American high schools are divided into two categories: public and private. According to U.S. law, the maximum duration for international students to attend public secondary schools is one year, and only a small number of international students are admitted as exchange students. Private secondary schools do not have such restrictions; international students can only receive a full high school education in the United States by attending private schools. There are hundreds of private high schools in the U.S. open to international students, and these schools are world-leading in terms of both teaching quality and facilities.
The grade levels in the U.S. are divided as follows: middle school covers grades 7-8 (equivalent to the first and second years of junior high school in China), and high school covers grades 9-12 (equivalent to the third year of junior high school through the third year of high school in China).
American high school curricula are divided into compulsory and elective courses, covering a wide range of subjects. Most schools offer courses including writing and speech, American history, English grammar, literature, basic mathematics, science, sociology, leadership, geography, economics, etc. Students can also choose elective subjects such as art history, biology, calculus, chemistry, computer science, college economics, microeconomics, English language, English literature, music theory, physics, second languages (such as Spanish, Spanish literature), statistics, studio art, world history, etc.
In addition to completing compulsory and elective courses, students can choose to take college preparatory courses, known as "AP" (Note 1), according to their abilities and interests, thereby laying a solid foundation for entering top-tier American universities. The entrance exams for American universities are the SAT (Note 2) and ACT (Note 3). Currently, most domestic students are unable to achieve high scores due to the differences between Chinese and American education and insufficient English proficiency, whereas students who attend high school in the U.S. have a distinct advantage.
Why Choose an American Private High School
The most prominent features of American private secondary schools are their emphasis on excellent academic performance, encouragement of students to learn new things, cultivation of independent and self-reliant spirits, focus on combining core curricula with diverse courses, attention to student individuality and multi-faceted development, and emphasis on diagnostic and diverse assessments. Schools continuously utilize ample teaching resources and dedicated faculty to assist students in their growth and learning.
By attending an American private high school, students can complete the entire American high school curriculum and fully immerse themselves in American-style critical thinking training.
Excellent American private secondary schools strictly limit the ratio of students by nationality. Living in an American English environment, students quickly overcome language barriers, integrate into American society, and gain a deep understanding of American culture.
American private high schools offer more AP course options than typical public high schools. With AP scores, good SAT (or ACT) scores, and TOEFL scores, students' chances of entering top 100 American universities are significantly increased.
Famous American private high schools are boarding schools with dedicated counselors who guide and care for students' daily lives. This allows children to receive an education in the U.S. independently, fostering their self-reliance, while parents do not need to worry about their children's safety.
Compared to private elite schools of the same quality, American private elite schools are at least $15,000 to $25,000 cheaper than British private elite schools.