We Welcome Foreign Students
- Are you in search of a boarding school experience in the U.S.?
- Do you want a challenging and engaging educational experience in a safe environment?
Nawa Academy Welcomes You!
Nawa Academy offers a unique educational experience for students from other countries who desire to learn in a safe and challenging college preparatory school. We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and are a member of the Small Boarding Schools Association. We are known for providing a highly individualized and successful educational experience. Our low student to teacher ratio enables faculty to give significant attention to each student. This individualized teaching can be important for international students who are developing their English, or who just need the extra guidance to aid in the transition to a new school and culture.
We emphasize experiential interdisciplinary learning among academic subjects that increases sequential thinking and analysis of diverse information. Students are required to earn 230 units to graduate from Nawa Academy (5 units is equivalent to a one semester course). Through our accreditation, all completed course units are accepted by both prep schools and universities. Please click here to view our curriculum guide.
At Nawa Academy, we are committed to providing each student with a diverse academic experience and an immersion into American culture.
"I spent a year-and-a-half at Nawa Academy where I enhanced my communication skills and my confidence in working with people in different environments. I benefited from the pure American culture and values of my teachers and students." Kobe Gong, China Class of 2007
Reasons Why Students Choose Nawa Academy
- Our respected curriculum and full academic accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Our safe, family-like environment
- Our experienced and qualified faculty
- Our low student-to-faculty ratio
- Our success with students who have varying levels of English proficiency
- Our ability to guide students through the complex process of choosing a university
- Our diverse recreational activities
- The ability to develop academic skills for university acceptance
- The ability to learn advanced research skills and exam writing strategies
- The daily interaction with English speaking students
- Exposure to American universities
The Nawa Academy boarding school experience prepares students to be competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
Commonly Asked Questions of Students and Families from Other Countries
Q. When can I apply?
A. You may apply at any time. The Admissions Department reviews applications as they are received and schedules interviews to be done either by phone or in-person.
Q. Is the TOEFL required?
A. While completion of the TOEFL is not a requirement for admission into Nawa Academy, we do strongly recommend that students complete the TOEFL and submit the results to our Admissions Department for review. We find that the TOEFL is useful to us in assigning academic courses and in maximizing the learning experience for students who speak English as a second language.
Q. What is the minimum level of proficiency that I am expected to have in speaking English?
A. At a minimum, students must be able to converse using basic conversational English. The interview is helpful for us to determine a student‘s ability to speak English. While enrolled at Nawa Academy, these students will continue to develop their skills in speaking conversational English.
Q. What is the minimum level of proficiency that I am expected to have in reading and writing in English?
A. At a minimum, students need to have a basic foundation in reading and writing in English. With this foundation, students will expand their ability to read and write in English. When we receive the completed Application for Admission for non-U.S. Residents, we will review the student essay pages to determine the level of proficiency.
Q. Are you authorized as a school to issue the I-20 Visa?
A. Nawa Academy is approved to accept international students (non-U.S. citizens) through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Additional information regarding United States visa requirements can be obtained through the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Their website is: www.uscis.gov.
Our Admissions Department and our International Program Director are available to assist you with this process.
Q. Can I have the interview process waived and get the I-20 paperwork?
A. No. All students must complete the entire application process, which includes an interview. We will only provide the I-20 paperwork to students who have been accepted to attend Nawa Academy.
Q. How does your college/university counseling department provide guidance?
A. At Nawa Academy, we take an interest in the future of every student. Guidance is provided to students in the areas of SAT examination preparation, assessment of academic strengths and weaknesses, and selecting and applying to colleges and universities. For further information regarding this service, please click here.
Q. What countries have our international students come from?
A. Our international students have come from China, Thailand, Japan, Uruguay, Columbia, Jamaica, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, France and Israel. We look forward to expanding this list.
Q. How do the health services work in the United States?
A. Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in the United States. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full cost of that treatment. Additional information can be obtained through our International Program Director at info@nawa-academy.com or by calling us at 530-359-2215.
Q. What do we need to know regarding medical and travel insurance?
A. International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in the United States. Contact our Admissions Department for additional clarification.
Q. What is life on campus like?
A. Our students are encouraged to participate fully in the recreational and social life on campus. For international students, this is a wonderful opportunity to continue learning how to speak and understand English, while developing close relationships that enhance the boarding school experience. After-school activities include study hall, academic prep time, sports, group games, and activities in the student club. We offer many weekend activities and off-campus trips to areas like San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, Ashland, and Seattle.
Q. What is the campus like?
A. Our campus is located in the foothills of the Trinity Alps National Forest and is about a 35-minute drive from the city of Redding. Our 556-acre campus is surrounded by hills covered with trees. There are several meadows and fields, with a creek that flows through the middle of our campus. While our campus is beautiful, it is rural with a ranch-like appearance. Our campus buildings include cottage units, classrooms, computer lab, science lab, library, student club, fire department, cafeteria, fitness room, student store, laundry room, learning lab, outdoor adventure hut and administrative offices.
Q. What are the cottages like?
A. Our cottages are simple and rustic, but clean and functional. Each cottage unit is a one-story building with three rooms. Most rooms accommodate up to three students. Bathrooms have a shower, sink and toilet. All rooms are laminate flooring and have a heater.
Q. How do your students communicate with their families?
A. We encourage students to maintain positive communication with their families. Students are able to use our school phone system, with a calling card or credit card, to contact family. In addition, students may use our wireless Internet system to maintain contact. And, of course, the mail system is a reliable way to send letters and care packages.
Q. Is there a list of clothing and other items to bring?
A. For a detailed list of clothing and items to bring, click here. If you have any questions about this list, email us at: info@nawa-academy.com or call us at 530-359-2215.
Q. What is the weather like at Nawa Academy?
A. We are located in a Maritime climate. Summers are often hot with temperatures cooling down by late September. During the coldest period of the year (December – January), our temperatures usually have a high of around 50ºF/10ºC and a low of around 28ºF/-2ºC. While it rarely snows on our campus, it can rain for several days at a time during the winter months.
Q. How much spending money will I need for the entire year?
A. Approximately $2,000US should be enough for the school year. The $2,000 covers weekly allowance of $20 and additional spending money for souvenirs and extra activities.
Q. If I do not return home during your holiday breaks, what are my options?
A. The International Program Director is pleased to assist you in finding appropriate lodging during holiday breaks if needed.
Ready to Apply? Follow These Steps:
- Complete our on-line Information Request form by clicking here. Please include all contact information as requested in this form.
- Download and complete our Application for Admission for Non-U.S. Residents.
- Mail the completed Application for Admission to our office:
Nawa Academy
Department of Admissions
17351 Trinity Mountain Road
French Gulch, CA 96033 U.S.A.
– OR –
- Contact us to schedule an interview. This interview may be conducted either in-person or by phone.
- Once these steps have been successfully completed, we will issue the 1-20 Visa.
- Upon acceptance to Nawa Academy, we will send confirmation and the Parent Manual.
- PLEASE, visit our campus online tour. Click here now!
If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions Department at: info@nawa-academy.com.
|
