Original Source: High School in the USA: How much does it cost and how to study
What is High School in the USA?
High School in the USA is equivalent to high school in Brazil, with the difference that it lasts for four years, covering the 9th grade of middle school to the 12th grade of high school. Each grade level has a classification:
– Freshman: 9th grade
– Sophomore: 10th grade
– Junior: 11th grade
– Senior: 12th grade.
This is not the only difference between the American and Brazilian educational systems. Here are some more characteristics and curiosities.
How does American High School work?
The school year in the USA begins after summer vacation, known as “summer break,” which takes place during the winter period in the southern hemisphere. Classes start just before the American autumn, our spring, between August and September, and last for about nine months, until May or June of the following year.
Throughout the year, there are several breaks:
– Spring Break: typically lasts for two weeks, between March and April
– Winter Break: two to three weeks, starting from Christmas Eve.
Each school day has an average duration of seven hours, with class periods of 45 to 90 minutes. “Class periods” start between 7am and 9am and end between 2pm and 4pm, with a lunch break, and most schools have a cafeteria. Extracurricular activities after school are offered and encouraged, such as language clubs, theater, music, science projects, school newspapers, different clubs like chess or debate, volunteering, and sports.
Sports are highly encouraged, and schools have teams in various sports, participating in championships. Many students get athletic scholarships for their performance in sports. Although they do not contribute credits towards high school graduation, extracurricular activities are an important differentiating factor when applying for universities.
The grading system is also different, with student performance measured through a combination of factors:
– Grades: based on test scores, assignments, individual or group projects.
– Performance: average of how much progress the student should make based on their previous achievements and the growth they have shown so far.
The GPA (Grade Point Average) equates to the overall academic record, combining all the grades and the average performance throughout a student’s school life. This GPA has a significant impact when applying for universities.
Lastly, an important difference between high school in Brazil and High School in the USA is how the curriculum is structured, as there are mandatory and elective courses.
Subjects in High School in the USA
In addition to mandatory subjects, there is a wide variety of elective courses. This means that students can customize their curriculum by adding subjects of their interest and relevant to their skills, focusing on what they wish to develop or study in college. Mandatory subjects usually include English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Most schools and states require the teaching of Arts, Physical Education, Foreign Language, and Health. The elective subjects represent a broad universe, with over 300 options, which enriches the High School experience and strengthens education. They can be related to mandatory subjects, such as business mathematics, creative writing, or public speaking, or be focused on specific skills, such as photography, woodworking, or music.
How many years does it take to graduate from High School in the USA?
In general, students enter High School in the USA around the age of 14 and graduate at the age of 17 or 18. It takes four years to complete American high school.
How to study in High School in the USA
International students can attend a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), but they need to have the appropriate visa. Below, find out how to apply, the average costs, if it is possible to study for free, and how to get a scholarship.
Are there High Schools for Brazilians in the USA?
Brazilian students with a non-immigrant visa, usually F or J, can attend High School in the USA, but they need to meet certain conditions to be accepted into a school. They must be between 14 and 18 years old, have good academic performance and high grades in all subjects in previous years, proficiency in English, be prepared to face challenges and adapt to American culture and customs. Each school has its own requirements and criteria. With an F1 visa, students can attend public schools for up to 12 months, but they can continue their High School education in private schools.
How much does it cost to attend High School in the USA?
Public schools are free for American students, but international students have to pay a fee, which can range from $3,000 to $10,000 per year. Private schools are more expensive, and costs vary depending on the state, city, municipality, and institution, ranging from $16,000 to $33,000. This does not include expenses for books, uniforms, and other materials.
Is it possible to attend High School in the USA for free?
Public schools are financed by tax revenues for Americans and permanent residents, but international students must compensate the taxpayers by paying the total per capita cost for the school year. There is a way to study for free or with some subsidy, which is by obtaining a full or partial scholarship, as we will see below.
How to get a scholarship for High School?
Many NGOs, foundations, and scholarship programs encourage cultural diversity in educational institutions. Private schools also offer scholarships for international students to bring different cultures and customs to the academic environment. Keep an eye on the websites of schools accredited by the SEVP and EducationUSA, a network of the US Department of State, as well as institutions like Rotary, Fulbright, and United World Colleges (UWC).
Is it worth attending High School in the USA?
By attending High School in the USA, international students have the opportunity to experience a new culture, improve their English skills, and gain new perspectives, expanding their worldview. During this experience, young people develop various skills such as leadership, responsibility, autonomy, and teamwork. They also expand their network, making friends with American classmates and possibly students from other countries, which can become a professional network in the future.
Especially for those planning to attend a university in the United States, going through High School in the USA is an excellent way to prepare academically and socially, with a greater understanding of the country’s cultural norms and habits. Additionally, studying in an American school better prepares students for the university application process there. As explained earlier, schools work with a system of mandatory and elective courses and offer a wide variety of activities that better fit the interests and skills of each student while focusing on academic excellence.
Furthermore, many schools have advanced or college-level programs to prepare students for college, in addition to advanced resources and qualified teachers. Finally, the evaluation system directly relates to the university admissions process, taking into account the student’s GPA. Even if the intention is to only attend High School in the USA and return to Brazil to earn a college degree at home, this experience will certainly make your resume more attractive when it comes time to seek professional opportunities.
What visa is needed to study High School in the USA?
There are three visas for students: F-1, M-1, and J-1, and each has specific requirements and purposes. While the M-1 visa is for those studying at vocational schools, the J-1 visa is issued for participants in exchange programs, and the F-1 visa is for academic programs. If the student is going to attend High School in the USA as part of a cultural exchange program, they should apply for the J-1 visa. If the intention is to study high school outside of an exchange program, regardless of studying for one year in a public school or one year or more in a private school, they should apply for an F-1 visa.
How to obtain a visa to study in the USA?
Both the J-1 and F-1 visas fall under the non-immigrant category, meaning they are temporary and require the foreign student to leave the USA after their period of authorized stay ends. To apply for these visas, the student needs to be accepted into a school or exchange program, as well as go through a consular process. Here is the step-by-step process:
1. Acceptance into an institution or program
Before starting the consular process, you need to be accepted into a school or exchange program to study High School in the USA. Once you have been accepted, the school will provide you with Form I-20 (for student visa) or DS-2019 (for an exchange program). You need this document to proceed with your visa application.
2. SEVIS registration
Every foreigner seeking a visa to study in the USA must register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This includes providing information and paying a fee, which varies depending on the type of student visa.
3. Consular process
Now you can start the consular process, which includes:
– Completing the DS-160 form on the Consular Electronic Application Center website
– Registering on the Visa Applicant Service Center (VASC) website
– Paying the visa application fee, known as the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee
– Scheduling an interview and biometric data collection appointment
– Attending the appointments with the required documentation.
If you want to immigrate to the USA and don’t know where to start, download the practical and comprehensive immigration guide from Brasil Unidos. With it, you will find a lot of information about visas, life in the USA, and much more!
The article “High School in the USA: How much does it cost and how to study” first appeared on Brasil Unidos.
