British School of Chicago
The British School of Chicago is a private college preparatory day school in the US. The school offers a personalized approach to learning for children from three to 18 years old, from Pre-K to Grade 12. It aims to develop lifelong learners and problem-solvers who are prepared to tackle real-life challenges in the vibrant community of over 700 students representing 41 nationalities.
The British School of Chicago collaborates with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Juilliard School, and UNICEF. As a member of Nord Anglia Education, students also benefit from a unique global learning experience. But before discussing the school program for international students, it may be interesting to learn more about its location.
Location of the British School of Chicago
Illinois is the Midwestern state of the US and the Great Lakes region. It borders Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, and Lake Michigan. The total area of the state is 149,997 km2, and the total population is 12,812,508 residents. Springfield is the capital of Illinois, but Chicago is the largest city in the state and the third largest city in the country. In the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area, also called Chicagoland, 75% of the state’s population live.
Chicago is an international hub for commerce, industry, finance, telecommunications, transportation, technology, education, culture, and tourism. Every year, about 50 million tourists visit the city. Popular destinations of Chicago are Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute of Chicago, Grant Park, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Lincoln Park Zoo. The city is also the home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Hence, international students have a chance to visit these places during their studies at the British School of Chicago.
School’s Facilities
The British School of Chicago covers a 9,104 m2 space in the South Loop area of Chicago. In their free time, international students can enjoy the beautiful green surroundings, find interesting books in two spacious libraries, or hang out with friends in the university-style cafeteria. The school even has a spacious rooftop park with views over Chicago.
The British School of Chicago has an 836 m2 gymnasium, fitness studio, weight room, and outdoor soccer field. If students enjoy a particular sport, there is an extensive extracurricular offering that allows students to play as part of a team. The three main sports of the British School of Chicago are basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
Theory, creation, and performance are the elements that form the basis of the Performing Arts courses throughout the British School of Chicago and provide a strong foundation for students to access courses at a high level. Supported by the collaboration with Juilliard, students take part in special concept-based lessons in music, dance, and drama. The school also has a strong extracurricular program that allows students to explore their interests, including one-to-one music instruction, orchestra, choir, and competitive dance team.
Overview of the Programs
The British School of Chicago offers small class sizes of up to 15 students, where teachers know every student and can respond to the student’s strengths and adapt the learning model to help them overcome challenges. Also, teachers personalize learning for each student to help them understand their learning goals and recognize the strategies that help them learn best.
The collaboration with MIT also aims to develop great thinkers and innovators by offering students an introduction to interdisciplinary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) learning. The program helps international students solve multifaceted challenges through university-inspired learning and hands-on activities. Moreover, teachers give students the space to embrace collaboration and creativity and to develop the skills they need to thrive in the fast-changing world.
In preschool through Grade 5, the British School of Chicago uses the English National Curriculum along with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). From Grade 6 to Grade 8, students focus on the English National Curriculum. International students who study in Grades 9 and 10 follow the International General Certificate of Secondary Studies (IGCSE). At Grades 11 and 12, students study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Since the British School of Chicago predominantly welcomes international students who pursue high school education, it is worth discussing the high school curriculum in more detail. With college on the horizon, the IGCSE allows students to demonstrate their independence and tailor their learning according to their interests and aspirations. In Grades 9 and 10, international students can organize their learning program by selecting various elective classes. In addition to the program of core learning, the British School of Chicago offers students one elective from the World Languages group, one option from the Social Science group, and one of the three Pathways.
Upon completion of this two-year program, students develop skills in creative thinking, inquiry, and problem-solving. Teachers continue applying a personalized approach to instruction, ensuring that each student steps outside of their comfort zone and achieves beyond what they have thought possible.
In Grade 9 of the British School of Chicago, international students meet with the college counselor to discuss course selections and career interests. The college counselor plays a key role in developing a long-term, individualized plan for the college admission of each student.
It is common knowledge that the IBDP is the gold standard in education respected by the world’s top colleges and universities. It is designed to prepare students for college studies and help them unlock their full potential. The IB Programme at the British School of Chicago is a challenging course that includes six core subjects.
In Grades 11 and 12, students engage in the college planning process and attend the annual College Fair as well as trips to local post-secondary education institutions. International students also continue to meet regularly with college counselors to receive guidance and support with college applications.
After graduation from the British School of Chicago, international students are accepted to the top universities, including Princeton University, the University of Oxford, Stanford University, the University of California, and the University of Pennsylvania, to name a few.
Admission Requirements
International students who want to study at the British School of Chicago should follow this step-by-step admission process.
- Parents ought to book a virtual discovery meeting with the Director of Admissions. They will talk about the study program of the school, learn more about the prospective students, and explain the next application steps.
- Parents and international students need to visit the campus. The admission officer will show them state-of-the-art facilities and introduce them to teachers. It is also possible to schedule a virtual meeting.
- International students should apply to the British School of Chicago and pay the non-refundable application fee of $100. The application deadline is February 1.
- Parents need to provide the Applicant Statement and Information About Your Child provided by the Admissions team. Also, they ought to submit school progress transcripts, English evaluation form, Math evaluation form, Administration evaluation form, and standardized testing scores, such as ISEE, SSAT MAP, or PSAT. International students also need to pass TOEFL.
- Prospective students must schedule a virtual teacher meeting. They will meet with teachers and ask them questions about the program.
Tuition Fees for International Students
To plan finances, parents of international students also should find out the tuition fees at the British School of Chicago. Preschool and Junior Kindergarten cost from $15,050 to $28,500 per year. Kindergarten to Grade 5 costs $32,950 per year. Grades 6 to Grade 8 cost $34,950 per year. Grades 9 and 10 cost $35,150 per year. Grades 11 and 12 cost $36,950 per year.
Additional costs include a one-time non-refundable new student fee of $2,200. It is used for capital and curriculum improvements at the British School of Chicago. Exams after Grade 10 and Grade 12 cost $1,600. Lunches cost $1,800 per year, and educational trips cost about $150.
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