EF Academy is where your child can come as they are and become who they want to be. In its inclusive environment, everyone feels they belong as they flourish academically, socially, and personally alongside students from over 60 nationalities. The mini-UN vibe at all three EF Academy campuses is unmatched, as every class, activity, and event becomes a “global studies” exploration.
“My favorite part about EF Academy is the diversity. I love hearing about other people’s countries and values,” shares , Class of 2024. “It is so incredibly special to be part of such a diverse and interconnected community. It taught me so much about the world.”
With locations strategically set in Westchester County, New York, Pasadena, California, and Oxford, England, EF Academy’s highly acclaimed network of campuses actively integrates a global mindset into its academic curriculum. Every day, students expand their worldviews with multiple perspectives while sharing their own culture and traditions.
“I have made so many friends from all over the world. We come together and talk about global issues,” says Yoonje from South Korea, Class of 2023. “We celebrate collectively as part of the EF Academy community. This helped me express myself more and become open-minded.”
Where tradition meets innovation
EF Academy courses are designed around mastery of skills. Leading the learning process are teachers who are experts in their field — over 90% of them have advanced degrees and many have led successful professional careers in their subject areas. They use their deep knowledge and real-world experience to make every class hands-on, engaging, and spirited.
At EF Academy New York, Stephen Fleming has been bringing science to life for 12 years by leading an annual marine biology trip to Belize. Fleming also taught in Poland and founded a non-profit that brings marine biology to underserved schools. With teachers like these, it’s no wonder Vittoria from Italy , Class of 2023, has this to say about her teachers: “I love my teachers. They approach their subject with passion and joy. There’s always a dialogue and our knowledge is put into practice. It’s not only a scholastic relationship, but we are also all a family.”
Whether your child pursues the International Baccalaureate or US High School Diploma, they’ll participate in the Learning and Knowledge Program while studying in New York. Classes are built upon the foundation of philosophy, attention to detail, and creating a “play mindset.” This progressive syllabus over four years develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Your child will be able to take these skills into any classroom or career and they will find fascination in everything they study. Upon completion of the program, students would have earned credits towards their high school degree and fulfill the Theory of Knowledge requirement as a full IB Diploma Program student. They also graduate with a portfolio of demonstrated competencies which can be showcased in university applications or job interviews.
No matter the location, all campuses are designed to support immersive learning. Picture tech-equipped academic facilities, rooms for creativity and collaboration, and an impressive range of leisure spaces. For most subjects, there is a facility for students to explore, test, and engage with the knowledge they’ve gained with all five senses.
Life at EF Academy is quite fulfilling. Whether it is studying, living, or going on adventures, students bond with their peers and staff from different countries. This starts from as early as day one. Last September, EF Academy Pasadena students participated in Academic onboarding, chose their co-curriculars at the clubs and athletics fair, and joined on-campus events and off-campus excursions to get to know their new campus, community, and city. “With an ice cream truck, bouncy houses, a glow-in-the-dark pool party, and s’mores in the fire pits, our students enjoyed spending time together and getting to know new friends on our magnificent campus,” says Dr. Sally Mingarelli, Head of School, EF Academy Pasadena.
Each student participates in the Innovation and Impact Program, an academic opportunity exclusive to the Pasadena campus. In this program, students work in multicultural teams to design solutions addressing a UN Sustainable Development Goal, hone their passion for arts in fully-equipped studios, become biologists and explore nearby estuaries, create tangible products to support their community, and many more.
On the other side of the world, EF Academy Oxford students Marie and Lotte from Norway used their Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) project to help the homeless in Oxford. Raising 450 pounds, they developed a plan to knit hats and scarves for the people who need them the most. This being EF Academy, many others wanted to join as well.
“As word of our CAS project spread around school, our English teacher also wanted to engage with the project. Together with our activity coordinator, they donated food to the project, and also engaged other teachers to donate clothing, socks, and so on,” they say. “This led to our project becoming much more successful. Also, a group of students came with us to hand out food, gift cards, and the hats and scarves. We really had great support from our school during the whole project.”
At each campus, students join an advisory group that meets multiple times weekly throughout the year and get additional support from teachers, health and wellness counsellors, and staff members. To ensure round-the-clock support, teachers are available to meet with students before and after school or on weekends, if they require more academic support.
With a well-rounded education, many EF Academy graduates secure spots at the world’s top universities. The most recent years’ graduating classes received offers from 45% of the top 100 QS World University Rankings and 28 out of the US News top 50 liberal arts colleges. The vast majority, by working with their University and Academic Counselor, get accepted to at least one of their top-choice schools. In the last three years, students can be found at the likes of prestigious institutions such as Cornell University, New York University, University of Southern California, and many more.
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