Boarding schols in USA: New Hampshire.

Borja Pérez-Mínguez | Travel blog

In one of our latest tripts to the United States we were able to visit no less than 14 of the best boarding schools in New Hampshire, one of the states with the biggest academic tradition in the east coast.

Each school has it’s own specific features that makes them special, but all of them share a a series of common settings we will now explain in detail:

• First level academic programs: Spectacular STEM programs, (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), robotics, programming, web design, forensics, business, etc.
• State of the art sport facilities: Soccer fields, American Footbal, lacrosse, field hockey, Astro turf, basketball, track and field, ice hockey, swimming pool, and even ski or snowboarding programs.
• Cutting edge music and art programs: Performing arts, theater, drama, chorus, band, fashion design, ceramics, etc.
• Reduced class size between 12-17 students: Small groups alow a personalized treatment and encourage debating and active participation.
• Graduating students, through to the College Counselor, apply to 6-9 top colleges and based on their academic results, obtain acceptances in several universities for them to choose.
• Proximity to the prestigious New England universities: Boston, MIT, Suffolk, Norwich, Maine, Connecticut, Harvard, Yale, etc. Every school we promote organizes several trips during the academic year to the best universities in the area so students can visit each campus, meet teachers, actual students and feel the atmosphere in each school in order to decide the ones to apply.

At each school we were able to chat with teachers, attend their classes and observe their teaching methods while we debated with current students about different topics being discussed.

Every time we talked with the students at each center, we verified their tremendous level of satisfaction after hearing their excellent feedback about the American academic system, the participation in class and the spectacular academic results they were all obtaining.

All of them emphasized the relevance of the study habit they acquired through the daily mandatory 2 hours Study Hall, since they had never experienced a similar method, but now they couldn’t live without it. This crucial study habit will remain with them forever and they all mentioned they will use it during their entire academic life, even at the university and in their future jobs and professional careers.

In this environment students learn time management skills, how to organize their study hours, prepare ahead of time their essays, research projects and presentations. At the end of the academic year, each student is completely independent and academically self-sufficient. In America’s private schools, students of these ages are treated like adults and as such, they expect from them nothing but the maximum effort and proffesionalism.

We were greatly surprised by the maturity level of the students we interviewed since they couldn’t be more proud of their academic results thanks to their efforts and they all mentioned how much they had grown in such a short periof of time and how greatful they were to their parents for giving them this opportunity.

Many of these students were rewarded by the schools with important academic scholarships since the American culture is based in effort encouragement and they are more than willing to help with financial aid, students whose parents have limited budgets. The students who benefit from the financial aid and scholarships are the ones who have proved themselves as important members of their communities showing leadership skills, community service and academic results.

While we were visiting each wounderful campus, very similar to the ones top universities have, we could observe the profund respect inculcated in all students of academic year programs throught the dorm parents (teachers who live at the schools with their families and are in charge of groups of students in each dorm), since they become authentic parent figures for American and international boarders from all over the world.

Once again we were able to confirm the academic year program at the American boarding schools is undoubtedly the best choice for students who want to study abroad since they will return to their home countries completely bilingual, mature, self confident, and with strong leadership skills they will use to conquer everything in their lives.

Below you will find the best photos of the schools we promote in the area showing the best facilities, classes, labs and programs

At the following link you will find all the details of the program: https://www.internationalacademicprograms.es/en/usa-boarding/

Boarding schools in USA: Pre-Ivy League elite.

Borja Pérez-Mínguez | Travel blog

If you are looking for the best of the best possible education, the universities that always come to mind are the ones included in the prestigious list of the Ivy League, a sport conference integrated by the most prestigious and elite universities located at the east coast ot the United States (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Yale and Princeton). The few students that get accepted have a brilliant future ahead of them after graduation. The same concept applies to the rest of top tier elite universities located in other areas of the USA like MIT, Berkeley, Chicago, Caltech, Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, etc.

Many Monarchy members of different countries, Presidents of the Government, senators, scientists, Nobel prize winners, entrepereneurs and successful businessmen are part of the exclusive group of students who have studied at these Ivy League universities.

The acceptance rate of new estudents at these centers  is very low, and the best way to secure a place at the Ivy League universities is undoubtedly studying 4 years through the eliteboarding schools in the USA, Pre-Ivy League, since all of their students secure acceptances at the top universities of their choice.

These elite boarding schools have also a very low acceptance rate since thousands of exceptional candidates from all over the world apply each year and very few have the privilege of being finally accepted. I’s also very important to keep in mind they require a 4 year commitment since they won’t consider candidates for just one academic year.

In order to apply to one of the top private boarding schools it’s mandatory to meet the following requirements:

• Apply with over a year in advance, no later than October. After reviewing the materials, the schools confirm the acceptances in January.
• Superb transcripts in the past 3 years. Nothing below A in academic results.
• Almost bilingual English level. Results from official SSAT and TOEFL exams must be provided.  
• Being a well known member of the community: Recommendation letters proving leadership skills, community service, internships, etc.   
• Practicing some extracurricular activity: being a part of sports teams, play music instruments, art interests, etc.
• 4 year commitment. Most boarding schools allow students to study just for one academic year, but these elite boarding schools require completing 4 years, 9th-12th grade.
• Budget of around 50-70.000$ tuition for each academic year + extras like health insurance (2.000$), texbooks, uniform, flights, transfers and our fees (4.000€ + VAT).

If the candidate fulfils all the above requirements, we can officially apply, but even then, no acceptance is guaranteed since thousands of candidates are in the same position, the very best of every country, and the acceptance rate is very low.

As we have been able to confirm after years of experience and visiting hundreds of private schools in the USA, meeting teachers, staff members, college counselors and current students, studying 4 years at one of the elite private boarding schools is surely the best way to secure a place at the Ivy League universities.

In one of our latest trips to New England, we had the privilege of visiting some of the best elite boarding schools in the world located in New Hampshire: the worlwide recognised Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul’s School, two of the most historic and academic schools founded in 1781 and 1856 respectively.

These two elite boarding schools are part of a select group of top centers, whose students are all accepted after graduation at the Ivy Leage universities, considered the best of the world. Former famous students of these gruop of elite boarding schools are President of the USA George H.Bush (Phillips Exeter and Yale), Facebook founder Mark Zuckerber (Phillips Exeter and Harvard), Secretary of State John Kerry (St. Paul’s and Georgetown), FBI Director Robert Moeller (St. Paul’s and Yale), etc.

During our school visits we were able to verify first hand the incredible level and cutting edge academic classes and laboratories, sport facilities and art buildings where students reach their full potential. It was brought to our attention the millionaire donations done by former students and successful businessmen who want to help improving the schools and in some way give back and recognize the received education as crucial part of their accomplishments.

The complete list of these elite boarding schools is the following: Phillips Exeter, Phillips Andover, St. Paul’s, Choate, Deerfield, Groton, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, West Nottingham Academy, Milton, etc.

Some of the features all schools share are the following:

• Founders of the Harkness method: 12 students in each class seated in a round table while debating about every topic with the teacher moderating in the middle.
• The reduced class size allows a much personalized treatment and encourages active participation.
• Students are shaped to be future leaders.
• State of the art academic, sport, music and arts facilities.
• Academic excellence.
• Academic Year tuition: 50-70.000$ + extras.
• Lowest acceptance rate in the field.

Therefore and due to the extreme difficulty of obtaining a place at those schools, the candidate should apply with over a year in advance while in 8th grade and for a 4 year commitment: 9th to 12th grade in order to graduate. These schools won’t consider students for just one academic year.

We will always advise interested families and candidates about these options, but the profile must be very academic and the places can’t be guaranteed.

Below you will find the best photos of the schools we promote in the area showing the best facilities, classes, labs and programs.

At the following link you will find all the details of the program: https://www.internationalacademicprograms.es/en/usa-boarding/

Private schools with host family in USA: Arizona.

Borja Pérez-Mínguez | Travel blog

In one of our latest trips to the United States we were able to visit the area of Phoenix in Arizona, a state well know for the polite and respectful manners of it’s citizens and a great destination for 3 type of students:

1. Students who want to live a truly American experience since it’s by far the area in the United States with less international students. The schools we selected for the academic year programs offer a complete American immersion since 98% of the students are American with a very reduced international population.
2. Candidates looking for a warm weather environment all year long with very mild winters (about 15º) completely different from the cold states in New England or New York (-20º).
3. Students who love nature activities like hiking, camping, cave exploration and all kinds of adventure sports.

With such a low number of international population, all students practice English at all times and that encourages closer relations and making new friends easily so Arizona becomes an ideal destination for students who prefer quiet areas where everybody knows each other and feels as a part of the community.

Regarding the academics, all schools offers strogn STEM options (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and some of the best students compete in robotic tournaments at state and even national championships.

Thanks to the reduced size schools we were happy to see as we explored each campus how everybody was more friendly and happy and encouraged to help each other. One of the traditions they have is the clan system like in the Harry Potter movies, so each student belongs to a clan or house, and during the entire length of the academic year program earns points for academic, sport, music or art results. The houses also competed against each others in all kind of different games, and the winners would get many different prizes like pizzas, field trips, permission to wear casual clothes, etc. This fun system allows a quick integration in the community and becomes a huge success for new students since they feel welcomed since the moment they arrive.

In sports as we always find in all the schools we promote at International Academic Programs, the options offered include a wide range of opportunities like soccer, basketball, tennis, track and field or baseball. Each one is played in an specific season and therefor the students get to compete in 3 different sports against other private schools in the area during the entire academic year.

For arts enthusiastics, the schools offer many alternatives like music, band, chorus, dance, ballet, jazz, painting, photography or drama among many others.

Arizona is also a great choice for students with a low English level since the schools offer amazing ESL programs (English as a Second Lenguage) for students struggling with the lenguage. This program adapts to each student’s needs and provides all need support with very reduced class sizes (7 students) and up to 1-2 daily hours help without any extra cost, so the program is very persinalized and allows students to quickly improve their English skills.

Regarding weekend activites we find all kinds of options such as adventure sports like kayaking, zip lining, climbing or hiking, many different field trips, visits to amusement parks, major cities, museums, mini golfs, NBA, American Football and baseball games, etc. All these activities is included in the cost of the program so students get to experience many American activities.

All schools are located in residential areas of very quite towns within 50 minutes from Phoenix, so they have all the amenities of a big city, in a very safe environment.

At the following link you will find all the details of the program: https://www.internationalacademicprograms.es/en/usa-family/

Private schools with host family in USA: New York, Long Island.

Borja Pérez-Mínguez | Travel blog

In the past few years we had the privilege to visit many times and select the best private catholic schools of the area of New York, undoubtedly one of the most excting destinations in the world.

All the schools are located in very quiet and safe beach towns in Long Island, about 50 minutes away by train to the center of Manhattan. Every school offers state of the art facilities in academics, sports, arts or music with cutting edge programs for every specialty.

Every single school has the College Prep designation so all their graduates secure places at the best universities of the United States with the guidence of their College Counselors.

As most of the private schools International Academic Programs promotes  in North America, due to the increasing universal claim, the centers provide very strong STEM programs (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). For science options and thanks to generous alumni donations, the schools offer incredible facilities worth millions of dollars like the spectacular Anatomage Table. This machine allows students with medicine interests to study the human body, giving them the opportunity of virtually dissecting bones, organs, or even bloodstream cells to study in detail every single aspect of the anatomy. This is an incredible option for students who want to become doctors in the future. At this moment there are only 16 of these very expensive machines in the United States so it remains as an unparalleled alternative for students who really want to pursuit medicine careers.

Regarding sports the schools offer the best facilities and teams in all the estate, with outstanding top class programs in soccer, tennis, basketball or baseball among many others.

It’s essential to keep in mind that due to the incredible competence in sports in all the schools of the state (the best universities try to choose the best athletes at these schools to join them), the new students won’t be able to participate in competitive sports during the first year. This state law is set to prevent athletes from all over the world to spend one year at those schools and get an advantage towards other domestic students. For these reasons, new students can’t particpate in competitive sports until they have spent one entire academic year in the state of New York. For the students who only want to study for one academic year, they could join local clubs, (without competition) or participate in the following school options: sailing, track and field, cheerleading, rowing or equestrian programs.

For arts enthusiastics the schools offer some of the finest programs in the USA, with top level music options like the best chorus in North America (competing at national level), band, thater, drama, performing arts, painting or ceramics.

The environment is very safe, quiet and familiar, located in residential catholic areas and surrounded by gorgeous beaches, lakes and parks, ideal options for nature activities.

The students get many different recreation opportunities in town like movie theaters, restaurants, shopping malls, bowling centers, etc, and are situated only about 50 minutes away from the center of Manhattan. New York City is one of the most recognized cities on earth and provides an unparalleled scenario perfect for family activities like visiting musems (MOMA), walking by Central Park, having lunch at Little Italy, shopping at the Chelsea Market or Soho, visiting Wall Street and Ground Zero, or attending Broadway plays, NBA, American Football or Baseball games just to mention a few.

In all the trips we have done to New York in the past years we were able to visit each corner of the city and no matter how many times you visit Manhattan, you can always find some excuse to return! We encourage parents to visit their children while they study their academic year in New York and spend some days at the always spectacular Big Apple.

At the following link you will find all the details of the program: https://www.internationalacademicprograms.es/en/usa-family/