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ACADEMICS

International Student Profile

Facts in Brief

Whether living in the Montgomery area for only one year or becoming permanent residents of the community, international families are attracted to many characteristics of Saint James School:

  • Welcoming atmosphere with a diverse student body and student-centered culture emphasizing individual academic achievement and personal growth
  • Dedicated and caring teachers and administrators
  • College preparatory academic program enhanced by a wide variety of honors and
  • Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings and elective options
  • Diverse extra-curricular opportunities in visual arts, music, band, athletics, and drama
  • Emphasis on 21st century learning for students in Pre-K3 through twelfth grade including a one-to-one iPad program for students in grades three through twelve and regular Apple technology access for Pre-K3 through second grades
  • Commitment to involving students at all levels in community service projects

International Profile

International students come to Saint James through Air War College families from around the world, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama (HMMA), Hyundai Power Transformers USA, other Hyundai supplier companies, and international families involved in the Montgomery business community.

International students are enrolled in every division at Saint James (Elementary, Middle School, and High School) in Pre-K through twelfth grade.

Saint James School offers a comprehensive International Student Program developed to meet the unique needs of international students and families. Components of the program include:

Saint James School offers a comprehensive International Student Program developed to meet the unique needs of international students and families. Components of the program include:

  • International Student Application and Enrollment Process: Developed to meet the needs of international families.
  • English Proficiency Screening: On-campus WIDA English proficiency screening is used to assess language needs and better serve international students for whom English is not their primary language (English Language Learners.) The TOEFL iBT may be taken in place of the WIDA. A minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 94 or a minimum TOEFL Junior Standard Test® score of 800 indicates English proficiency.
  • International Parent Orientation: Through an orientation held in the fall, international parents have an opportunity to meet division level principals, counselors, the athletic director, and the ESL tutor— and are provided with vital information about each division, Saint James School sports, and ESL tutoring at the school.
  • Tutoring Programs: International students who are English Language Learners meet weekly during the school day with the ESL tutor in small, age-appropriate groups. Weekly tutoring is provided at all levels, before or after school, giving students an opportunity to work with their classroom teachers in any areas where they may have questions or need extra instruction.
  • International Report Card Option: Based on English Proficiency test results, international students may receive an International Report Card in order to better accommodate their needs. This report card has been developed as part of our International Student Program to be beneficial for students as they transition to an English speaking school. Please note that high school students do not receive credit for classes taken under the international grading system.
  • 21st Century Technology: Use of technology is embedded in classrooms and instruction at Saint James School from grades Pre-K3 through twelve as appropriate. Saint James students and teachers have access to programs such as Google Translate which can be beneficial to English Language Learners.

Often international students are only located in the Montgomery community with their families on a temporary basis. Due to this factor and others, including age, many do not seek admission to a college or university in the United States while enrolled at Saint James School. Other international students opt to return to their home countries to complete the next level of their education. However, the college preparatory curriculum and instruction provided by Saint James School thoroughly prepares all students to seek admission into colleges and universities in the United States. Listed below are recent college acceptances for international students. For a complete list of all colleges and universities to which Saint James students have been accepted, please see the latest Saint James School Profile.

  • Auburn University 
  • Baylor University 
  • Binghampton University-SUNY
  • Carnegie Mellon University 
  • Concordia University 
  • Georgia State University 
  • Emory University 
  • Indiana University 
  • Maryland Institute College of Art 
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 
  • Miami International University 
  • Northeastern University
  • Ohio Northern University
  • Pensacola State University
  • Pratt Institute
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • Santa Fe College
  • Savannah School of Art and Design
  • School of Art Institute of Chicago
  • School of Visual Arts, New York
  • St. John’s University
  • Saint Louis College of Pharmacy
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Alabama, Birmingham
  • University of South Alabama
  • University of California, Irvine
  • University of Findlay
  • University of Houston

STJ WonderWorks and 9th Period, our after school programs, are services provided for parents of students enrolled at Saint James School. The program coincides with the school calendar year. Sessions are offered from 2:45 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Elementary students may also participate in additional extracurricular activities.

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