WELCOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Forest Lake Academy is a private co-educational Christian high school for 9th to 12th grade students. The school is located in Apopka, Florida, a suburb of the larger urban city of Orlando, and is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Throughout the years Forest Lake Academy has been privileged to have students attending from the countries of China, South Korea, Thailand, Germany, Ukraine, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Bermuda, and the Bahamas to name a few.
We understand not all international students applying to FLA come from Christian backgrounds, and our policy is to treat all students’ beliefs with equal respect and dignity. International students will be required to take religion/Bible classes that are part of the curriculum and participate in chapels and worship groups.
NEW STUDENTS
Begin the online application process by first creating an account. You will receive an email containing a verification link, and once you have verified your email address you select Create a New Student Application.
CREATE AN ACCOUNT
There is a $250 application fee for all international students. International students will be considered for admission after the following has been completed:
- Fill out the International Student application form.
- Provide school transcripts. If transferring to FLA from a school outside of the USA, transcripts must be evaluated by Joseph Silny & Associates, International Consultants, 305-273-1616, www.jsilney.org
- Provide Immunization records and a physical exam from a doctor's office (which also need to be translated if coming from a foreign country.)
- Complete a Skype, Zoom, or WeChat interview with the ELL coordinator or with an FLA administrator (this can be coordinating by emailing our school registrar at gabriela.lopez@forestlake.org)
- Provide verification of your confirmed homestay living arrangements. This is required prior to final acceptance and release of the I-20 form necessary to receive the student visa.
- The admission committee will then evaluate the student’s application, documents, and interview results to then make a decision with regards to acceptance.
- Once the student is notified of acceptance, the student must then wire payment for the entire school year to the school business office.
- Upon receipt of payment, Forest Lake Academy will then issue and send the I-20 form necessary for the student to obtain a student visa.
Tuition and fee rates for international students include:
- Tuition: $20,000.00
- Registration Fee: $600.00
- I-20 fee: $200.00
- I-901 fee: $350.00 (paid by the student directly before entering the USA at FMJFEE.com)
- Technology Fee: $900.00
- ELL Support Fee: $3,000.00 (if needed)
- Medical insurance: (cost varies depending upon the plan chosen)
It is strongly advised that each international student travel with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard recommended) to be used for incidentals throughout the year.
Who is the person to contact with financial questions?
Marile Estrada, Business Manager marile.estrada@forestlake.org
When is payment due?
Financial payment, in U.S. dollars, is due prior to the I-20 form being issued for the student ot obtain their visa.
What about medical insurance?
Forest Lake Academy requires all enrolled students to have health insurance. Proof of coverage is required. There are a number of companies that offer health insurance plans for international students including:
- Patriot Exchange Insurance at: http://imglobal.com/ 1-877-340-7910
- World Trips Traveler’s Insurance plans at: http://americanvisitorinsurance.com/ 1-877-340-7910
- Study USA HealthCare Insurance plans at: http://my.travelinsure.com/ 1-800-937-1387
Are there any additional fees / costs?
- School Picture – purchasing a package for the family is optional and prices vary based package type
- Music Uniforms/Materials (optional) – approximately $200 / $20 + additional tour fees
- Musical Instruments (optional) – going rate
- Art Class (optional) - $100 per class
- Varsity Sports (optional) - $150 per sport + traveling fees to athletic tournaments
- Banquets (optional): approximately $100 per banquet
- Trips (optional): All school trips including Junior History Study Tour, Senior Class trip, Marine Biology trip have significant travel costs.
- Fines: Cell phone violation fine, ID card replacement
- You will receive a refund minus $1,000.00 (which covers administrative costs) if your child doesn’t get their visa or is not allowed in the country.
- There will be NO REFUND of any money if any student gets dismissed, expelled (sent home for disciplinary reasons) no matter when it happens, there will not be a refund of any money.
- You can expect a refund in two weeks of the written request to the Business Manager.
- Varsity Sports (Cheer, Boys & Girls Golf, Basketball, Soccer, and Volleyball)
- Music (Choir, Cantabile, Bells, Strings, Concert Band, Jazz Band
- Art Club
- Asian Culture Club
- Black Fellowship Association
- Campus Ministries
- Chess Club
- Creative Writing/Classis Literature Club
- FLA Student Ambassadors
- Garden Club
- Gospel Choir
- Hispanic Culture Club
- National Honor Society
- National Technical Honor Society
- Panther Press
- Theology Club
- Servant Leadership
- Panther Productions
- Robotics Club
- Student Association
- Women Can STEM Club
- Class Officers
School Counselor - Yanira Palomo (yanira.palomo@forestlake.org)
Admissions/Registrar - Gabriela Lopez (gabriela.lopez@forestlake.org)
Student Finances - Linda Acosta (linda.acosta@forestlake.org)
IT/Technology - Reggie Simons (reggie.simons@forestlake.org)
ELL Teacher - Martha Nelund (martha.nelund@forestlake.org)
Discipline - Jaymie Pottinger, Vice-Principal (jaymie.pottinger@forestlake.org)
Principal - Dr. Glen Baker (glen.baker@forestlake.org)
Our mission is to provide a challenging curriculum and Christian education in an innovative and safe environment that values diversity. We believe education is not only about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing the whole person. Therefore, we strive to create an environment that fosters intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual growth.
At FLA we are committed to providing a curriculum that challenges students to think critically and creatively, which helps them develop the skills necessary to become lifelong learners. Our Christian education is grounded in the belief that each person is a unique and valuable creation of God, and that we are called to love and serve one another. We are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to engage our students, whether through the use of technology, hands-on learning experiences, or other creative approaches. We believe that by embracing innovation, we can better prepare our students for an ever-changing world.
At the core of our mission is the commitment to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students. We believe that every student deserves to feel valued and supported, and we strive to create a community that fosters diversity, respect, kindness, and understanding. We recognize our differences make us stronger and enrich our community.
Our program is designed to ensure students’ success both at the high school and university level. In addition to college preparatory classes, we offer an ELL academic enrichment program for students who desire a stronger foundation in the English language. The school also offers honors-level classes as well as a variety of dual enrollment classes that enable students to earn college/university credit while still in high school. Current dual enrollment classes include English Composition I and II, General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Elementary Statistics, Calculus I w/Analytical Geometry, and Jesus in a Contemporary World.
University admission is the goal for most of our international students, and we work with each student individually to guide him or her through the application process. Graduates of FLA’s international program have gone on to attend universities all over the United States.
International students will need to live in a home-stay situation as the school no longer uses its dormitories to house students. International students are responsible for finding their own homestay arrangements, however, Forest Lake Academy will assist with this process when possible.
There are also some agencies that can assist in locating a host home stay family, a local guardian, and tutors. You may use any agency you choose. Two agencies that Forest Lake Academy recommends include:
- WISE (Washington International Student Experience)
www.wisexperience.org
1-989-331-2525
Jodi Iwankiw – Director
jodi@wisexperience.org
Lynda Kim – Advisor
lynda@wisexperience.org - NorthShore Exchange Organization
Audrey Chu (Chinese / 中文)
+1-224-425-2792
audrey@ns-exchange.org
Joann Seralde (English)
+1-630-854-0612
www.ns-exchange.org
It is important to note that FLA requires that you have local guardian (someone with temporary guardianship authority) that can sign consent and permission slips and who the school can easily contact should there be academic issues or behavioral or disciplinary concerns. That individual can easily be your homestay guardian.
Obviously, there are addition fees that must be paid to the host family to cover a student’s living expenses. Many students arrange to live with a local relative or family friend. Should Forest Lake Academy assist in locating a homestay family for an international student, a thorough background check and screening is conducted to help ensure a safe and secure home environment. Host families generally welcome the international student into their home and treat them as if they were one of their own children.
The classroom environment at Forest Lake Academy is both student-centered and rigorous. Students are nurtured by their teachers in a manner that promotes learning. Often, students are seen working collaboratively on specific content-related tasks. Classroom behavioral expectations are held at a high standard, as this is integral to an environment that fosters focus and ultimately, learning. Students are cooperative with both their teachers and their peers.
- 09th grade: 50
- 10th grade: 60
- 11th grade: 70
- 12th grade: 80
NOTE: Many top universities require a TOEFL proficiency of 110 to 120 for admission, so actively working to improve English proficiency must be a priority for students wanting to go on to college or university.
Students who are unable to reach the recommended minimum score may still apply to be a student at Forest Lake Academy, however, it is important to understand that reduced English proficiency may make it difficult to be academically successful in all classes.
The TOEFL test is the most recognized tool for measuring English proficiency. There are several variations of the TOEFL, each with its own scoring. In order to avoid confusion, international students will be required to submit scores from the Internet Based TOEFL, often called the iBT. This test is widely available in testing centers. Being able to book a testing time may be limited and it may take several weeks to receive scores. Students interested in studying in the USA should schedule a test as soon as possible.
Our program is designed to ensure international students feel supported, enriched, and at home during their time studying at our school. Students’ needing English support will be placed in required ELL classes until such time as it is no longer necessary (determined evaluative testing and the ELL teacher recommendation). Peer tutors are also available to provide additional academic support in classes where a student is having difficulty. In addition, teachers provide after-school support as well as “Power Sessions” during lunchtime which gives students an opportunity to receive additional assistance.
The primary goal for our guidance and registrar departments, which includes academic advising, is to provide our students with the appropriate guidance and resources that are necessary for achieving academic success in high school, and strategic planning for college entrance. The guidance counselor and school registrar support students at the different grade levels by providing academic counseling including the following:
- An overview of the diploma types offered and their relevant graduation requirements
- A grade-level, "What Every Student Should Know" checklist
- Testing and assessment information
- Effective study skills
- Simple and effective test-taking strategies
- College planning
- College financial aid
- Career planning
- Standardized Testing results (MAP Testing, SAT, ACT, PSAT)
- Upcoming year Course Request process
- Individual student planning
All FLA students are supplied a personal Apple Macbook laptop for use at school. The laptop can be used for all classes and textbooks can be accessed electronically. Every international student will be given instructions and guidelines on the use of their laptops, email, RenWeb, Canvas, printing, etc.
Smoking, drinking, or drugs are illegal and are strictly prohibited on or off campus while you are a student at Forest Lake Academy. A violation of this policy will result in being asked to withdraw from school. Please be advised that all FLA students may be drug tested every year as all students are subject to random drug testing. If a student test positive they will be subject to school discipline, including substance abuse evaluation and counseling. They will also be subject to additional testing every 90 days at the school’s discretion and at the cost of the parents. Should a student test positive again they will be asked to withdraw from FLA.
Please be advised that if you break the law and are arrested, it could result in your deportation or being jailed. Forest Lake Academy will not bail students out of jail.
