What Are the Requirements for Studying High School in the United States?

The trend toward studying abroad at younger ages has gradually become more common. As a major education destination, the United States is also one of the countries many students hope to study in. Below, let’s look at what you need to meet if you want to attend high school in the U.S.

1. Age

Students applying to study at a U.S. high school should generally be at least 14 years old. Grade levels in U.S. high schools are different from those in China: American high school runs from grades 9 to 12, which corresponds to roughly ninth grade through twelfth grade in China. For example, if you finish the second year of junior high school in China, you can apply directly for ninth grade in a U.S. high school, and so on.

2. School Grades

In general, a student’s academic performance is one of the most important factors schools consider when deciding whether to admit them. Before enrollment, U.S. high schools will evaluate a student’s academic record in China comprehensively. A common requirement is an average score of at least 80. However, if you want to enter a better high school in the U.S., the academic requirements will be higher as well. Applicants may be expected to have an average score above 90, or rank in the top 10% of their grade. In short, the higher the grades, the better.

3. English Proficiency

Another basic requirement for international students applying to U.S. high schools is English test scores, such as IELTS or SAT. Schools use test results to assess a student’s English level, then decide whether the student needs to take language courses and determine which grade level and subjects are appropriate.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation make up a large part of the application materials and can help compensate for certain academic shortcomings. When applying to a U.S. high school, you need to prepare three recommendation letters, written by your English teacher, math teacher, and principal. These letters should provide a comprehensive evaluation of your performance in school and explain why the teachers recommend you to study abroad.

5. Financial Means

Financial means are a very important part of studying abroad. Whether your family can afford the various expenses of going overseas ultimately determines whether study abroad is possible. Since public high schools in the U.S. do not admit international students, you can only apply to private high schools. The total annual cost of attending a private high school in the U.S. is at least $30,000 to $50,000. With later costs for further education, the entire journey can become a very significant expense.

Students who want to apply to high school in the U.S. can use the points above as a basic checklist and then prepare in more detail. We hope everyone gets into the high school they want!