International Students

Application Process

1. Online Application (APPLY NOW!)
2. 3 letters of Recommendation:
   Two from teachers (English and Math instructors preferred)(click here to download)
   One counselor recommendation (click here to download)
   
3. English proficiency - SLEP accepted, while TOEFL is preferred
   
4. Transcripts/grades: Transcript Release Form (Click here to download)
5. Letter of bank solvency and financial support; requirement for issuing I-20 to ensuer family can afford school tuition
   
6. $100 Application Fee (Submit Payment by check / by credit /wire info: please contact the Admissions Office)
7. Documents are to be mailed to the school:
   
   MAUR HILL - MOUNT ACADEMY
   ATTN: ADMISSIONS
   1000 GREEN ST.
   ATCHISON KS 66002
   U.S.A
   
   
8. Completed student applications will be reviewed by Admissions committee at their next and earliest scheduled meeting.
   
   Family will be notified by email of decision and step 8 continues the process for those accepted.
   
   
9. Confirm students intentions of attending by email and submitting Security Deposit (refunded if visa is denied)
10. $500 security deposit (Submit Payment by check / by credit /wire info: please contact the Admissions Office)
11. Accepteance packet is then issued: Acceptance letter, I-20,registration forms , and travel information.
12. Student applies for and obtains the student visa and then notifies the Admissions Office that it has been received.
13. Schedule arrival to campus within dates shared in the travel information, and email arrival detials to Admissions Office.
    
14. Tuition is due August 1st for school year; January 1st for student joining at 2nd semester; June 20th for Summer ESL Program. (Submit Payment by check / by credit /wire info is on invoice included with the acceptance packet.

Overview

Maur Hill - Mount Academy (MH-MA) raises the standards of education for the students welcomed to attend. As a Catholic boarding and day school, students will experience a safe and caring learning environment along with a structured residential program. As a co-educational, college preparatory institution, students are selected from many different states in the USA as well as countries across the world bringing a challenging and strong level of academic competition to the classrooms. In representing a variety of cultures and religions, international students have many opportunities to live, learn, and work with American classmates.

Location
Located on a beautiful 90 acre (approx. 37 hectare) campus of picturesque fields and rolling hills off the bluffs of the Missouri river, in the historic city of Atchison, state of Kansas (KS), U.S.A.. The city of Atchison provides a unique and special setting for a school such as MH-MA, being a small and safe community with the advantage of being near a larger city, Kansas City Missouri (MO). One of those advantages is the Kansas City International airport (MCI), which is only 40 minutes from the MH-MA campus. Transportation to and from the airport by school personnel is free with the arrivals and departures during the school year in accordance with our school calendar.

School
The academic building is a modern, two level brick, and fully heated/air-conditioned school. There are 18 classrooms, a library, art room, music room, 400+ seat auditorium with stage and movie screen, as well as two computer labs. Recently the science wing of the school experienced a major renovation updating the two laboratories and 3 classrooms in addition to providing more supplies. The music room experienced expansion of its classroom with two individual practice rooms being constructed along with a larger secure storage area for the student's instruments.

At MH-MA all students wear a school uniform. The cost of the uniform for International students is included in the cost of tuition, and the school will see to it that each student receives that uniform. Students wear collared shirts with the MH-MA logo with khaki pants, and girls are allowed to wear skirts that are provided through our uniform company as well. Dress code information can be found in the student handbook, and all students will be required to follow.

Accreditation
North Central Association (NCA)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Catholic Boarding School Association (CBSA)

Residency Centers (Dorms)
The residency centers are just steps away from the academic building. Two residency centers, one for girls (Howard Hall)
and another one for the boys (St. Leo's). Each girl will have their own individual room, whereas the boy's rooms being larger they will share a room with another boy. The rooms are furnished for each student with their own bed, desk, dresser, closet, phone, and high-speed internet connection. The residency centers like the school are fully heated/air-conditioned and where the students have individual room temperature controls in their room. Both residency centers have lounges, kitchens, recreational rooms, snack areas, laundry facilities, computer rooms, and storage rooms. There is 24 hour supervision and support by the adult mentors and faculty known as prefects.

Activities
Activities after school and on weekends usually include swimming, volleyball, basketball, weight lifting, soccer, golf driving range, baseball, arts and crafts, skateboarding, music lessons, plays, concerts, movies, bowling, tours of museums, shopping trips. On special weekends a trip to an amusement park or professional baseball game may also take place.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
All international students need to have a basis of the English language and previous English study.
The ESL department is an asset for the International students. MH-MA recognizes that supporting an international students English development and mastery is vital to a successful high school education and acceptance into the right and esteemed college. The purpose of the program is to successfully emerge international students into a full mainstream curriculum at the earliest opportunity, having ensured their success. Part of the initial MH-MA application process is the submission of a SLEP, TOEFL, or other English proficiency exam. In addition for the students accepted, at the start of each semester students will be administered the in-house TOEFL exam prepared by the ESL Department. The results of this exam in addition to the recommendation of the ESL Director determine the class schedule for the student.

An intensive ESL Summer (July) Program takes place each year prior to the start of the school year. Students entering their first year of high school in the US are highly encouraged to take part in the program. Program information is found below.

Overview of the ESL departments curriculum

There are three levels in the ESL department
Beginner: Typically 6 ESL courses and 1 mainstream course
Intermediate: Typically 4 ESL courses and 3 mainstream courses
Advanced: Typically 2 ESL courses and 5 mainstream courses

Be sure to visit the following pages:

International Programs
An international student at Maur Hill - Mount Academy is defined as a non-US resident student who requires an I-20 to attend school in the US. Upon arrival, all international students are tested for English proficiency to determine class placement.

There are several program options available to international students, as explained below. Tuition for the school year is due by August 1st. If a semester payment is chosen, the 1st payment is due by August 1st, and the 2nd and final payment is due by January 1st as detailed.

2010-11 School Year
tuition includes: school and book fees, ESL fees, insurance, boarding, and meals.

Application Timeline