THE OUTDOOR ACADEMY OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS Eagle's Nest Foundation APPLICATION MATERIALS AND ADMISSIONS INFORMATION Fall 2010 – Spring 2011 This Packet Contains: Admissions information including the specifics of tuition, financial aid, when and how to apply, and a tentative semester calendar The application for admission Two teacher or advisor recommendation forms A list of Outdoor Academy sending schools, member schools, and alumni A completed application should include: ___ The application for admission ___ Essay question responses ___ A one-page personal collage ___ A copy of the applicant’s school transcript (grades from the past 2 years) ___ Two sealed teacher recommendations ___ A copy of a graded English or history essay Application Deadline: February 15, 2010 Applications after February 15 will be considered on a rolling admission basis. Applicants whose files are complete by February 15, 2010, will be notified of our admissions decision by March 15, 2010. Your completed application should be sent directly to The Outdoor Academy. For more information, please contact: Admissions Director The Outdoor Academy 43 Hart Road Pisgah Forest, North Carolina 28768 Telephone: 828-877-4349 Facsimile: 828-884-2788 [email protected] www.enf.org Eagle’s Nest Foundation is an equal opportunity educational and recreational provider that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disabling condition or sexual orientation. We include people of all abilities on an individual basis with regard to our wilderness programs in mountainous terrain. THE OUTDOOR ACADEMY OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS Eagle's Nest Foundation ADMISSION INFORMATION Fall Semester: August 28, 2010 – December 18, 2010 Spring Semester: January 15, 2011 – May 14, 2011 Who Should Apply: The Outdoor Academy has accepted high school sophomores, as well as select freshmen and juniors, from over 200 public and private schools. We seek students who are looking for an exciting experience, who have demonstrated a commitment to high academic standards, who are ready to be challenged, and who seek new ways of learning and working with others. Our students desire a unique experience of living and learning in a community-centered environment in the rich natural world of the Southern Appalachians. Enrollment Costs: Tuition, room and board for the 2010-2011 school year is $18,500 per semester ($11,000 tuition, $7,500 room and board). This is equivalent to approximately one-half of a typical boarding school’s annual cost. Upon acceptance, students are asked to return a signed Enrollment Agreement form. A $750 deposit (which is applied to the tuition and is non-refundable) is due two weeks after acceptance. Tuition does not include the required tuition refund insurance plan with A.W.G. Dewar, Inc, which is 4% ($740) of the comprehensive tuition/room/board fee. This plan is intended to protect the financial interest of enrolled students and their parents. Contact The Outdoor Academy office for further details. Financial Aid: We wish to make The Outdoor Academy available to the widest possible range of students. Typically, 30-40 percent of our students receive some financial assistance, with individual awards covering between 5 and 85 percent of costs. The average family contribution to enrollment costs is expected to be approximately $15,350 during the coming school year. We work together with interested families to create payment plan options and aid packages to help make enrollment possible. Contributions made to The Outdoor Academy Scholarship Fund help to provide this financial aid and keep tuition low. Financial aid applications are reviewed after a student is accepted and awards are based primarily on need. In order to fairly assess a family’s ability to pay, The Outdoor Academy uses the forms and analysis system of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). SSS forms are available in many independent school admissions offices and can be obtained by contacting us. In addition to need-base financial aid, a limited number of merit scholarships are granted each year. Merit Scholarships are awarded to applicants who demonstrate outstanding achievement or experience in the areas of academic work, community service, and leadership. Other Expenses: Each student will establish a $350 school store account with The Outdoor Academy to cover the cost of books (about $150), and other personal, school, and miscellaneous expenses. Admissions: Decisions for applications submitted by February 15, 2010 will be announced by March 15, 2010. Space may still be available after the February admissions deadline, so interested students who miss the deadline are encouraged to contact the admissions office. If you are applying from a non-member school, please let us know if you would like an Outdoor Academy representative to be in touch with your school to address questions or concerns. TENTATIVE SCHOOL CALENDAR 2010-2011 Fall Semester, 2010 Spring Semester, 2011 Sat., August 28 Students arrive between 9:30 a.m. and Sat., January 15 Students arrive between 9:30 a.m. and noon noon September 17 – 19 Outdoor Program Weekend February 4 – 6 Outdoor Program Weekend September 23 - 26 Parents Weekend February 25 – 27 Outdoor Program Weekend October 4 – 11 Wilderness Expedition March 4 - 13 Spring Break October 22 - 24 Outdoor Program Weekend March 4 Mid-term Grades and October 22 Mid-term Grades and Reports Mailed Reports Mailed March 13 Family Day / Meeting November 3 - 7 Wilderness Expedition March 23 - 27 Wilderness Expedition November 20 – 28 Thanksgiving Vacation April 4 - 11 Wilderness Expedition December 3 - 5 Outdoor Program Weekend April 22 – 24 Outdoor Program Weekend Sat., December 18 Fall Semester Ends April 27 – 29 OASES December 22 Final Grades and Sat., May 14 Spring Semester Ends Comments Mailed May 20 Final grades and Comments Mailed Please place THE OUTDOOR ACADEMY your photo here to OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS personalize your Eagle's Nest Foundation application. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION: 2010 - 2011 Student's Full Name ______________________________________________________________ Date _____________________ Male ___ Female ___ Birthdate _____________ Present grade in school _______ Name you go by _________________________ Home Address __________________________________________________________ Phone_____________________________ City _______________________________State ________ Zip _________ Student E-mail _______________________________ Your School's Name ___________________________________________ Advisor's Name _______________________________ School Address _______________________________________________ Advisor's Phone ______________________________ City ____________________________________ State ________ Zip ___________ Phone _______________________________ Both parents living? _______ Together? _________ If separated, where does student reside? ______________________________ Parent/Guardian’s Name ________________________________________________ Occupation __________________________ Address (if different from applicant) ____________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________________________ State ______________ Zip______________ Home Phone __________________ Work Phone ______________ Cell _____________ E-mail ____________________ Parent/Guardian’s Name ________________________________________________ Occupation __________________________ Address (if different from applicant) ____________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________________________ State ______________ Zip______________ Home Phone __________________ Work Phone ______________ Cell _____________ E-mail ____________________ How did you learn about The Outdoor Academy?_________________________________________________________________ APPLYING FOR: [ ] I could attend either semester [ ] Fall Semester [ ] Spring Semester Reason for semester choice: __________________________________________________________________________________ List the courses you are taking this year and specify level where it's appropriate: Course __________________________ level _____ Course __________________________ level _____ Course __________________________ level _____ Course __________________________ level _____ Course __________________________ level _____ Course __________________________ level _____ Describe your school’s academic year: Bi-mester Trimester Block Other ______________________ What courses do you plan to take next year at The Outdoor Academy? (This is not a final course sign-up.) 1) English (required) 2) Natural Science (required) 3) Physical Education/Outdoor Leadership (required) 4) Math (circle one): Alg. I, Geom., Alg. II, Pre Calc., Trig 5) Language: Spanish Level ___, French Level ___, Other:______ (Other languages may be accommodated through private arrangement) 6) History/Social Studies (circle one): Environmental Seminar or World History 7) Music, Art, or Appalachian Craft (required: students select among numerous courses offered each semester) *If you are required to take a course that is not listed above, please write it here ________________________________. I. Please answer the following questions on separate paper. (Typed answers are preferred.) A. Why do you wish to attend The Outdoor Academy, and what do you hope to gain from the experience? B. Tell us about an academic experience that excited you and made you want to explore