International Student & ESL Programs (Grades 9-12 only)

Program Description
Program Goals
ESL Courses
American Culture
Cross-Cultural Program

Program Description

The International Student Program (ISP) at Sandy Spring Friends School offers an academically rigorous and nurturing Friends educational environment in which international students from diverse national backgrounds can develop English language skills, acculturate to academic life in America, and grow into responsible and caring citizens of the world.

All students who are non-U.S. citizens and coming to Sandy Spring Friends School from abroad are enrolled in the International Student Program. We currently have 42 students in our International Student Program representing ten different countries: Bhutan, China, Ethiopia, India, Iraq, Korea, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Program Goals

Academic Goals: The goal of ISP English as a Second Language (ESL) classes is to prepare students to function successfully in non-ESL classes either at Sandy Spring Friends School or at the College or University that the students attend upon graduating.

Cross-Cultural Goals: The ISP seeks to integrate students into both American academic culture and the culture of the surrounding American community in order to create a more enriching educational experience. The Program also seeks to introduce students to the Quaker values of service, simplicity, equality, honesty, stewardship of the environment, and the peaceful resolution of conflict upon which Sandy Spring Friends School was founded.

ESL Courses

The ISP offers four levels of ESL courses, content area ESL courses, a grammar and writing workshop, and an American Culture course. Program class sizes range from 5-9 students and offer all students ample opportunity for individualized attention and instruction. ISP courses include the following:

Students entering the ISP are given placement tests to determine their English oral and written proficiency levels. Based on the results of these tests, students are placed in the appropriate classes. Students may test at a high enough level to enroll directly into non-ESL classes for English, History and Science, but they are still enrolled as ISP students.

American Culture

American Culture: All new international students, regardless of their English language proficiency, must enroll in the American Culture course. This course seeks to help students acculturate to life in America in general and particularly to life in an American school. This course also introduces the international students to the basic beliefs and values of the Quaker faith.

Cross-Cultural Program

The cross-cultural program gives international students a fully rounded experience of American life and culture and provides them with opportunities to share their culture with Americans in the School community.

In addition to studying American culture, all international students are given opportunities to experience American culture through participation in a variety of ISP activities. These activities are as follows:

• Summer ESL Program: All new students participate in the Summer English and Acculturation Program. In addition to English language and acculturation courses, cross-cultural learning experiences, and travel opportunities, this will include assessment for academic course placement for the upcoming fall semester.

• ISP Trips: Each month ISP students visit cultural events and/or museums in the Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC area. Annually, ISP students go on outdoor adventures such as hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or camping.

• Holiday Host Family Visits: Students can request the opportunity to spend shorter holidays with American families from the school community.

• ISP Potluck Dinners: At least twice each year, the ISP sponsors potluck dinners in the school cafeteria for the whole School community.

• International Assembly: ISP students perform in and organize an international fashion show for the annual international student assembly.

• Student Clubs: ISP students often spearhead the creation and meetings of students clubs such as the Super Chinese Culture Club and the Korean Culture Club. Additionally, ISP students participate as members ina wide variety of other student run clubs throughout the year.