Hello! I have recently completed O Level from Pakistan and now my family plans to move to USA soon(most probably Penssylvania). The result is still to be out, though i am pretty confident that i will get A and A*s ( the highest grades possible). So when i move to USA, will I be enrolled in 11th grade in high school? I am currently 15 years old and about the time we move to US, i will be 16 years old at most. I am really confused and would really really be grateful for help and guidance!
My time I went to college after my O levels in the US.
Yes, that’s probably right.
If you have the option, you may want to enroll in an IB school. The two systems dovetail pretty well and an IB diploma is not only well regarded by US colleges, it can preserve some of your international optopns.
@gardenstategal So after arriving, will i have to give some sort of test to enroll in 11th grade (or IB school)? Or will they give me admission solely on the basis of my result?
If you’re talking about publics, you’d have to see what your school district offers, first off. If you can choose, you should research what different school districts offer.
Privates may be an option but cost and distance from home (if not boarding) would be the limiting factor.
Your public school options in the US will depend on where you live. If you live in a city there will be more options available to you and you may be able to pick an IB program, for example. If you move to a smaller town, you may not have that choice. My town only has one high school and it doesn’t offer IB.
^ Hence why I am asking if the OP has a choice on where they can live.
Are you constrained by where your parent(s) can/will work?
@PurpleTitan No there is no constraint…my study is the main priority and my parents will move wherever lies the best for me.
Public schools, I assume? Not privates? Then look for IB schools (though some regions would have few of them).
Or
If you want to stick with the British system (A-Levels), look for Cambridge AICE schools (most in the US are in Florida, for some reason).
Why is Pennsylvania the likely place to move to? Do you have family there?
Do your parents already have jobs waiting for them here?
What will your immigration status be?
Yes, there are colleges and universities in the US that admit students with O levels. If scroll down through this forum, you will find other threads on that topic.
Where I live in Maryland, you can be admitted to the community college with O levels. At least 5 subjects must be passed (as defined for preparation for post-secondary education) and must include English and Mathematics. For a family on a tight budget, two years at the CC, followed by two years at an in-state public U often works out to be a lot less money than other plans.
To look for places with Cambridge AICE high schools, check here:
https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/find-a-cambridge-school/?Location=United%20States
@happymomof1 , @PurpleTitan As there is still some time left for our move to US, I am going to be enrolled for A Level here till the time comes… So as I am probably going to arrive to US after studying for some time in A Levels, later on should I continue with A Levels in USA?? That would be the best for me?? Really really grateful for your help!!
Hard to tell what is “best” for you, but switching from A-Levels to AICE would be least disruptive.
As you probably know, with A-Levels, you typically study fewer subjects but in more depth than a typical American AP/honors HS student.
So A-Levels are good if you already have a decent idea what you want to study later on. Not as good for flexibility (though American colleges/unis offer a lot of flexibility in undergraduate education).
Depending on how close you are to finishing your A-levels, it might make best sense for your parents to move without you. They can get settled here while you stay behind to complete the exams before moving. I know it might not be possible for you to do that kind of thing, but keep it in mind. It also might be possible for you to move here with your parents, study independently (you might need to be formally considered to be home-schooling), and then return to your country to take your A-levels.
In most states, in order to take advantage of the public school system, you need to be enrolled before you turn 18. Once enrolled, you can remain in most public school systems until you complete the minimum graduation requirements for a full high school diploma or if not earning a diploma, until the end of the school year in which you turn 21.
An American high school would decide which grade to place you in through a combination of your age and how long it would take you to satisfy the graduation requirements. (You probably had English, math and science for your O-levels, but not subjects like US history, state history or civics.) 11th grade seems like the most likely placement for a 16-year-old.
American schools don’t typically bother with placement tests to decide grade levels because course choices are very flexible. E.g. a senior may be taking calculus for his math class or geometry. You’d probably be placed in specific courses after a conversation with the guidance counselor, and you’d probably be able to switch courses in the first week or two if it turns out that a course was above or below your current level.
Many foreign universities will admit American applicants based on AP exam scores; most medium and large public high schools will offer AP courses. Unless you think you may want to go to university in a country that accepts the IB exam but not AP scores, I wouldn’t worry about finding an American school with an IB program.
Lastly, I’m sure you’re already aware that a lot of things are working a bit differently because of coronavirus right now. E.g. the US is currently not admitting new immigrants (with a few exceptions) and most public schools are closed. Some public schools are trying to make up for missing March-May instruction by reopening early for the next school year. Others are planning to do mostly online instruction next school year to minimize the contact between students.
If it turns out that your new school district is not meeting your needs, your family may want to consider home schooling more seriously. (e.g. taking an online course to prepare for A-level exams)