What are the British Schools of America?
What is the BSA curriculum?
How do the British Schools differ from other American schools?
Who are the students?
Do you accept children who do not speak English or do not speak English fluently?
Do you teach "British English" or "American English"?
Is there a dress code or uniform requirement?
What is the deadline for enrolment applications?
How do you handle admissions of students from varying educational backgrounds?
How do students transition to other American schools?
How are students prepared for University?
How many British Schools are in the United States?
What are the British Schools of America?
Founded and headquartered in Washington, D.C., BSA opened its first school in 1998 and currently operates five international schools in the United States. BSA, along with Fieldwork Education, Ltd (comprised of Fieldwork Education Services and the International Primary Curriculum) and Compass International, LLC (which operates the Compass International School in Doha, Qatar), is a division of UK-based WCL Group. The BSA central office provides structure and support to the schools and strives to inspire world class learning.
What is the BSA curriculum?
BSA Schools offer a high-quality British-style of education that is consistent across its schools and prepares students to meet the growing challenges of a rapidly changing world. Students benefit from an academic programme based on a unique combination of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), the UK National Curriculum and the highly respected International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). The combination of these distinctive curricula provides a comprehensive, international programme of study which aims to equip every student with the essential skills for lifelong learning and meet individual learning needs. The schools encourage independence and self-discipline in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation of diverse opinions and cultures. BSA's curriculum determines the precise content that will be taught and provides attainment targets for student learning, including how that performance will be assessed and reported. The BSA programme gives teachers, students and parents a clear and shared understanding of the skills and knowledge that children will gain at school.
How do the British Schools differ from other American schools?
BSA Schools offer academically challenging, differentiated, international education to children.
The programme is academic from the earliest years, so children are introduced to reading, writing and mathematic concepts at an earlier age than in most American schools. Many of BSA’s youngest students tend to be academically more advanced than their peers at American schools.
Unlike many American schools which stream children based on ability level, students at BSA schools receive differentiated instruction in all of their lessons. All BSA teachers are trained to respond to a variety of learning styles and are experienced in dealing with varying levels of aptitude. In this way, teaching and learning within the classroom is differentiated so that every level of ability can receive the support, encouragement and extension work necessary for optimum progress.
Internationalism means not just providing international content in the curriculum, but also benchmarking teaching, learning and assessment to international standards and exploring diversity within the school community thereby preparing students to be contributing global citizens.
Who are the students?
While student enrolment varies from school to school, BSA schools have a very diverse population of students from all over the world. BSA is open to children of all nationalities, educational and economic backgrounds. BSA ensures each child reaches his or her maximum potential, regardless of his or her previous educational background. BSA educates more than 2,000 students from over 60 countries, with American and British students making up approximately one third each of the total student body.
Do you accept children who do not speak English or do not speak English fluently?
Yes, as long as children are able to make themselves understood. During the evaluation process, the BSA schools assess each prospective student's ability to access the curriculum, including language ability. In general, BSA schools only accept children with limited English abilities at the very youngest years, but many students in school are those whose native language is not English.
Do you teach "British English" or "American English"?
Both. Many of the teaching materials are British but American resources are used across the schools so that students are introduced to the differences in both language and spelling. At the youngest ages, this is part of their introduction to the international world. BSA students are taught to be consistent in their spelling.
Is there a dress code or uniform requirement?
Yes, each school has a school uniform for students up to Year 11. School uniforms eliminate distractions from the classroom so the focus can be on learning. Students in Years 12 and 13 who are working towards the International Baccalaureate Diploma have a dress code rather than a uniform. This is a privilege which is granted to encourage independence of thought and action and to develop an understanding of appropriate choice in a given context. Whilst students in the Sixth Form have the right to dress as individuals, they must appreciate their responsibility for the reputation of the school and for setting good examples to younger members of the community.
What is the deadline for enrolment applications?
Because of such an international student body and students that relocate throughout the year, BSA has an open enrolment policy and accepts applications throughout the academic year as long as space is available. The majority of students begin at the beginning of the academic year, but BSA schools are able to admit children as and when a space is available throughout the year.
How do you handle admissions of students from varying educational backgrounds?
All children are assessed prior to entry. If it is found that a child has gaps in his or her learning, the student's programme is tailored to give extra support. Occasionally a student will be required to obtain additional external support if there are gaps that the school cannot accommodate. Because all lessons are differentiated by ability, BSA schools are able to easily accommodate varieties in ability and knowledge. BSA's curriculum encourages exploration of student background as a starting point for many lessons so diversity is definitely an advantage.
How do students transition to other American schools?
Students that have attended BSA schools tend to have a love of learning that serves them well at other schools. Students are often academically ahead of their peers, particularly at the younger years. BSA schools are accommodating and can help students if it is necessary to transition to an American school.
How are students prepared for University?
All students in Years 12 and 13 take courses leading to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Some students will work towards certificates in individual subjects and some will work towards the full diploma. All students have access to the demanding curriculum of the IBDP. The IBDP is a challenging two-year curriculum which leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world's leading universities. The IBDP prepares students for university by encouraging them to ask challenging questions, to develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture and to develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures. Each school works individually with IBDP students to develop individualised university application plans to ensure that students can continue their learning beyond their BSA school.
How many British Schools are in the United States?
Currently, there are British Schools in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston and Washington, D.C. The number of schools is expected to grow to 20 as BSA expands into major cities throughout the United States within the next decade.