College Prep Schools / High Schools

American College Prep Schools / High Schools

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In the US, college prep schools are usually private secondary schools that focus on providing a rigorous academic program, continuing athletic involvement, and varied extracurricular activities with leadership opportunities. High schools are public schools that offer the last four years of formal education (grades 9-12, which is equivalent to klas 3-6 in the Netherlands) and many of these can also provide a high quality academic and athletic program for international students at much less cost than private college prep schools.

Characteristics of this type of secondary school include:

a high level of quality, with small classes (an average of 3 to 10 students per course)
a wide range of subjects: not only ‘regular’ school subjects, but creative and art subjects are also offered
a wide choice of courses at college level, such as Advanced Placement courses or courses within an International Baccalaureate program
suitable for students of all levels or with specific learning needs
a relatively large number of foreign students and students from all US states
extensive sports facilities on and near the campus
organized social activities and trips within the US as well as abroad
personal attention and guidance, including orientation and guidance for further education at a college or university
SAT/ACT preparation and assistance with the selection and application process to top colleges and universities in the US
possibility of shared student accommodation on campus, under professional supervision

Sports after school is usually compulsory, depending on the type of school. Many social, cultural and education activities are also organized outside school time, including trips for students within the US and abroad. Some college prep schools also offer ‘boarding’, which means that some of the students live in supervised student accommodation on school campus. In most cases, the student usually lives in a shared student accommodation building (amongst their own gender) under professional supervision. Meals are eaten together in the cafeteria.

For international students attending high schools it is sometimes possible to arrange a placement in a host family, which may managed by the school itself.

A lot of attention is given to ‘character building’, intellectual and artistic development and working and playing sports together. In the upper classes, there is more focus on the educational and career aspects for the student. In short, a college prep school prepares their students for a successful adult life, and achieving entry into a top college or university anywhere in the world.

Some schools have a special character, for example a strong focus on the arts (these are the so-called pre-professional art schools), in certain sports (such as football, horse riding, golf and winter sports), whilst others have a military character or are for girls only or boys only. In addition, many schools allocate resources to providing individual attention to students who need additional learning support, for example students with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety or giftedness .

Of course, it is also possible to achieve an American high school International Baccalaureate diploma. An IB diploma, in principle, gives the student access to applying to all universities in the world. The level of a US high school diploma in Dutch terms is usually comparable to a HAVO diploma. Training with a combination of high level, extensive content and good performance can achieve the equivalent of a VWO level in 5 to 6 years. In the latter case, a Dutch student who also holds an American high school diploma can not only access the realm of US higher education but also access all Dutch HBO institutions and universities.

Students who are attending high school in their own country also have the option of spending a semester or a year at a US college prep school or high school. They will participate with final year students (known as seniors) but are free to choose from all of the available subjects that match their own academic level. It is also possible to attend an extra ‘postgraduate’ or 13th year at college prep or high school, which many students find beneficial. It allows them to have one extra year to consolidate their academic results, or to improve their sporting skills, and prepare them for college or university.

Sample Schools:

Cheshire Academy – Cheshire, Connecticut

George School – Newtown, Pennsylvania

Idyllwild Arts Academy – Idyllwild, California

Kent School – Kent, Connecticut

Lincoln Academy – Newcastle, Maine

Marianapolis Preparatory School – Thompson, Connecticut

Monteverde Academy – Montverde, Florida

Northwood School – Lake Placid, New York

Oak Hill Academy – Mouth of Wilson, Virginia

Oregon Episcopal School – Portland, Oregon

Orono High School – Orono, Maine