<p>We are French and live in France.
Our 14 years old boy spent 6 months in an American middle school last year (7th grade).
He is now in Mexico for 6 other months for an exchange.
As he would like to do his high school in the States, we are looking for a prep boarding school for the next year (from 10th grade).
Our main concerns are SSAT and TOEFL tests.
As a non native American, it’s difficult to perform well at SSAT and TOEFL are usually designed for young adults.
We’ve already checked <a href=“http://boarding-schools.findthebest.com/”>http://boarding-schools.findthebest.com/</a> and <a href=“http://www.boardingschoolreview.com”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com</a>.
In most cases, SSAT is mandatory, and it’s difficult for us to know how the selection process is doing.</p>
<p>Many thanks for your help
Best</p>
<p>Most top schools require these tests because their international students take the same classes as the domestic students and require a strong ability with English to succeed. They also participate in the same activities as domestic students outside of class and require a strong English ability there as well. For example, at my kids’ school (Concord), international students regularly have major parts in plays, direct plays, hold leadership positions, etc., the same as the domestic students.</p>
<p>Concord doesn’t require the TOEFL if English is the primary language of instruction at school, so it’s possible you may be able to skip that based on your son’s 6 months in an American school, but you’d have to ask the admissions office (and the SSAT would still be required).</p>
<p>There are schools with English as a second language programs for students with intermediate English skills, so that’s another option if the SSAT/TOEFL don’t work out. For example, Cushing is over 1/3 international; it has an ESL program with two levels of ESL instruction (intermediate and advanced).</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your answer. I’ll check Cushing and similar
best</p>
<p>I’d recommend considering only the schools with ESL program. Do a search in above websites boardingschoolreview.com etc.</p>
<p>Most schools waive TOEFL if the student attended 2 years of school with English instruction. 6 months is probably not enough to get it waived. Have your child take TOEFL and SSAT after a few practice tests, and see where he stands with respect to school medians. Also, if available, have him take SLEP and TOEFL Junior tests and see where he stands. </p>
<p>For the schools without an ESL program, minimum TOEFL score requirement for foreigners is around 90-100 out of 120. Call and check with each school whether they have set minimum scores for TOEFL and SSAT. </p>
<p>There are many wonderful schools with ESL programs.
Some schools with ESL programs are:
Brewster Academy (no set minimum)
George School (min. TOEFL 70)
The Gunnery (minimum TOEFL 70)
Lawrence Academy in MA (no set minimum but around 75)
New Hampton School
Suffield Academy (min. TOEFL 61)
Proctor Academy (advanced ESL only)
Putney School (no set minimum)
Tilton School (min. TOEFL 41)
Worcester Academy in MA
Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania </p>
<p>Thank you very much for your exhaustive answer.</p>
<p>Just an fyi, “native American” in the USA refers to what used to be called American Indians - indigenous tribal groups who were in the USA before the arrival of European settlers.
It might confuse admissions people if you use that term. </p>
<p>You’re right thanks</p>