Program
The Solebury School English Foundations Program is a one year immersion program designed for 9th graders to develop initial competency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. This program includes:
Intensive, individualized class instruction focusing on the language and culture
Living in an all English speaking environment
Mainstream math, computer, visual arts & music classes
Instruction in how to develop independence and establish and maintain peer relations
Encouragement to express their ideas and opinions openly, thereby instilling confidence in preparation for leadership positions in the future.
ESL Courses
Students will have four classes per day of intensive English: Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Application, Writing, Grammar, and Communications. The fundamentals of the language would be taught through TPR (Total Physical Response) and specific ESL texts. Skills would focus on:
Vocabulary development
Reading Comprehension and Analysis
Pronunciation
Study and organizational skills
Listening and Communication Tasks
Grammar and Punctuation as applied to narrative writing
General Academics
Additional Activities
Students will participate in the daily life of the Solebury School community. They will have many opportunities to interact with American students. They would participate in:
Student Evaluation
Accommodations
Students live on campus in a faculty-supervised dormitory, each equipped with a kitchen, wireless internet, lounges and computer facilities for student use and recreation. Students typically live two to a room and share a bathroom.
Dates
School calendar for the academic year 2010-11 will be determined in January. The school year generally runs from early September through early June.
Cost
Boarding Tuition | $39,950 |
ESL Program Fee | $10,250 |
General Deposit: books, health insurance | $2,400 |
Application Fee | $100 |
(2010-11 tuition will be determined at the end of January Board of Trustees Meeting)
What determines the level of the ESL program a student is placed?
The first indicator used is a student's test scores. For the Foundations program and for our Level 1 students, a SLEP score is sufficient. For students seeking placement in Level 2 or 3, a TOEFL or IELTS score is required. Our goal when placing students is to ensure that we are able to give them the best opportunity possible to be successful during their years here, as well as the best chance to present themselves to top colleges as a strong candidate when they are ready to leave Solebury School. Our students in the various levels generally fall into the following score ranges:
| ESL Foundations. | SLEP score below the 75th percentile |
| ESL Level 1 | SLEP score above the 75th percentile |
| ESL Level 2 | TOEFL score between 68 and 88
(IBT) or IELTS equivalent |
| ESL Level 3 | TOEFL score between 88 and 100
(IBT) or IELTS equivalent |
| No ESL needed | TOEFL score of 100
(IBT) or above or IELTS equivalent |
That being said, a student's placement is not solely dependent on their test scores. In determining what course of study is most likely to ensure short and long term success for a student, the admissions committee will also examine factors such as whether a student has previosly studied in the United States, a student's previous coursework (particularly in literature and writing), how successful they have been academically as demonstrated by their transcript and recommendations, and the verbal abilities demonstrated in their interview.
Requirements for Admission
A minimum of two years of English.
Students must live in a dormitory on campus for full integration into the culture.
Students must submit the following:
a recent SLEP
Solebury's application
Solebury's Preliminary Health Report
Reports from the current school administrator, English and math teachers translated into English
An on campus interview or Skype/phone interview are required once all the above forms have been submitted.
Students must commit to a full year of the Foundations and may not be switched to another ESL Level mid-year.
Application Due Date is February 1, 2010
Enrollment is limited. Applications will be accepted after this date as long as space is available. Candidates will receive a response regarding admission by March 10.
Prior to the Foundations Program?
Solebury School's summer program is a six week, full filled American academic and cultural experience. Students improve their English in a short immersion program, which helps prepare them for boardhing school life and/or future schooling in America.
- Solebury's six week Summer ESL Program
(Monday, July 6 - Friday, August 13, 2010)
What Follows the Foundations Program?
By the end of the year, students in the program will have adjusted to the community and become proficient enough in the language to begin the first of three levels of Solebury’s English as a Second Language Program the following September. Students successfully completing the Foundations Program would be issued a contract to enter Solebury’s Level 1 ESL the following year, taking ESL Geography, ESL Basic Skills, ESL Introduction to Physical Science, and ESL Communications.
If the student is planning September entrance into a high school (either Solebury or another School), we can also suggest: