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International

This is Orono High School. We are education.

WHY ORONO?
  • Orono High School ranks in the top 5% of public schools in the US.
  • The US News and World Report and the Niche Report ranked Orono High School in the Top 10 schools in Maine.
  • Graduate after one year of study in grade 12.
  • Live with a host family (OHS staff do the host family placements).
  • Orono High School students can take a course at The University of Maine.
  • OHS International graduates are automatically conditionally accepted the The University of Maine with a $12,000 scholarship.
  • Orono is safe. Maine is the safest state in America.
  • Orono High School is SEVIS-approved to issue I-20’s for an F-1 visa.
  • Orono High School offers 26 AP classes: 14 in class, and 12 online.
  • Orono High School is Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
  • Orono High School offers a diverse international program–be a part of something unique! In the 2017-18 school year, there are 14 international students from 11 countries, including: China, Finland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam
  • Orono High School students receive a free MacBook Air for their studies.

“You can’t imagine how nice teachers are. They helped me both in study and life and encouraged me when I felt bad. They made me want to go to school everyday!”

– Judi Yi, now studying at St. Lawrence University

 

ABOUT ORONO HIGH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL

Orono High School is accepting applications from international students who would like to spend their Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior year studying at a premier public high school. (That’s grade 9, 10, 11, or 12–generally, ages 14-18.) Our program is designed to give students an early college experience and to expose them to life as an American high school student. Carefully designed course schedules; a safe environment; interaction with the local community; and opportunities for volunteering, the arts, and athletics make Orono High School a great place to be. For more information, contact our Director of the International Program, Mrs. Mackenzie Hanson at mhanson@rsu26.org

 

WHO CAN APPLY?

Students who want to study in America for one year for grade 9, 10, 11 or 12 can apply to Orono High School. If you apply for grade 12, you are eligible to graduate and receive an Orono High School Diploma.  If you apply for grade 9, 10 or 11, we will help you transfer to a private high school after 1 year, or you can return home. In the 2017-18 school year, our 14 international students are a mix of students in grades 11 and 12. Seven of our graduating international students will go on to US universities, for which we offer individual college counseling. 

WHERE IS ORONO HIGH SCHOOL?
Orono High School is located in central Maine in the town of Orono, about 3.5 hours north of Boston. Although the population of Orono is only 11,000 people, the opportunities are abundant. Located 1km from OHS and accessible by public transport, walking, or biking is The University of Maine, Maine’s flagship university and home to 12,000 students. OHS students benefit from all that the university has to offer–top ranked recreation facilities, concerts and events, sporting events, the state’s largest library, and courses…OHS students can take a course at The University of Maine. A short 10-minute drive will get you to Maine’s second largest city, Bangor. The city of Bangor has plenty of shopping and entertainment, as well as things you need such as hospitals and a convenient international airport…and don’t forget, it’s where author Steven King lives!
The state of Maine is known as “Vacationland” because it hosts so many visitors. If you enjoy lobsters and blueberries, Maine’s the place for you! It’s beautiful during all four seasons–winter, spring, summer and fall. Maine is known for its glorious coastline and its vast wilderness. If you’re lucky, you might see a moose! The town of Orono is one hour from Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park. Orono’s safety, welcoming community, and academic focus make it the ideal place to study.
TYPES OF STUDENTS FOR ORONO HIGH SCHOOL
Students who do well at Orono High School are those seeking an adventure–they want to explore a new place on their own. Studying abroad is a risk, and our teachers know that. We want you to feel comfortable while expanding your horizons. Past students have come to Orono High School with the following backgrounds and/or goals:
  • They want to study at a US university, but want one year of high school to improve their English, receive help on their college applications, and get used to the US education system.
  • They were on a J-1 visa for grade 11, and wish to stay in the US for grade 12. Yes, international students can earn their Orono High School diploma after one year of studying at OHS. Orono students are on an F-1 student visa.
  • They want a gap year. Not sure what you want to do? Studying at Orono High School for one year is a productive way to spend the year. A lot of our Dutch students, for example, finished their HAVO year and decided to study at OHS for another year.
  • They want to experience a new culture and/or improve their English. Some countries, such as Denmark, won’t give students credit for their year at a US high school. Students from those countries come simply for the experience. And guess what? We love that! We’ll do our best to assign you courses that will prepare you to return to your home country.
  • They want to live with a host family, and most private schools only have dorms. Sometimes, students come to OHS for grade 9, 10, or 11 knowing they will transfer to a private school to finish their high school career. Why? Because OHS offers host families, a small and diverse international program, and they’ve heard from family and friends how much support OHS teachers give their students.
RECENT COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
Boston University, Harvard University, Stanford University, UC-Berkeley, Purdue University, University of Cambridge, Dartmouth College, University of Maine, University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, New York University, Simmons College, St. Lawrence University, Georgia Tech, Tufts University, UCLA, and more!
QUESTIONS? Contact Mrs. Mackenzie Hanson, mhanson@rsu26.org