International Students
Goal of the Program
Manlius Pebble Hill School (MPH) has a long history of welcoming students from around the globe and has recently hosted students from China, Korea, Africa, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and India. The goal of the international program at MPH is to provide Upper School students (Grades 9-12) from other countries with an experience that will increase their knowledge of the English language, along with an understanding of American culture.
The program will expose students to a variety of American experiences, lifestyles, and priorities. Our program is not a boarding school model, but is a family-centered, cultural immersion program imbedded in an academically rigorous curriculum. Students will need to be prepared to become part of their host family, adapting to the lifestyle and expectations of that household, while maintaining the full course load appropriate for a college bound student.
Students in our program will be challenged academically and will leave our School well prepared for study at an American college or university. Students will also leave our program with a strong understanding of American culture and the arts. They will have many opportunities to pursue interests in the performing arts or in the fine arts as well as participate in a wide array of sports and other extracurricular activities. Host families will support this involvement and make accommodations so that students can have a full MPH experience.
The dual nature of our program (academic and cultural) makes it a unique and fulfilling experience which will broaden students’ horizons and set them up to be successful. They will learn how to navigate cross-cultural situations, advocating for themselves while honoring and respecting the traditions and values of others.
Application Procedures
Application and Fee – To begin the admission process, prospective families must complete the MPH application and submit a $50 fee. The application can be submitted online or downloaded and mailed.
School Records – Please submit the grade reports for both the current year and the two previous years of education. All reports must be translated in English.
Teacher Recommendations – Three academic recommendations are required: one from the applicant’s current MATH teacher with a description of the specific math concepts covered, the current ENGLISH teacher and, PERSONAL recommendation from a school counselor, extracurricular supervisor or school principal. These forms can be downloaded from the website.
English Requirements – International applicants must be fluent in English, with good command of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. If a student is accepted to our program, and upon arrival the English skills are found to be insufficient for him/her to take a full load of academic courses, an additional year might be necessary to complete before graduation.
TOEFL – All non-native English speaking applicants are required to submit a TOEFL score. For more information about the TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT), please visit www.ets.org. The TOEFL code for MPH is: 333025.
Student Interview - Once the applicant’s admission file is complete, the Admission Director will arrange an interview via Skype. Interviews generally take approximately 20-30 minutes.
Decisions - Admission decisions are made on a space available basis beginning in April for the following school year that begins in September. We do not accept students for January semester, nor do we accept students for their senior year. Students are admitted based on their English proficiency, their academic record, the space available in the grade to which they apply, and the availability of host families.
Visa Process – A student’s admission is confirmed by the return of all the enrollment paperwork, including the contract, health forms and immunization record. The tuition and fees must be paid in full before the School will issue the I-20 form. The I-20 form must be taken to the American Consulate in the student’s home country in order to apply for an F-1 student visa. Should a student be unable to obtain a visa, MPH will refund the full amount of tuition and fees.
Additional Information
Arrival and Departure
International students are expected to arrive in Syracuse a week before the first day of school. Each year, the travel plans should be communicated to the Admission Office by August 1st so that the host family can be given the student’s flight arrangements. The host family will meet the student at the airport. The student should plan to return home after the end-of-year ceremonies in June.
Host Family
The student will live with a host family; usually one who has children attending MPH. The host family will provide for the student in their home the following: food, normal household amenities, and a bedroom of his/her own. They also will provide, or arrange for, transportation to and from school each day, and to various school events. It should be noted that the student is expected to adapt to the conventions and rules held by the host family’s household. The boarding fee is paid to the School, along with tuition. The School will pay the host family the boarding fee in two installments during the year.
Finances
The student will assume the cost of transportation to, from, and within the United States. The student should be prepared to pay for such things as school trips, materials for class, gifts, clothing, personal items, travel, entertainment, etc. It is not expected that the host family will provide any expense other than housing, regular meals, and transportation to school and school functions. While the host family is under no obligation to provide the student with travel experiences, the host family is expected to include the student in local family activities.
Health Insurance
MPH requires that the student have health/medical insurance coverage before entering the country. This insurance is in addition to the coverage provided by MPH for its school day or school-sponsored travel activities. The Admission Office can provide you with information about insurance plans for international students.
English Language Learner (ELL) Class
All new international students will participate in an English Language Learner (ELL) course (1 credit). The course focuses on improving skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing English, but it is not intended to be a remedial English language program. The ELL class supports other academic courses in a positive manner. Students will remain in ELL until it is determined her/his language proficiency is good enough for Upper School course work. Due to the nature of our ELL program, students must be fluent in the English language before attending MPH.
Tuition and Fees - 2012/2013 Academic Year
|
|
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
|
Tuition |
$17,335.00 |
$18,096.00 |
$18,512.00 |
$18,779.00 |
|
School Fees* |
920.00 |
945.00 |
995.00 |
995.00 |
|
Lunch |
700.00 |
700.00 |
700.00 |
700.00 |
|
Accident Insurance |
50.00 |
50.00 |
50.00 |
50.00 |
|
International Student Fee |
2,000.00 |
2,000.00 |
2,000.00 |
2,000.00 |
|
New Student Deposit (refundable) |
500.00 |
500.00 |
500.00 |
500.00 |
|
Total without Hosting |
$21,505.00 |
$22,291.00 |
$22,757.00 |
$23,024.00 |
|
Hosting Fee |
9000.00 |
9000.00 |
9000.00 |
9000.00 |
|
Total with Hosting |
$30,505.00 |
$31,291.00 |
$31,757.00 |
$32,024.00 |
* School Fees include books, technology and infrastructure fees.
