 2021, the average tuition for middle school is $10,596 (for the year) and for high school is $15,077.
Education in Boston Public Schools is free. However, they are only available to foreign students if their parents move to the United States.