Immersion in a Boarding School in the United States
What is a Boarding School?
A boarding school is a high school that offers students on-campus residential accommodation, access to all the school’s facilities and organised activities every day. Boarding school is an experience in itself, for both American and international students.
Our unique programme enables motivated participants, aged between 14 and 18, to fully integrate into American high school life, live with American students of their own age on campus and make lifelong friendships.
Our programme is offered at exceptional rates, thanks to the study grants we receive through our partner. The opportunity to live on a campus with other students is now accessible to smaller budgets (excluding scholarships, a boarding school programme costs 40 to 60% more).
Why study at a boarding school?
- Take part in the life of an American high school and live on a campus with American and international students
- Excellent academic standards and facilities
- A safe and reassuring environment
- A structured study environment
- Extra-curricular activities every day
- Learning to live together
- A guaranteed placement
- Individual support and supervision
- Integration made easier by campus life
- The option of a High School diploma for students in their final year (Grade 12)
- More flexible enrolment deadlines than for a traditional host family programme
- 24-hour supervision and support
- Very competitive prices: a Boarding School programme at prices comparable to those of a homestay programme
What students say…
“I have not regretted going to a Boarding School rather than living with a host family, because it turns out to be a truly wonderful experience
“Living in the dorm is really beautiful, you can always have someone to talk with and it’s easier make new friends because you always spend time with the ones who live with you
“Living on a campus has many comforts: the proximity to the school and the fact that thanks to that, we do not have to wake up early, and being in the same complex as the school we are easily able to participate in all the activities.”
“I think living in a dormitory is one of the most beautiful things I have ever done. There is never a moment when you feel alone, you always have someone to spend your moments with.”
The boarding school is selected by our partner, and placements must be made in schools specifically offering these scholarships. Our partner selects the boarding school according to your profile and availability.
Students of the right age and level to enter Grade 12 can obtain a High School Diploma. This must be indicated on the Student Application. This option is subject to a supplement (see dates and prices).
Our boarding schools are located all over the United States. However, students taking part in this programme are generally placed in the following states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Minnesota, etc. Our partner has been working with a large number of boarding schools for many years. In agreement with our partner, these boarding schools offer grants to foreign students during certain periods and under certain conditions. In order to offer exceptional prices (a boarding school programme generally costs between $35,000 and $65,000 USD per academic year), we place you in a boarding school that offers this type of grant to foreign students (up to 40 to 60% of the tuition fees). So you can’t choose your school.
You attend a local private high school. In the United States, we don’t operate by class but by year and by level. This means that your course is individualised. The level at which you study may differ from one subject to another, depending on your level in the chosen subject and your level of English. For example, you could take maths in 11th grade and history in 10th grade.
there are 3 compulsory subjects: English, Maths and History. Some schools also require science. If you choose to take the Diplôme de fin d’études (for Grade 12 students only), you will also have to take other compulsory subjects.
Classes are held in the mornings, with the afternoons devoted to extra-curricular activities.
In most American schools, the choice of subjects is vast and varied: Calculus, Science, Physics, Biology, Foreign Language, Psychology, Sociology, Literature, Drama, Pottery, Journalism, Speech, Media, Computing..
This is a unique opportunity to discover new fields or improve your skills in a subject you love. Some courses run for a whole semester, so you can change options in the middle of the year if you wish.
At a boarding school, the study environment is structured : it’s easier to do your homework when everyone around you is doing it too! This environment encourages a lot of application and individual and group work. The teachers are also available to provide teaching support when students need it. There’s no better way to learn and progress than in an environment conducive to study.
The choice of extra-curricular activities is just as wide: Football, Baseball, Tennis, Field & Track, Basketball, Charity club, Student council, School band, Debate club, Speech club, Year book, etc. These activities provide an opportunity to make friends and discover American culture.
Campus life is reassuring, allowing you to do everything in the same place: attend classes, study in the library, take up a sport, discover a musical or artistic activity, do your homework, eat, sleep, make friends… all under the benevolent supervision of the school staff and teachers.
Weekend activities are also organised off-campus: volunteering for Community Service projects, a variety of fun activities, shopping, cinema, excursions to local sites of interest, a weekend with a boarding school friend’s family…. So many opportunities to discover American culture.
A typical day (for guidance only) :
Schooling in the United States lasts 12 years, as it does in Europe: the High School covers the last 4 years of secondary school, from 9th grade to 12th grade. However, the school system and the way it works are very different from ours. We don’t operate by class, but by year and by level. The curriculum is therefore individualised. Students take each course at the level that corresponds to their level in that subject and their level of English.
There is no government-imposed syllabus, which is defined locally. Students take 4/5 subjects per semester. The choice of subjects is generally wide and varied: US history, English, Maths, Sciences, Debating, Speech, Pottery, Cooking, etc.
Classes start early in the morning (7.30am/8.00pm) and finish around 3pm, with the rest of the afternoon devoted to extra-curricular activities. The school year starts between early August and mid-September, depending on the school.
Halls of residence vary from campus to campus, but generally consist of mini-apartments with one or more single or shared bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Others still operate on a dormitory system, with single or shared rooms and bathrooms upstairs. Most of the time, residences are on campus, but they can also be off campus. In this case, transport is organised by the school.
A ‘dorm parent ‘ lives on campus and provides students with the security and support they need.
The campuses are always very well equipped and offer an extremely safe environment. They have a wide range of sports facilities, an auditorium, workshops, clubs, shops, a library, computer and language laboratories, and a cafeteria serving meals that are usually prepared on site using fresh produce.
During the school holidays, most residences close (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring break). International students generally choose to stay with an American friend or take the opportunity to travel (please note: an adult must be present). Some boarding schools also offer accommodation with a host family at an additional cost. In the latter case, it is important to inform the “dorm parent” at least 4 weeks in advance.
The local correspondent is an experienced person who knows the schools and stays in regular contact with the students throughout their stay. He or she organises regular meetings and ensures that the stay runs smoothly. As they are able to act quickly in the event of a problem, they remain your first point of contact on site.
The local correspondents work closely with our partner in the United States and have been looking after foreign students for many years. They know how to react quickly and effectively if the need arises.
Before you leave
To ensure that your stay goes as smoothly as possible and that you are informed about the different elements of the programme, we organise an information meeting before departure, which it is important to attend.
It is organised by Langues Vivantes in Brussels in June. It provides an opportunity to discuss the various aspects of the programme (the school, cultural differences, programme rules, etc.) as well as all the practical issues (travel, luggage, insurance, etc.).
If you don’t live in Belgium, we can organise a meeting at our offices in Paris or, if necessary, an online meeting to explain all the steps you need to take to ensure your stay goes as smoothly as possible.
On arrival
A few days after your arrival, the local coordinator will organise an orientation meeting for all the students for whom he or she is responsible.
Dates 2024 – 2025
School year: August* to June (varies by school)
*The dates for the start of the school year are set by the schools and can run from the end of July to mid-September. The dates of the stay are therefore fixed once the participant has received his/her placement.
Fares with flights subject to ticket prices at the time of booking
Prices 2024 – 2025
| Tuition, accommodation and meals, registration fees and transfers included | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program duration | Price WITHOUT flight | Price WITH flight* |
| School year | € 19.995 | € 21.895 |
| Supplement for obtaining a High school Diploma (Grade 12 students) | € 3.150 | - |
| *Return flight departing from Brussels or Paris | ||
Our prices include
- English language test and pre-application interview
- All documents required to obtain the F1 visa
- Boarding School registration formalities for one academic year
- Accommodation in residence, shared or private room, meals
- Assistance, support and follow-up throughout the stay
- Medical and assistance insurance
- Regular contact and evaluation reports
- Official certificate of attendance with transcript of marks for courses taken, depending on destination
- Return transfer from the designated airport to the campus
- Return flight, if chosen, from Brussels or Paris
Our prices do not include
- Visa fees (approximately USD 535)
- A sum to cover miscellaneous expenses (supplies, books, activities, excursions, meals, etc.) USD 3,000 for the school year
- Optional insurance
- Return travel to the designated airport, depending on the option chosen
- Refundable accommodation deposit (up to USD 500), if applicable
- American diploma (optional for eligible students)
- Any additional costs associated with Covid (e.g. quarantine, tests, etc.)
Similar programmes
High School in the United States – Classic – 1 semester to 1 school year
