International
American Learning Academy: Your gateway to an American university education minus the travel and expensive boarding school.
500+
Courses
$57000
Savings
No
Toefl
Schedule
Flexible
Overview
You dream of a better life and better opportunities for your children. Not surprisingly, you believe that the first step to that better life is a degree from an American university. And the best way to achieve that goal is with a diploma from an accredited American high school.
A U.S. High-School Diploma (minus the $57,000 boarding school)
In the past, the only options available for families outside the U.S. to get a U.S. high school diploma—the most direct path to a U.S. university—was to either live in the States, or send their kids to a U.S. boarding school (where annual tuition currently averages $57,000*).
Thanks to American Learning Academy ’s online curriculum, if you have an Internet connection, your child can earn that U.S. high school diploma from anywhere in the world.
*According to Boarding School Review (as of October 14, 2019)
Why Choose American Learning Academy ?
- Fully Accredited: Credits honored by all universities; recognized by the NCAA
- Robust: 500+ courses to “fit” the student, not the other way around
- Flexible: Learn on your schedule (no required logins at specific “class times”)
- Ideal for students pursuing demanding athletic/artistic/other life “passions”
- Guided: Assigned academic advisers monitor students’ progress
- High-Tech Platforms: Audio-visual/Virtual-reality platforms for many courses
- No TOEFL? Most universities waive the TOEFL with an ALA diploma (may vary)
- Affordable: Far less expensive than boarding schools
- Dual-Diploma Program: (U.S./Home Country). See more details below
- SSAT not required at ALA
The Benefits of Earning a Dual Diploma
The ALA Dual-Diploma program allows international students outside the U.S. to earn both a certified U.S. high-school diploma, while simultaneously obtaining one in their home country.
Given the challenges of the 21st-century world, coupled with the competitive realities of the U.S. workplace, international students that aspire to study and eventually work in the U.S., need to capitalize on any advantage available to them. A student with a dual diploma has a clear edge over fellow students—whether American or international—who only have one.
Immersion in New Technologies
Our modern world is all about technology, and those more comfortable with it will more easily find their place in that world, regardless of their ultimate career path. American Learning Academy ’s e-learning environment, by its very nature, helps students hone their technological skills.
Between constant interaction with audio-visual and virtual-reality platforms, developing cyber-skills around information-searching and selection, and the ongoing web-based communication between students and teachers, technology skills will organically grow and build.
Dramatically Improved English-Language Skills
English is the undisputed language of business, science and technology, worldwide. And just like technological skills, English proficiency is a reliable contributor to, and predictor of future career success. With all ALA learning conducted in English, and all interactions with teachers and other students also in English, dual-diploma students will naturally build their English skills.
Additionally, in contrast to the intense full-time immersion in English an international student would experience in a U.S.-based boarding school, studying in one’s home country while learning online with ALA offers a more comfortable and relaxed setting in which to build English proficiency.
Build Character and Self-Esteem
The dual-diploma program is a challenging undertaking—one that requires self-discipline, determination, the willingness to learn a host of new skills, and a commitment to overcoming obstacles. Those who succeed can be rightfully proud of their accomplishment. They will be stronger, more mature, well-rounded and resilient individuals—qualities that will serve them well in all arenas of life.
Grow Intercultural Skills
Interacting daily with American teachers, and their American and international classmates, gives international students invaluable experience navigating the wide range of cultural differences and nuances. It all adds up to being a more sensitive, confident and effective global citizen.
How Does the ALA Dual-Diploma Program Work?
The program begins when students are 14 years old, and is designed to continue for 2 to 3 years.
Students study the requisite subjects in their own country’s high-school curriculum, while concurrently studying 2 to 4 American subjects annually.
While a U.S. high-school diploma typically requires a student to earn 24 credits, a Dual-Diploma student, in order to obtain a certified U.S. high-school diploma from ALA, needs to earn just seven credits in eight American subjects.
Credits earned in the student’s home country* will count towards up to 17 of the 24 credits required to earn the U.S. high-school diploma.
The required American subjects and the subject/year breakdown are as follows:
English & Literature (9, 10, 11 and 12; 1 credit each)
American History (1 credit)
World History (1 credit)
American Economy (.5 credit)
American Politics & Government (.5 credit)
Year One: English & Literature (9) & World History
Year Two: English & Literature (10 and 11) & American Economy
Year Three: English & Literature (12), American History, American Politics and Government
*Depending on the school syllabus in a student’s home country, some students may be required to complete additional subjects. Check with your home country for specific requirements.
Students have regular virtual meetings with U.S.-based teachers, and assigned academic advisors will monitor their attendance, participation and ongoing performance, and will determine whether the student has satisfactorily completed the required work and can advance to the next level.
Students will also be monitored by program supervisors in their home country, who will set up as-needed tutoring sessions with the student.
Students are expected to invest 4-5 hours weekly in their ALA studies.
Students will submit all assignments—homework, projects, exercises, etc.—through the Learning Management System (LMS) on the ALA web site. Once teachers have reviewed their work, students will see their teachers’ corrections and feedback within the LMS.
Attendance is logged when a student connects to the LMS and engages with a course, and the system keeps track of all time that students spend with each course.
Given that ongoing interaction is crucial to success in the online-learning arena, students are expected to engage in regular communication with teachers, primarily via instant messaging and email.
Teachers will be “on call” to communicate with students during designated blocks of time, and are committed to responding within 20 minutes during those blocks (24-48 hours otherwise). Teachers will provide students with their email address, Skype ID and phone number.