International Student Program
Course of Study
The Bear Creek School's curriculum is a rigorous college preparatory program. See Curriculum and Upper School Course Requirements. International students at Bear Creek take the same courses as domestic students with the exception being that ESL/ELL may be taken in lieu of a language until the junior year.
All international students are encouraged to take two years of world language (Spanish, French, or Latin) during their Upper School years. In the 2009-2010 school year, international students are offered two language options to satisfy the language graduation requirement: 1) ELL their first year and Latin 1 during their second year; 2) ELL their first year and Spanish or French in consecutive years. International students have one period per day devoted to ELL.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. Scores on the AP exam may be accepted as college credit by many American colleges and universities.
The standard course load is seven classes per semester. The average class size is 18. The Christian worldview is integrated throughout all subjects.
Athletics
Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country, Volleyball, Track and Field, Tennis, Golf, and Baseball are offered. International students are encouraged to participate in a team sport each season. If the student prefers not to participate in a team sport, then Physical Education courses are required. Learn more about Bear Creek's athletics program.
Fine and Performing Arts
Bear Creek Upper School students may participate in four separate year-round vocal and instrumental performance groups, as well as two theatre performances each year. Upper School classes are offered in Art History, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Design and Photography. Learn more about Bear Creek's fine and performing arts programs.
College Advising
College advising is available to all Bear Creek students in grades 9-12. College advisors work with our international students to help them select a list of "best fit" schools that match their abilities and interests. Advisors also assist students with the preparation and final review of admission applications to each college. Learn more about Bear Creek's college advising program.
International students who have graduated from The Bear Creek School have been accepted to many fine colleges and universities including, but not limited to: Boston College, Boston University, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, New York University, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, University of British Columbia, University of California Berkeley, University of California Davis, University of California Irvine, University of California Los Angeles, University of California San Diego, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Southern California, University of Victoria, University of Washington, Washington University (St. Louis), Western Washington University.
Community Involvement
Because Bear Creek is a small community, our international students participate in all activities, from athletics to community service projects. An International Student/Family Dinner is held in late summer to welcome new international students. Each year, either a Christmas party or an American Thanksgiving potluck dinner is hosted for international students. Each winter, an International Festival is organized by the International Student's Club.
Mandatory Accident and Health Insurance
All international students who have been issued an I-20 form are required to carry mandatory international student accident and health insurance. The premium is included on the listing of fees on the Enrollment Contract and is paid in advance of attendance. Coverage is from August 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011, which allows for early entry (prior to the first day of class) as permitted on the I-20 form. This insurance is mandatory regardless of whether students have other accident and health insurance. Students are free to obtain other accident and health insurance of their choice in order to provide coverage that is in addition to this mandatory coverage.
All international students in attendance for any Bear Creek program, coursework, activities, camps, etc., must be fully covered by accident and health insurance that is valid in the United States at all times during their attendance.
Living Arrangements
International students in Middle School (grades 7-8) are required to live with one or both parents. International students in Upper School (grades 9-12) may choose to live with one of the following: one or both parents OR a host family arranged through a homestay agency. After acceptance, please contact Katie Humphries, International Student Services Coordinator, for any questions you may have.
Orientation - Annually, late August
New international students should plan to arrive at least one week prior to the first day of school. All new international students are required to attend our International Student Orientation the week before school starts. Attending orientation helps ensure a smooth transition to The Bear Creek School community. Please contact Katie Humphries, International Student Services Coordinator, for more information.
