The Bush SchoolAnnouncements
Semester Away and Year Abroad Opportunities
Dear Bush Upper School Families,
The Bush School encourages students to explore learning beyond the classroom and sometimes, beyond campus. Semester Away and Year Abroad programs offer Upper School students a chance to deepen their independence, engage with new communities, and experience learning through courage and curiosity. Please read below of the details and opportunities coming up.
The Bush School encourages students to explore learning beyond the classroom and sometimes, beyond campus. Semester Away and Year Abroad programs offer Upper School students a chance to deepen their independence, engage with new communities, and experience learning through courage and curiosity. Please read below of the details and opportunities coming up.
We’re excited to welcome four partner programs to campus this fall to share their unique offerings with interested Ninth and Tenth Grade students. Admissions representatives from The School for Ethics and Global Leadership, the High Mountain Institute, Maine Coast Semester, and Alzar School will visit on Friday, November 14, during the Upper School lunch period and conference block. If your child is considering a study away experience, please encourage them to attend.
Eligibility and Process
Study Away opportunities are open to rising Tenth and Eleventh Grade students only. Interested students must complete an internal Bush application and meet with Upper School Director Ingrid Gustavson before applying to any external program. This conversation helps ensure a smooth experience by reviewing academic progress, expectations, and graduation requirements.
All materials, including curriculum guides and course descriptions from the host program, must be submitted to the Upper School Office. Students who do not follow this process will not be considered for a study away program.
Space and Selection
Bush allocates budget space each year for up to four students to study away. If interest exceeds availability, priority will be given to students in good academic and behavioral standing.
Cost
In the past, the school required that families continue to pay Bush tuition while a student was away from campus. This was necessary in order to continue to cover the associated sunk staffing costs the school must absorb based on anticipated enrollment. As the school has grown, and Semester/Year Away programs have become an option for more students at Bush, the school has been able to develop a policy that provides greater flexibility for families while still offering the school some financial certainty moving into the academic year.
- Semester Away: families will pay 25% of the cost of tuition for the semester away and the full amount of tuition for the semester they return to Bush.
- Full Year Away: families will pay a more significant enrollment deposit (30%) for the year their student studies away from campus to hold the students’ space to return to Bush the following school year. Billing for both options will follow Bush’s regular billing cycle and deadlines. During their year away, students will be withdrawn and will re-enroll upon their return with confirmation of good academic standing.
If a student receives financial aid from Bush, the aid grant will be prorated and applied to the portion of the year the student is on campus. No portion of the aid grant will be transferred to the study away program. However, all of the study away programs that we are connected to offer their own financial aid opportunities, and families interested in financial assistance for study away programs can apply through the specific program to cover the costs of their time away.
If you have any questions about this policy change or are interested in considering a semester program in the future please feel free to Director of Programs, Methow Campus & Semester School Alexa Adams.
Warmly,
Head of School Sarah Smith
Methow Campus & Semester School Alexa Adams
Warmly,
Head of School Sarah Smith
Methow Campus & Semester School Alexa Adams
The Bush School is an independent day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 745 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status