<p class="ql-align-justify">Balboa School is a private, comprehensive, college-preparatory school in Escondido, California serving students in grades 1 -12. Balboa School students come from communities throughout Southern California, and the school is recognized for its personalized curriculum, dedicated staff, and modern facilities. Balboa School has created a student body that is culturally diverse with students coming from many different backgrounds. Balboa’s academics and committed staff attract international students from 15 countries, accounting for 53% of Balboa’s student population.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">The Balboa School’s athletic program directly addresses the root causes that result in highly-gifted, at-risk youth athletes becoming disengaged with academics – insecurity with subject matter, poor decision-making skills, and lack of motivation and positive reinforcement. The athletic program focuses on academic and technology readiness, social and emotional well-being, cultural diversity, creativity and leadership. We teach these gifted student-athletes how to successfully apply their in-play intelligence, discipline and creativity to their academic coursework, ultimately demonstrating that academic achievement and athletic success are not mutually exclusive.&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">Balboa School offers all 11th and 12th grade students individual college and career guidance with a school counselor. Counselors assist students in researching colleges that best meet their needs and interests, researching scholarship information, and filling out the appropriate applications.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify">The mission of Balboa School is to provide a diverse educational environment that promotes high academic standards, cultivates creativity, and builds the skills necessary for college, career and civic life.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><strong>Why Balboa School</strong></p><ul><li class="ql-align-justify"><u>Academics:</u>&nbsp;The academic program at Balboa School is driven by the highest possible learning expectations for students. The proficiency-based learning and graduation policies ensure that all students leave as highly literate and skilled graduates. During their high school career, students have access to multiple AP courses such as Physics, Statistics, Calculus AB/BC, English, Spanish, and Chinese. Most students take 3-4 AP Courses during their high school career here at Balboa School. A year-long, interdisciplinary Capstone project for Seniors culminates the secondary school experience. All learning experiences are academically rigorous and intended to prepare students for success in college, career, and civic life. Balboa School also offers ESL assessment and layered ESL support courses for international students who do not already have a high level of English proficiency.</li><li class="ql-align-justify"><u>College counseling:</u>&nbsp;Students receive an individualized, comprehensive approach to college counseling throughout their high school years. Based on their interests and skill set, counselors guide students in researching careers and choosing a college major that is right for them. Each student at Balboa School receives an account with Naviance, a comprehensive college and career readiness solution for middle and high schools that helps align student strengths and interests to post-secondary goals and improve student outcomes.</li><li class="ql-align-justify"><u>SAT preparation:</u>&nbsp;Balboa School has taken the approach that students should begin preparing for the SAT and PSAT in grade nine. The SAT emphasizes reading skills, grammar, vocabulary, mathematics, and writing skills. At Balboa School, students will focus on building college-level vocabulary, learning how to write specifically for the SAT writing section, and will continuously review the mathematics required to do well on the SAT. Much of the work is done in class, as part of the curriculum. The SAT exam is used to assess a student’s academic readiness for college. The SAT is the most widely used college admissions exam. Balboa School provides SAT preparation and guidance in the form of daily practice questions starting with easier skills and then building to more advanced levels as students become more proficient. To get ready for the SAT, some students take the PSAT or ReadiStep.</li></ul><p><br></p>