An Introduction to

Burr and Burton AcademyFounded in 1829

responsibility - integrity - service

Academics68 Faculty Members

16 Student Average Class Size

60 percent of faculty hold advanced degrees

140 courses

12 Advanced Placement courses

28 Courses required for graduation plus service learning projects

Over 80 percent of graduates go on to university

Academic Information• We have international students who attend for a minimum of one

semester, a year or multiple years. The students who attend for a semester or a year follow a regular schedule and are here to perfect their English and to get to know the culture. The students who attend for multiple years are here to graduate and to go on to college.

• In order to graduate, the student must attend for a minimum of two years. Every student needs to have a minimum of 28 credits for graduation. In addition, all students are required to complete service learning projects.

• International students generally follow the usual course of study and take eight courses during the year.

Academic Information (continued)

• Burr and Burton follows a modified block schedule with 85-minute classes. Students take three one-credit courses during both fall and spring semesters, and two one-credit full-year classes. Seniors may elect to take one study period.

• Students will take an English proficiency test upon arrival that will determine if they will need to take an ESL class. If so, the test also will decide the level of ESL at which the student will be placed.

• It is required for students who are here for one semester or a year to take an English class and a social studies class.

• A mathematics proficiency test will also be given to place the student in the appropriate class.

The ESL ProgramThe English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Burr and Burton Academy provides students with the tools to develop the high level of fluency required for academic success atBurr and Burton and beyond. In addition to helping students master English skills, the ESL program provides language and academic assistance with mainstream classes and, for those who plan to attend college in the U.S., the college search and application process.

The ESL ProgramLevel 1

• Builds basic integrated social and academic English skills.• Works on speaking and listening, vocabulary and grammar,

reading speed and comprehension strategies, and basic essay structure.

• Provides content support for other classes.

Requirements: i. Entry TOEFL test score below 400. ii. Students in this level are required to take ESL Level 2 the following year.

The ESL ProgramLevel 2

• Builds integrated intermediate-level academic English skills. • Includes classroom speaking and listening, academic

vocabulary and grammar, reading speed and comprehension strategies.

• Includes analysis of simplified and authentic fiction and nonfiction, and a number of basic academic essay structures.

• Requirements: i. Entry TOEFL test score between 400–475 or completion of Level 1 with grade of C or better. ii. Pre-requirement for all English courses.

The ESL ProgramLevel 3

• Same as Level 2 with a strong emphasis on TOEFL and SAT test preparation integrated into the curriculum.

• Highly recommended for students planning to attend U.S. colleges.Requirements

• Entry TOEFL test score between 475–550.• After-school help is provided Mondays–Thursdays to students needing

additional support for ESL or other classes. This is required for students with a grade of D or lower in any class.

• College Help: Students wishing to attend college in the U.S. receive extra support in navigating the college research and application process. This is available during Tuesday and Thursday advisories, free blocks, or after school by appointment.

ActivitiesBurr and Burton offer students

numerous opportunities to explore their interests and talents outside the classroom.

l 16 Scholastic Sportsl 25 After School Clubsl Literary and Arts Magazinel Fall and Spring dramatic and musical productionsl Field trips to Washington DC and New York City

ceramicsBurr and Burton

skiingBurr and Burton

performing artsBurr and Burton

calliope cafeBurr and Burton

musicBurr and Burton

Arts and Technology• The Media and Performing Arts Department is an integral part of every

student’s education at Burr and Burton.• Students are required to take one full-credit course in one of the art

disciplines as well as one full-credit course in one of the technology disciplines for graduation.

• The Media and Performing Arts Department provides opportunities for cultural literacy in the major disciplines of:

Dance Music Theater Visual Arts

Cinematography Audio Production Computer Design Digital Exploration Computer Hardware & Networking

• The goal is to prepare students to be skilled art makers, technology experts, and performers as well as to develop members of an informed audience of the arts.

AthleticsBurr and Burton Academy sponsors

interscholastic teams over three seasons

SoccerField HockeyFootballCross Country

Ice HockeyBasketballNordic SkiingAlpine SkiingSnowboardingDance

LacrosseTennisSoftballGolfTrack and FieldBaseball

sportsBurr and Burton

soccerBurr and Burton

skiingBurr and Burton

tennisBurr and Burton

basketballBurr and Burton

The CampusBurr and Burton is located in the historic New England village of

Manchester, nestled at the base of Mt. Equinox and a popular resort destination for over 150 years. The campus is comprised of 7

buildings on 29 wooded acres, including:

• Seminary Building, the original building from 1832• The EH Henry Physical Education Center• The Smith Center for Science and Communication• The Riley Center for the Arts• The Rowland Center• Larson Hall

Room and BoardInternational students are placed in one of our four small dorms

or with local families who are interested in and committed to sharing their lives with students from abroad.

The families are interviewed and selected by school officials. Dorms are supervised by Burr and Burton faculty or

staff members and their families.

All meals are provided by the dorm and host families during the week and weekends. Students eat lunch in

the school cafeteria during the week.

Dormitory Living• We have 4 small dorms that house a small number of students.

• Dorms are traditional New England family homes that provide

a warm and comfortable environment.

• They have laundry facilities and wireless Internet connection.

Students share a room.

• Rooms are fully furnished with linen and bathroom amenities.

• Meals are eaten together with the dorm parents.

Dorm Life

Dorm Life

Dorm Life

Family Living• Students are placed with local families who are committed to

sharing their lives with students from abroad. The families are interviewed and carefully selected.

• Students have their own rooms and participate in the family activities.

• Students have a good opportunity to learn more about the culture while living with a family, and improve their English language skills.

• Families may be located near the school or within driving distance no longer than 20 minutes from the school.

International Program InformationBurr and Burton Academy is an independent school that serves 650

students in grades 9-12. It offers a highly competitive academic program.

• 50 to 60 international students;The small size of our program allows us to give a great deal of personal attention, working closely with them to succeed academically and socially.

• Countries represented this year are China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Russia, Spain, Germany, Austria, Bolivia and Mexico.

• The school usually opens on September 1 and closes on June 8. Students are required to arrive 5 days before for orientation. Students may not stay longer than 3 days after the school closes.

International Program Informationcontinued

• Vacations: 2 weeks in December, 1 week in February, and 1 week in April.• Students must have medical insurance. They can purchase a plan for an

additional fee or they can purchase it in their own country.• There is limited financial aid available.• After-school help is provided Monday through Thursday to students who need

additional support for ESL or other classes. This is required for students with a grade of D or lower in any class.

• Students wishing to attend college in the U.S. receive extra support in navigating the college research and application process. Available during Tuesday and Thursday advisories, free blocks, or after school by appointment.

• SAT and TOEFL preparation available.• Students are required to participate in a sport or club to help them become

involved with student life.

How to Apply1. Email the International Program Director Andrea Thulin

(athulin@burrburton.org) inquiring about the school. You can download the application on the website at www.burrburton.org

2. Send us the following documents: a. Completed application formb. Written essay in English, indicating why the student wants to come

to the United States or Burr and Burton Academyc. Family photosd. Transcripts for two most recent years of schoole. TOEFL scores and English teacher evaluation letterf. Two teacher recommendation lettersg. Physical exam and complete health information formh. Parents financial statement

How to Apply (continued)

3. Once the application is carefully reviewed and the student is accepted, Burr and Burton will send you a notification of acceptance, a contract to be signed and an invoice for the non-refundable deposit of 10% of the tuition cost, which will be applied to the tuition fee.

4. After receiving the signed contract and the initial deposit, Burr and Burton will send you a letter of acceptance with an I-20 immigration form to be presented at the consulate for the visa application. We will also send you additional information and other forms to sign.

5. We will send you a course guide prior to the beginning of the school year, please contact the International Program Coordinator to select your courses.

6. We carefully select all host families. Each student will be assigned with a host family prior to their arriving or will be placed in one of the small dorms, if requested by the student.

Local Area LinksEquinox Resortwww.equinoxresorts.com

Manchester, Vermontwww.manchestervermont.com

Southern Vermont Arts Centerwww.svac.com

Manchester Music Festivalwww.mmfvt.com

Burr and Burton Academywww.burrburton.org

Stratton Mountainwww.stratton.com

Bromley Mountainwww.bromley.com

Merck Forestwww.mwrckforest.com

For further information please contact:

Andrea ThulinInternational Student Program Director

athulin@burrburton.org802.549.6133802.362.0574 fax