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High School in the USA

School year in the United States

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High School USA

An immersion in an American secondary school, with life in a host family, local lessons, clubs, sports and two possible options: Classic J-1 or Select F-1.

School year in the United States: the High School USA experience

The USA source page presents a complete experience: joining an American secondary school, living with a host family and taking part in the daily life of a local High School. The pupil follows lessons with young Americans, makes progress in English and discovers another way of learning.

The project can take several forms: a short programme, a term, a semester or a full school year. The choice depends on the level of personalisation wanted, the budget, the age, the calendar and the young person's maturity.

The spirit of the source rests on two main programmes that must be clearly distinguished: High School Classic / J-1, focused on cultural exchange, and High School Select / F-1, which is more customisable. These programmes must then be the subject of dedicated child pages in MoveAndStudyCore.

Programme key facts

The key elements to understand before choosing a High School option in the United States.

Duration

From two months to a term, a semester or a full school year depending on the option and availability.

Age

Classic J-1: generally 15 to 18 years and 6 months. Select F-1: generally 14 to 19.

Host family

Volunteer family for Classic J-1; paid or reimbursed family depending on the Select F-1 programmes.

Visa

J-1 visa for the Classic cultural exchange; F-1 visa for the more customisable Select programmes.

Choice

Destination not guaranteed with Classic; a choice of destination, school, activities or subjects is possible with Select depending on the programme.

High School programmes in the United States

The USA source does not only present images: it organises the page around child programmes. These cards prepare that navigation without creating a link as long as the corresponding MoveAndStudyCore pages do not exist.

Los Angeles

Orientation pre-stay in New York

The source also highlights an optional three-day pre-stay in New York for certain departures. It makes it possible to meet other participants, discover Manhattan and start the American experience with Move and Study support.

Secondary school and family immersion

The heart of the programme is immersion in an American High School. The pupil joins the lessons, the activities, the clubs, the school events and the rhythm of a local secondary school.

The host family plays an essential role: it shares daily life, meals, traditions and moments of life. This family immersion completes the school experience and speeds up progress in English.

High School Classic / J-1

The Classic programme makes it possible to spend a school year in the United States at an American secondary school and with a volunteer host family. The option rests on cultural exchange and on discovering a region allocated by the American organisation.

Choosing the destination is not possible, even though a state preference can sometimes be indicated without any guarantee. Places are limited, the registration deadline is strict and the schools are state schools.

High School Select / F-1

The Select programme offers a more customisable experience. The pupil can aim for a region, a secondary school, certain subjects or particular activities such as sport, dance or music.

This option sometimes makes it possible to pursue a more specific academic objective, to choose optional and sporting activities, or to prepare for a diploma depending on the school and the programme. It may involve state or private schools.

American school life

The American High School gives an important place to campus life: clubs, sport, drama, arts, cinema, events, meetings and team spirit. The pupil learns differently and discovers subjects or activities they would not necessarily have explored in their usual pathway.

Over the course of the stay, the pupil gains independence, confidence and open-mindedness. The source emphasises this transformative dimension: the experience is as much human and cultural as academic.

Duration and choice of option

The United States allows several durations: a short programme, a term, a semester or a full school year. The choice depends on the pupil's objectives, their age, their level, the school calendar and the option chosen.

Classic J-1 suits young people who accept a more open allocation and want a strong cultural immersion. Select F-1 suits young people who want more choice and a more precise construction of their project.

Comparing Classic and Select

Classic J-1: J-1 visa, 15 to 18 years and 6 months, limited places, state preference possible without guarantee, volunteer host family, strict deadline, state schools.

Select F-1: F-1 visa, 14 to 19, choice of destination, possibility of obtaining a diploma, paid or reimbursed families, late registration possible, English lessons at the High School for a supplement, choice of activities and sports, state or private schools.

High School USA video

Video: experiencing a High School in the USA

The source video is kept in a dedicated editorial section. It accompanies the introduction to the programme and illustrates the High School experience in the United States without reusing the raw legacy iframe.

What is included

  • Individual information and support with the choice between Classic J-1 and Select F-1.
  • Analysis of the profile, the age, the level, the objectives and the calendar.
  • Preparation of the application file and monitoring of the documents.
  • Coordination with the American partners.
  • Placement in a secondary school and a family according to the rules of the option chosen.
  • Local supervision and Move and Study follow-up before departure.

What is not included

  • International flights and personal transport not included in the programme.
  • Passport, visa, additional insurance or specific administrative fees.
  • Pocket money, telephone, personal outings, paid activities or particular school equipment.
  • Optional pre-stay in New York when it is offered.
  • Supplements linked to options, sports, English lessons or specific choices under the Select option.

Participation requirements

The requirements vary according to the option. Classic J-1 generally concerns young people aged 15 to 18 years and 6 months, with limited places and a strict calendar. Select F-1 generally concerns young people aged 14 to 19 and offers more flexibility.

The school record, the level of English, the motivation, the maturity and the ability to adapt are decisive. The pupil must respect the rules of the school, the host family, the visa and the local organisation.

Registration procedure

  1. Information: a discussion with an adviser to understand the project, the dates and the duration wanted.
  2. Choice of option: comparison between Classic J-1 and Select F-1.
  3. Application: school reports, forms, recommendations, medical information and required documents.
  4. Validation: analysis of the profile and transmission to the American partner.
  5. Placement: school and family according to the rules of the programme.
  6. Preparation: visa, travel, departure instructions and integration landmarks.

Programme navigation to be prepared

The USA source points to programme pages. No corresponding target MoveAndStudyCore page exists yet, so the cards below remain non-clickable in order to avoid any broken link.

Orientation in New York

Former Select F-1 link

The source also contains a link to a former Select F1 page located outside the High School source website. It must be audited before being reused.

American school life

New York pre-stay

An important editorial block from the source, to be kept as a highlight of the programme but not as a child page as long as no dedicated target has been confirmed.

Move and Study support

A High School USA project is prepared methodically: choice of option, age requirements, visa, application, calendar, host family and the pupil's expectations.

Move and Study supports the family in comparing the options and in avoiding reducing the choice to a simple destination. The key point is to choose the right programme logic.

High School USA project

Ready to prepare a school year in the United States?

An adviser can help you compare Classic J-1 and Select F-1, check the requirements and prepare the application before the dedicated programme pages are created.

Request a High School information pack

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