Foreign Students Requirements

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Acaciawood School (AWS) is a private school established in 1996 for the children of parents meeting as local churches of the Lord's Recovery. We emphasize character development and use a rigorous academic program as a primary tool to mold character. Our motto "Strong in Character, High in Standard"; and our mascot the golden eagle highlight our commitment to character training. AWS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a primary accrediting institution, recognized by all universities in the United States.

All students and parents are interviewed as part of the admission process to be sure they understand the vision and purpose of the school. Our stress is not to produce scholars for the nation’s top schools, but to produce students who are persons of character, accomplished learners, goal oriented productive workers, and responsible citizens. We believe that with good character, a person will be successful in life, regardless of his/her intelligence. AWS is not a school for smart kids or problem kids, but accepts any student that is willing to work hard to be the best that God has destined them to be.

Fifty-eight students are enrolled in high school (grades 9-12), 16 in junior high (grades 7 and 8), and 48 students in elementary school. Our graduates attend both excellent private and public universities. AWS is not a Christian school or church school, i.e., we do not teach believers in the Lord who are both qualified teachers as well as those concerned about the total welfare of our students. Therefore AWS has a Christ-filled atmosphere of love and care. AWS requires a time commitment of four hours minimum of homework each night for high school; two hours for junior high students. When there are project deadlines, the students may study more hours per day. School regulations and policies are in place as an additional means of shaping the character of our students.

General Admission Policy

Acaciawood School (AWS) seeks to maintain a low student-teacher ratio (17:1 max) to create a more personal learning environment. Due to the smaller class size, AWS limits the number of foreign students who need English as a second language (ESL) assistance to two students per grade. This quota preserves the quality and level of instruction in the classroom. Although AWS offers only limited ESL classes, the ESL students take the same classes as their native English speaking classmates. Since there is less ESL instruction, and the work load is heavy, ESL students who rank less than the top 10 percent of their class will not be considered for admission. There are no restrictions on the number of foreign students who do not need ESL instruction.

Eight-step Process for Foreign Students

1. Provide all personal data for the applicant:
   • First and last name as it reads on passport
   • Date of birth
   • Gender
   • Home mailing address
   • Home telephone
   • Country of citizenship
   • Country of birth
   • Last grade completed in school
   • Class ranking
   • Number of years studying English
   • English proficiency
   • Name of parents
   • Parent’s e-mail address
   • Number of years your family has been in the church life
   • Church locality
   • Date of applicant’s regeneration and baptism (if applicable)
   • Hobbies, favorite subject in school, and worst subject in school
2. Submit school transcripts for the two most recent years (translated into English) and any standardized English test scores.
3. Write a personal essay in 500 words or less on who initiated the decision to attend AWS and why. What does the student hope to gain and accomplish by studying here? In the student’s opinion, what constitutes an excellent education program and why does he/she think those elements of the program are important.
4. Write a short statement (essay) assessing his/her own spiritual condition. Include whether or not you have daily spiritual life practices such as reading the Bible, praying, attending meetings, etc.
5. Answer one of the four following essay questions after the school reviews the first two essays:
   1. Describe a visit to the dentist. Use specific details and stories to convince the reader that your dental visits are as pleasant or unpleasant as you believe they are.
   2. What career do you plan to pursue? Explain the reasons why you chose this field and tell what you hope to accomplish.
   3. Pick something you know how to do well, and teach someone how to do it. Be sure to include all the necessary steps and define any unusual terms.
   Notes on Writing: Steps 3-5 are for students entering junior high or high school. Students in elementary school may omit these steps. Students must write the essays without the help of others such as English teachers or tutors.
6. Provide one recommendation letter from a church elder or young people serving one describing your child’s character.
7. Submit a letter from parents assessing the psychological health of your child covering matters such as overcoming hardships, homesickness, being isolated from friends, etc. The letter should state how the parents know that their child will be able to handle the culture shock of being away from home without his/her usual friends? Please give examples.
8. Register for an AWS English language camp: See school website for current English camp details (http://www.acaciawood.org/english-language-camps/).

Through this eight-step process, AWS will make a final decision regarding admitting the foreign student. AWS reserves the right at any time during the eight-step process to reach a final conclusion regarding admitting the foreign student or not.