International Admissions

Please note: The online application for the 2011-2012 school year will be available in late August 2010.

The Northwest School seeks motivated students from around the world. International students comprise nearly twenty percent of our population, which consists of 470 students, grades six through twelve. Students have come to join our educational community from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, Mexico, Canada and Africa.

International students seeking admission to The Northwest School International College Preparatory ESL Program or our Regular College Preparatory Program must have a strong desire for serious study. The Northwest School emphasizes an academically rigorous college preparatory program. Our seniors are accepted into competitive colleges because they have been well prepared in our school. Whether taking courses in the regular or ESL program, students participate equally in all other aspects of community life and assume the same responsibilities as their American classmates. They lead environment teams, they mentor younger students, they participate in all grade level activities, and they are regarded as contributing members of The Northwest School community.

We offer a well-regarded International College Preparatory ESL program for non-native English speakers who have studied the language for at least three years. Students in this program increase their English proficiency while immersed in a content-based curriculum that allows them to earn academic credits toward graduation. For application to our ESL program in grades 9 and 10 we suggest minimum English proficiency test scores of : IELTS Grade 9 - 3.5, Grade 10 - 5.0 / TOEFL PBT 500 for Grade 10 only (a TOEFL score is not recommend for 9th grade application) / SLEP Grade 9 - 45, Grade 10 - 53. See the International Application Checklist for full suggested minimum test score information. The hand-written writing sample is one part of the application that receives particular attention. An interview is also recommended. Telephone interviews are acceptable but we would prefer a face-to-face interview. Upon admission to the ESL program, students are expected to complete their ESL grade (ESL 9 or ESL 10) and follow the expected trajectory into 11th grade and 12th grade.

For international students seeking admission into our Regular College Preparatory Program we ask for the following TOEFL scores from an official test center: iBT 88, CBT 230, or PBT 570 / TWE 5. The writing sample and interview portions also receive special scrutiny in the application to our Regular College Preparatory Program.

While placing emphasis on the official appropriate test score, interview, and writing sample, our final decision about acceptance considers multiple factors. The Northwest School will admit the applicant to the appropriate program according to the demands of our curriculum.

The Northwest School is authorized under Federal law to enroll non immigrant students.

^ back to top