Aquinas High SchoolLarge enough to challenge, small enough to care
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We had over 25 international students on our campus for the 2013-2014 school year. This year, students come from Taiwan, China and Mexico. They attend classes with the American students in our high school.
We do have an English Second Language program for our international students. Because our international students are mixed in with our American students in all the college preparatory classes, each student accepted into Aquinas is expected to demonstrate strong abilities in written and spoken English. There is a ESL class available to new students as they adjust to the school, and a summer program of intense study in the English language.
We highly recommend entering our school in grades 9, 10 or 11. However, we evaluate each situation as students apply.
Generally, all international students are accepted to begin only at the start of an academic year—our fall semester (beginning mid-August). Occasionally, we do accept an international student for the spring semester. This depends on space available and the demonstrated ability of the student
The early date to return completed applications, along with the application fee, is February for Priority Consideration. Applications received after February 14, 2014, will also be considered after the Priority Consideration applicants have been evaluated. Again, space available and demonstrated ability of the student will be the prime considerations.
Students must submit the following:
1. Application
2. Copy of the passport will need to be turned in.
3. Letter from parents identifying guardianship in the United States
4. Letter from guardian accepting guardianship
5. Grades from the last school the student attended.
6. Applicants must pay all tuition and fees before I-20 can be given.
7. Shot records need to be up-dated as per Health Dept. requirements for schools.
Tuition and fee schedule available upon request
Fees are refundable if Visa is denied except for the Application Fee and the Registration Fee.
International students must obtain an F-1 visa from their local US Embassy to attend school in the U.S. for more than one year.
Aquinas High School does not board international students or directly place students with host families. Many students stay with friends or relatives in the area. Most students work with agents who manage the homestay arrangement.
While most students who attend our school consider themselves Catholics, we also take students who, along with their parents and guardians, are not Catholics but are very open to learning more about the Catholic religion and its premises. All students are required to take religion classes and to attend services as prescribed by the school. No student is required to become Catholic, but they are asked to be supportive of the activities on campus.
Yes, all international students must have health insurance to attend our school. They may select and purchase their own health plan in their home country if it is recognized in California, they may purchase a plan in California immediately upon arriving. Often this is facilitated through their agent.
We are glad you are interested in Aquinas High School. We want to answer all your questions. Please contact us with any further questions.
Dr. Jim Brennan at [email protected] or 909-886-4659 Ext. 260
As an International Student, your primary purpose is your schooling; therefore you should not be employed.
You may. If you plan to travel, contact Dr. Brennan will inform you of the correct process to follow to do this.
Our graduates are offered millions of dollars in scholarships every year for academics, athletics, and other special talents. The members of the Class of 2013 accepted scholarships and grants worth over 3 million dollars over at colleges and universities across the United States.
Southern California is full of huge high schools with impressive facilities. A quick tour of many of the public or other private schools in the area may reveal beautiful gyms, weight rooms, auditoriums, or labs. It seems only natural that parents would take one look around at the facilities, programs, classes, and activities that a huge school has and think, “That’s what we want for our child.”
For smaller Catholic schools like Aquinas High School, it can be nearly impossible to compete on all levels with the endless streams of resources that some schools, especially public schools, have. So in the face of that kind of competition, why would anyone choose a smaller, Catholic school? The answer is because Aquinas provides advantages that a larger school can’t:
• Students are less likely to get lost in the shuffle. In our smaller school, teachers and administrators will know their students. That kind of intimacy is often key in the academic and spiritual development of your son or daughter. LHSN is dedicated to making connections with all students. Relationships, not facilities, are what make a school excellent.
• Class sizes are smaller. While class size is often overrated (the skill of the teacher is far more important), your son or daughter will not just be “a number” at Aquinas.
• Opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities are greater at a smaller school. Simple math dictates that your son or daughter’s odds of “making a team” or “getting a part” are better if they are competing against fewer people. A typical Aquinas student takes advantage of this unique situation and is involved in many different activities during his/her time at Aquinas. And while the national average for the number of students being involved on one or more sports teams at a given high school is 28%, at Aquinas about 67% of our students compete on one or more of our athletic teams each year.
• We are a family. At Aquinas, students, parents, and teachers feel as if they are part of a community in which they can take pride and have input. People know each other, and relationships become the foundation for the excellence of the school – not facilities and programs alone.
• Aquinas has quality, well maintained facilities and programs led by talented, caring staff.