International Student Program

Our international students study alongside American students in every class, with the exception of English as a Second Language (ESL). We offer a true immersion program, in which international students comprise less than 15 percent of each grade. In our classical curriculum, subjects are taught one year advanced as compared to standard grade level, and every Upper School class is taught at an Honors or AP level. The curriculum includes accelerated STEM and coding classes, taught by a former NASA researcher, and advanced humanities seminars led by professors whom have taught at the university level. In addition, The Wilberforce School is ranked as the number one fine arts school in NJ with offerings in studio art, choral music, and theatre.

International students receive ESL support in classes small enough to incorporate individualized attention. They receive instruction on American culture and vernacular, critical reading, and writing mechanics, in addition to coaching in seminar participation.

Our entire student body, including our international students, have the highest SAT average in the region, as well as 100 percent matriculation at four-year colleges. In our supportive, extensive college guidance program, one counselor is dedicated specifically to guiding international families through the college application process. This same counselor functions as an academic advisor to each international students throughout the entirety of their time at Wilberforce.

Our Upper School international students are welcome to participate in our homestay program. The vast majority of our host families are parents of current Wilberforce students or Wilberforce alumni and are familiar with our curriculum, culture, and schedule. Host families are thoroughly interviewed, assessed, and background checked, and commit to providing the students with:

• A private bedroom with a door that locks
• Three balanced meals per day
• Transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities
• Medical care, homework help, and a nurturing family environment

In addition, our international student coordinator frequently checks in on hosted students, in order to ensure that the students are comfortable, have a member outside of the host family to discuss arrangements with, and that communication between host family, biological family, and international student is clear.

At The Wilberforce School, each class has a maximum capacity of 20 students, and our average class size is closer to 15. This ensures that each student is noticed, supported, and encouraged. As this small group of students take every core course together throughout the day, classmates get to know each other quite well. In addition, we offer a program called the International Ambassadors Club. This is compromised of international students and American students who are particularly excited to welcome them, learn about their cultures, and help them acclimate to ours. This club hosts monthly lunches where students share about their hometowns, as well as monthly fun trips outside of school, including to nearby cities, restaurants, museums, and amusement centers.

International students are also welcome to participate in every extracurricular activity that our American students join. Offerings expand every year, and include such diverse options as a cappella, debate, art club, a student-led newspaper, the school musical, and yearbook, in addition to athletics.