Santa Barbara is a safe, comfortable, and vibrant city in a beautiful natural setting.

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1 I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T G U I D E

2 OUR TOWN Santa Barbara is a safe, comfortable, and vibrant city in a beautiful natural setting. annual festivals. The community also has rich educational and cultural resources OUR CLIMATE Santa Barbara enjoys a Mediterranean climate, and the city is often called the American Riviera. Average temperatures range from C in summer (April- September) to 8-20 C in winter (October-March). Although winter months in Santa Barbara can sometimes be rainy, we have more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Amazingly, it is possible to go skiing and surfing in the same day in California! OUR SCHOOL S PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY The Anacapa School is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. The school utilizes its prime location to expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom and to provide students and teachers easy access to the city center s rich educational, historical, and cultural resources. With many museums, theaters, libraries, city and county government offices, and historical sites just steps away from our safe campus, Anacapa students and teachers enjoy taking field trips to these facilities to enhance their classroom studies.

3 ANACAPA SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT Through academic and experiential learning, we encourage students to integrate critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and compassion in order to develop the potential of each individual in our diverse community. SCHOOL HISTORY In 1981, Gordon Sichi joined Dr. Robert Everhart of the University of California, Santa Barbara and a dedicated group of Santa Barbara parents in founding a new independent high school. They believed strongly that a small and personalized school would create a learning environment where students would thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. This essential characteristic of The Anacapa School continues to attract families to our school today. SMALL CLASSES, CRITICAL THINKING, PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE The Anacapa School provides a personalized education for students. Classes are small, and our faculty works closely with each student to set educational goals. With a strong emphasis on developing critical thinking skills, Anacapa s curriculum is built upon solid college-preparatory classes that help prepare students for university-level studies. Teachers, students, and parents all work together as a team to help students meet the challenges of an ever-changing world and create a better tomorrow. Anacapa is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and our academic classes meet the rigorous admission requirements of the University of California. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT ANACAPA The Anacapa School is an excellent choice for international students who want a high-quality college-preparatory education in a supportive school community. Over the years, we have had students from all over the world, including Brazil, England, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam. Anacapa is SEVIS-approved to issue the I-20 immigration form for international students. This is the document issued by a school for presentation at a United States consulate in a student s home country in order to apply for an F-1 Student visa. The I-20 form must also be presented to an immigration official upon entry into the United States. I received great help from all the teachers at The Anacapa School and I really, really appreciate that. I had a great time at Anacapa. It was a to everyone who supported me during my two and a half years here. ~H.C., International Student from Vietnam, Anacapa Class of 2009

4 COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCE LIST Students of The Anacapa School have earned acceptances to the following universities and colleges: Academy of Art University Bard College Bates College Boston College Boston University Brooks Institute of Photography California College of Arts and Crafts California Institute of the Arts California Lutheran University California Polytechnic State University, SLO California State University, Channel Islands California State University, Chico California State University, Monterey Bay California State University, Northridge California State University, Stanislaus Carroll College Chapman University Colby College College of the Atlantic College of Wooster Colorado College Connecticut College Dartmouth College Denver University Dominican University Drew University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emerson College Fashion Institute of Technology George Mason University George Washington University Gettysburg College Grinnell College Hampshire College Harvard College Hawaii Pacific University Humboldt State University Indiana University Ithaca College Lawrence University Lehigh University Lewis and Clark College Loyola Marymount Lynn University Marymount College Menlo College Middlebury College Montana State University, Bozeman Mount Holyoke Mount St. Mary s College New York University Northeastern University Northern Arizona University Occidental College Otis College of Arts and Design Pacific University Parsons School of Design Pitzer College Point Loma Nazarene College Pomona College Princeton University Reed College Regis University Ringling College of Art and Design Rochester Institute of Technology St. Mary s College San Diego State University San Francisco State University Santa Barbara City College Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Simmons College Skidmore College Sonoma State University Southern Oregon University Smith College Stanford University Suffolk University Trinity College Tulane University Union College of New York United States Military Academy (West Point) University of Arizona University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Merced University of California, Riverside University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Barbara University of California, Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Colorado, Boulder University of Hawaii University of Mary Washington University of Massachusetts University of Montana, Missoula University of Nevada, Reno University of New Hampshire University of North Dakota University of Oregon University of the Pacific University of Pennsylvania University of Puget Sound University of Richmond, Virginia University of Rochester University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Southern California University of Southern Oregon University Technical Institute University of Tennessee University of Vermont University of Washington Vassar College Westmont College Wheaton College Whitman College Willamette University

5 HELPING YOU PREPARE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL At The Anacapa School, we are excited about education. Our teachers really like teaching here, where they have small classes and can give you personal attention. We offer a challenging college-preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on developing critical thinking skills for students in grades Our college counselor is ready to help you and your parents find the right college or university for you. This is the kind of special attention you ll get at Anacapa. International students who have graduated from Anacapa have earned admission to a variety of American universities and colleges. Others have returned to their native country to pursue their higher education after being enriched by the experience of studying abroad and by the unique opportunities that The Anacapa School provides. TESTIMONIALS My time at Anacapa School was one of the best years of my life. The education was innovative, very practical, and with an emphasis on critical thinking. It was also an eye opener to understand that multicultural does not just mean bringing together different people from different cultures, but also appreciating different perspectives on life and the quest to find different angles on the same idea. This combination and the respect and admiration everyone had for this quest are what made Anacapa the quintessential multicultural experience. I now appreciate even more the good values that I was fortunate to be exposed to during my year at Anacapa. ~J. I., International Student from Spain, Anacapa Class of 1993 I am an Ethiopian alumnus of The Anacapa School. I moved to Santa Barbara in 1995 from Burma (Myanmar), where my father was working as an international civil servant. Why did I move to Santa Barbara? I liked its pleasant weather and, more importantly, its safety. Why did I choose Anacapa School? I found Anacapa to be a place where I wouldn t get lost in the crowd and I would be afforded the opportunity to have greater interaction with my teachers and classmates. The school s proximity to downtown Santa Barbara made it easy to find transportation although I was later able to car pool with a generous and friendly Anacapa family who lived in my neighborhood. What makes Anacapa stand out from the rest? I found Anacapa to be a unique school with a thriving community spirit a place where families car pool, parents and alumni come in as guest speakers, and there are fun get-togethers and exciting field trips. All of this makes Anacapa special. It is a place that not only prepares you for college but also develops a sense of personal responsibility in a community where you can establish life-long friendships with teachers and classmates a recipe for success wherever you go. ~M.T., International Student from Ethiopia, Anacapa Class of 1996

6 HOST FAMILY Our international students have lived in a variety of home environments, including those of carefully selected local host families and the homes of friends and relatives. Becoming part of a second family and sharing in the unique California lifestyle, including holidays, cultural events, trips, and outdoor adventures are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The friendships that our international students establish with their new family and friends can last forever. Plus, there is no better way to speed up language acquisition and cultural familiarity than in a warm and secure daily family routine. Living arrangements and host families must be approved by the school in advance. The Anacapa School is happy to suggest host family possibilities. DAILY LIFE The Anacapa School is a day school. While classes begin at 7:50 and end at 3:00, students may stay on campus after school to begin their homework assignments, and teachers are often available at that time for extra help. The Anacapa campus is comfortable, cozy, and inviting. Our perfect size and low student-to-teacher ratio make for an excellent environment for students to enjoy a well-rounded and balanced academic and social experience. The Anacapa School does its best to respect the cultures, traditions, and religions as well as the family and community values of each of its students. SPORTS Anacapa s elective sports classes vary each semester. Recent offerings have included soccer, basketball, kickboxing, volleyball, swimming, softball, squash, sailing, hiking, and surfing. Sports classes are co-educational and meet two afternoons a week. THE ARTS Anacapa is well-known for its excellent program in the arts. Our visual arts classes include drawing, painting, ceramics, fiber arts, photography, and digital media. In the performing arts, we offer ensemble music and performing arts classes. TRIPS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES Anacapa s calendar is filled with exciting school and community activities. Among the most popular are two all-school trips each year. On these trips, students and teachers visit some of the most scenic places in the western United States. Destinations have included Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce National Parks; Big Sur; San Francisco; Death Valley; and beaches along the California coast. As an important part of the school program, students also participate in local field trips, social outings, club activities, student government, kayaking, beach picnics, student dances, class dinners, college planning sessions, student internships, service projects, camp counseling for local elementary schools, and Anacapa s unique Synthesis Units.

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8 At The Anacapa School, our international students represent more than just a window Anacapa cherishes the rewards of multi-cultural learning experiences and life-long friendships. All of our students gain in discovering that the Anacapa family strengthens the world family. ~Eric Kirsch, International Student Coordinator, The Anacapa School 814 SANTA BARBARA STREET, SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 93101