Why SCLA

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Finding the Right School for Your Student

As you search for the best school for your student, consider location, cost, academic excellence, teaching staff, environment, and opportunities for personal growth. These elements shape not only your student’s educational experience but also their personal development and future opportunities.

At St. Croix Lutheran Academy, we go beyond the classroom to provide a nurturing and Christ-centered environment where students are empowered to reach their full potential. Our rigorous academic programs foster a lifelong love of learning, preparing students for success in higher education and beyond. Our dedicated and experienced teachers are passionate about helping students discover their unique gifts and talents, while our close-knit, supportive community ensures every child feels valued and encouraged.

Beyond academics, St. Croix Lutheran Academy offers countless opportunities for students to grow personally and spiritually. Through leadership roles, extracurricular activities, and community service, students learn to apply their knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world.

Academic Excellence

At SCLA, excellence in academics is nurtured and supported by our dedicated faculty and staff, 60% of whom hold master’s or advanced degrees.

University Guidance

Students are supported by the Guidance Department to be well prepared for the university.

On-Campus Dormitory

The SCLA residence program offers a unique opportunity for international and American students to interact in secure and convenient on-campus accommodations.

Courses and Curriculum

AP Classes

AP Classes

SCLA offers the following AP courses:

AP Precalculus
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP English Language & Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Music Theory
AP Physics 1
AP Physics 2
AP Psychology
AP U.S. History

PSEO options are available to domestic students in 11th grade and up.

Four college-credit courses are available on SCLA's campus through Bethany Lutheran College.

ESL Classes

ESL Classes

University Preparation

University Preparation

While maintaining high academic standards, SCLA supports a portion of its 500 students through its English as a Second Language (ESL) program. This structure enables matriculation of 99% of international students to top universities in America.

We support academic excellence through:

10 AP courses
Four on-campus dual credit courses through Bethany Lutheran College
Exceptional faculty -- more than 60% of teachers hold advanced degrees
ESL during the school day at no extra cost
Dedicated teacher support time
Supervised after-school and evening study time
Peer tutoring
Ability grouping

Student Mentoring

All new international students are matched with an American mentor for their first year of attendance. Each month mentors and mentees are involved in a group activity to build friendship and confidence in a new setting. American mentors and new international students often build lifelong friendships.

Acclimation help
International adjustment support
Ambassador, mentor, personal check-ins, peer support

SCLA mentors and mentees enjoy downhill skiing.

SCLA mentors and mentees enjoy a variety of engaging activities.

Location

St. Croix Academy is located on a 30-acre, park-like campus, overlooking Thompson Lake, a few minutes from downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. We offer an affordable, university-preparatory program of education for grades 6-12 that has a reputation for excellence in a friendly and safe environment. The campus is within walking distance of over 50 shops and restaurants and is just 20 minutes from the MSP International Airport.

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Why Minnesota

Safety

Culture

The state of Minnesota is well known for nice people, a standard American accent, affordable living, the experience of all four seasons, and its scenic beauty.

Known as “The Land of 10,000 Lakes,” the state of Minnesota offers boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visitors enjoy autumn colors with a drive along the Mississippi River or relax at one of the state’s luxury resorts. Outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to Minnesota’s golfing, skiing, hiking, and sports fishing.

Explore Minnesota

State Capitol

St. Paul is the home of the Minnesota State Capitol, just a 10-minute drive from campus. This government hub offers opportunities for tours and serves as the site of Youth in Government assemblies.

Professional Sports

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are home to eight major league athletic teams including soccer, football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. Five professional stadiums are within 20 minutes of campus.

Shopping

The world-renowned Mall of America is a 15-minute drive from campus and available by automobile, Metro Transit bus, or light rail.

Within walking distance of the SCL campus, students will find more than 50 shops, including a variety of ethnic restaurants, electronics stores, and four major department stores.

Fine Arts

Downtown Minneapolis, with the internationally acclaimed Guthrie Theatre and Minneapolis Institute of Arts, is a short twenty-minute drive from campus.

Museums

The Twin Cities is home to over nearly 50 popular museums including the infamous Science Museum of Minnesota.

Elite Educational Institutions

International Corporations

Minneapolis and St. Paul are home to international corporation headquarters including 3M, Best Buy, Target, General Mills, U.S. Bancorp, and Medtronic.

Minnesota is well known for its highly educated population and workforce.

The University of Minnesota health system in partnership with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic is within an hour’s drive of the metropolitan area.

Reputation for Excellence

St Croix Academy began its international program in 1995, and it has become an integral part of the school culture. For more than 20 years, international students have comprised 20% or more of the student body each academic year.

International graduates of St. Croix Academy are well-prepared to go on to top American universities, and have matriculated at NYU, Harvard, MIT, Penn State, Rutgers, and Boston University. We help students thrive by providing support in the following ways:

Acclimation Support for New Students

Dedicated Staff

Unlike many schools, our international admissions office has staff dedicated to international students. Five staff members work with families from the first contact, through arrival and orientation, all the way to graduation. International staff are skilled in the unique needs of international families, including government paperwork, student orientation and adaptation, medical needs, banking, and more.

Parent Communication

Annual Head of School Visits

Admissions Process

1. Application

Approximately 80 students apply each year for SCLA's international program and about 45 students are accepted. St. Croix Academy uses rolling admissions.

Applications should be made early to guarantee a place in the enrollment. The standard application deadline is March 31. Applications submitted after March 31 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

online application form

Required Application Materials

Application
Two teacher recommendations
At least two years of school transcripts translated in English
English proficiency test results
Bank statement showing ability to pay tuition costs
Copy of passport

Tips for a Successful Application

Strong Applicants

Strong applicants will demonstrate the following:

Above-average academic ability.
Proficiency in English.
Honesty and cooperation; good character and citizenship; respect for others.
Self-motivation, responsibility for their own success, and the ability to organize personal time.

Additionally, applicants have a stronger application if they enter St. Croix in grades 6–9 and are committed to earning a diploma from St. Croix Academy. The longer a student is in St. Croix's program, the greater the success rate of that individual student.

English Proficiency Requirements

Before a student is accepted into St. Croix's program, he/she must meet the English proficiency standard by one of the following methods:

Submitting any standard English test (for example, SSAT, TOEFL, IELTS, ELTiS, Eiken, etc.)
or
Participating in a phone/personal interview with our admissions staff
or
Showing a strong academic history of English coursework.

Non-Discrimination Policy

St. Croix Lutheran Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in its administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Competitive Admissions

St. Croix’s international program is competitive, not all qualified applicants will be accepted. The St. Croix admissions committee seeks a balance in representation with students from a variety of countries to create a living environment that facilitates developing conversational English. St. Croix does not discriminate according to race, gender, or heritage, but reserves the right to accept and decline applicants in a manner that leads to the most conducive learning environment for all students.

2. Acceptance

Next Steps to Enrollment

The St. Croix admissions team reviews the application and, if accepted, will send an email with the acceptance letter. Upon receiving the email, the student/family will send the $4,000 enrollment fee to reserve a place at St. Croix.

Upon receiving the $4,000 enrollment fee, St. Croix will send the following:

Acceptance letter (original hard copy)
Form I-20 from St. Croix Academy
Financial statement
A “next steps for enrollment” sheet

3. Visa Application

To apply for a non-immigrant student visa at a US Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence following these simple steps (source: https://visaguide.world/us-visa/how-to-apply-for-us-visa/):

Check if you need a visa.
Choose the type of US visa you will apply for.
Fill in Application Form DS-160.
Pay your application fee.
Schedule visa interview.
Compile the document file.
Attend the visa interview.
Wait for processing.

The documents needed at the Embassy are:

Passport
Acceptance letter
Form I-20 from St. Croix Academy
Receipts for any payments made
Proof of payment of $350 USD SEVIS I-901 fee
Proof of the family financial support
Proof of connections to home country after schooling is finished

When a visa is granted:

1. Inform St. Croix immediately.
2. Inform St. Croix of finalized flight and arrival arrangements as soon as they are made. All NEW international students are required to arrive at St. Croix in time for Orientation.

4. Arrival

It may be wise for students to come early for the English program and ensure success in regular English classes.

Option 1: English Camp and Bridge Camp

English Camp is a three-week camp for enrolled students and international groups and schools. The camp starts mid-July and is run by teachers at St. Croix. Students attend English classes in the morning, and experience city-wide activities in the afternoon.

Click here for more information about the English Camp and Group Visits
Following the English Camp is a one-week Bridge Camp.

Option 2: Bridge Camp Only

Bridge camp can be a continuation of English Camp, or students may choose to arrive for Bridge Camp only. Bridge Camp is a one-week program specifically for enrolled St. Croix students, and is structured the same as English Camp, with English classes in the morning, and activities in the afternoon.

Option 3: Regular Arrival

Students who do not wish to participate in summer English programs are required to arrive in time for orientation the week prior to the start of school.

International Tuition and Fees

25-26 Total International Tuition and Fees	$42,800
Tuition	$28,300
Residence Fee (includes meals)	$10,500
International Enrollment Fee (non-refundable; holds place at St. Croix)	$4,000

Additional Costs

Health Insurance

Health insurance is required, but not included in the enrollment fees. If students do not provide proof of accepted insurance within one week prior to arrival, St. Croix may purchase insurance (plus $100 processing fee) and bill the student appropriately.

Payment Procedures

Flywire

Payment is to be made in U.S. currency in the form of a bank draft or a wire transfer through Flywire.

NEW STUDENTS: Upon receiving the acceptance letter by email, the family must pay the 4,000 USD enrollment fee to hold the student’s place in the enrollment.

RETURNING STUDENTS: The $4,000 re-enrollment fee for returning students is non-refundable.

ALL STUDENTS: The remaining balance (tuition and residence fee) must be paid in full by July 31. Payment is to be made in U.S. currency in the form of a bank draft or a wire transfer through Flywire at http: //stcroixlutheran.flywire.com

In the event the student visa is denied, any tuition or residence fees already paid will be refunded. The enrollment fee is non-refundable. (Exception: Enrollment fee will be refunded with proper evidence showing proof of first and second visa denial.)

Students who enroll in St. Croix Academy are committed to attending for a minimum of one semester. Students who withdraw or transfer before this time will not be granted any refund of fees. If a student is asked by the administration to withdraw from St. Croix or if a student transfers, all tuition and residence fees for the current semester are non-refundable.

Residence Amenities

The residence fee includes the following:

Furnished room: Bed, mattress, desk, chair, mini refrigerator, mirror, laundry basket, trash can, clothes closet, mailbox
Meals: Monday-Friday (three meals per day plus afternoon snack); Saturday, Sunday, public holidays and some school vacations (brunch and dinner)
Linen: Blanket, one set of sheets and pillowcases, pillow
Facilities: Cash-operated washing machines and dryers, microwave, kitchenette, refrigerator, vending machines
Telephone: Students may arrange mobile phone service (i.e. T-Mobile) or Skype using St. Croix wireless.
Tutorial: Evening study period every weeknight; homework assistance upon request
Recreation: Student lounge, television, fitness room, gymnasium, outings planned by supervisors
Computers: Wireless internet connections in all rooms
Activities: Cultural and recreational activities, including museums and historical sites.
Transportation: Bussing is regularly provided to shopping malls, theaters, fitness activities, and MSP airport on specific arrival/departure days.

Student Bank Account

Next Steps

Activity Fees

75% of SCLA students are involved in co-curricular activities, and most are included in the cost of tuition. The following activities have an additional cost:

25-26 Other Fees
Bowling (Co-ed Fall and Girls Winter)	$135
Clay Target	$350
Golf	$250
Lacrosse	$600

*Fees are subject to change annually. Please check with the SCLA Activities Department during registration.
^Plus additional booster club fees.

Homestay Fees

School Vacations and Residence Closing Homestays

The student residence will be closed for the two-week winter break at the end of December/beginning of January. Many students return home during this time, however, if a student wishes to remain, a homestay can be arranged for a fee of 700 USD for the two-week winter break. Note: THIS AMOUNT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE RESIDENCE FEE.

Other Costs

Incidental Costs

Incidental costs for students average between $600-$1,000 USD and may include special activities, school supplies, laundry, personal items, and entertainment funds. Students may want spending money for personal items, school supplies, snacks, etc.

Laptop or Tablet Device

Students are required to bring a personal learning device. See enrollment forms for specifications.