Semester Schools
How about living on a working farm for a semester? Or investigating marine life in The Bahamas? Perhaps you grew up on a farm and are hankering to explore a major city like New York? A semester school offers those experiences and more.
Semester schools offer enrichment to your high school experience. The semester school, like its big cousin, the year abroad, offers you a chance to experience different worlds, different environments and different cultures or gives you time to do some substantive research. And you can, in most cases, enjoy this incredible experience without leaving the country. The Island School located in Eleuthera, Bahamas and Swiss Semester located in Switzerland are the two exceptions on the list of programs below.
The cost? From no cost to several thousands of dollars not including extras. Is there financial aid? Yes. Ask the individual program providers for complete details.
When do you go? Typically students like to spend part of their junior year away from their home school. It's practical and doesn't interfere much with the academic sequence, testing, college applications and all the other features of your senior year.
- CITYterm
- The Island School
- The Maine Coast Semester
- The Mountain School Program Of Milton Academy
- The Outdoor Academy of the Southern Appalachians
- The Oxbow School
- The Rocky Mountain Semester
- Swiss Semester
- The Woolman Semester At Sierra Friends Center
Resources
Read Related Schools Articles:
Different kinds of schools, schools in various locations, associations and directories.
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Two television series about private schools have received a certain amount of buzz recently. Gossip Girl airs on CW. NYC Prep is on Bravo.
About Schools
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5 Things Not To Like About Private School
What are the five things critics like the least about private schools? Start with the fact that everybody who goes to private school is rich. Or are they? -
Charter Schools and Vouchers
Are charter schools private schools? What do vouchers have to do with private schools? Some answers here. -
Private Schools Glossary
Private schools have their own jargon just like any activity or affinity group has. Here are some of the more common terms you are likely to encounter as you explore private schools. -
What's an Independent School?
A look at the different names and types of private schools. -
Top Roman Catholic Boarding Schools
These Roman Catholic boarding schools offer good value, great educations and a faith-based community experience. -
What's Being Taught?
What curricula do private schools follow? Who accredits private schools? What kind of standards prevail? More here. -
What's a private school?
Is a private school the same as an independent school? -
Which School Do Malia and Sasha Obama Attend?
Many famous children have attended private schools. Here is a sampling of schools and the famous folk who graced their hallowed halls. -
Why Do Private Schools Not Have To Teach To The Test?
Private schools don't have to teach to the test because they do not accept public funds.
Associations
National, state and regional association of private schools
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National Associations
As you research schools, check the national and state associations. Is the school you are considering a member? If not, why not? -
Regional Associations
Some states do not have their own private school associations. Schools band together across state lines forming regional associations. These associations have the same purpose as state associations. More here. -
State Associations
Do the schools you are researching belong to state independent school associations? If not, find out why not!
Directories
Guides and web sites with lists of schools
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Directories
A list of directories of private and independent schools. -
Guides To Private Schools
Do you prefer to peruse a book rather than going online to find private schools? If so, there are some excellent guides to private schools available.
Kinds of Schools
Various kinds of schools
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Alternative Schools
Sometimes a regular school is not the right fit for a child. Perhaps she needs an alternative school. -
Classical Christian Schools
Classical Christian schools combine strict adherence to Christian beliefs with classical principles of education. -
Hockey Schools
Got an aspiring hockey player in your family? Many American private schools enjoy a great reputation for excellent hockey teams as well as superb academics. -
Free Schools
There are but a few free private schools in the United States. Most of them were founded by visionary businessmen who believed that children from working class and poor families should have the same educational advantages as children from families with money. -
Progressive Schools
Progressive schools have been around since the early 1900's. Some educators think that progressives are rebels against traditional rote learning. The progressive educators like to think of themselves as reformers. The truth is somewhere in the middle. -
5 Clues That It Might Not Really Be Montessori School
Of the approximately 8,000 Montessori schools in the U.S. only 1,100 schools are members of the American Montessori Society. Does this matter? What else should you look for to determine if a Montessori school is the real thing? -
International Schools
Sending your children to an international school might make sense if you plan on being in the U.S. only for a few years. -
Lab Schools
What is a lab school? It's a K-12 school or school with some variation of those grades which is operated by a university or college. -
Military Schools
Military schools offer structure and discipline as well as a top-notch education. -
Montessori Schools
Montessori schools are popular world-wide with parents of children in the primary grades. -
The Oldest Schools
The oldest American private school is Collegiate School in Manhattan founded in 1628. -
Religious Schools
Religion is important to you. You want your children to be educated in a school where your religion matters. -
Schools For The Arts
Schools for the artistically gifted child are in short supply. -
The PG Year
A PG or Post Graduate year offers time to mature and time to perfect a sport or other interests. -
Special Needs Schools
Do you think your son has a learning disability? Not sure what to do? A special needs school might be the way to go. -
Waldorf Schools
Waldorf schools offer a well thought out approach to K-12 education.
Locations
Schools in major cities
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Boston Area Schools
The metropolitan Boston area offers a wide range of academic and cultural activities. Just as impressive is the area's selection of private schools. -
Litchfield County Schools
Litchfield County, Connecticut, is home to a couple of dozen excellent schools catering to just about every need. The setting about 90 miles north of New York City is convenient to one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. -
Seattle Area Schools
The Seattle area is home to many fine private schools as well as to Microsoft and Boeing.
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