RUSSIAN
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is the tuition per year?
Our yearly tuition fee is currently $19800. The fee is paid per semester in rubles in accordance with the current dollar rate.
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Are there any additional fees?
There are no additional fees for our general education program. Additional programs such as NILD therapy and the after-school 3H Club are charged separately.
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Can I receive discounts or any other financial aid?
Financial aid is considered only after a student has been enrolled and a financial aid application has been completed. Funds are limited, and current students receive priority when applying for financial aid. The distribution of funds is at the discretion of the President.
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Which documents do I need to apply?
Application Form – Complete an application form available upon request at admissions@hinksonca.net
Placement Test – To help determine the appropriate grade level for student placement, a recent standardized test and report cards must be received, or the school may administer a placement test.
English Proficiency Test – Students whose first language is not English must take an English Proficiency Test. There is a fee for this test.
Interview – You will be advised if an interview is necessary and an appointment will be scheduled.
Evaluation – Once all required forms have been received and any necessary testing has been completed, the application packet will be evaluated. Based upon this information, as well as the availability of space, the decision will be made concerning enrollment.
Notification – Parents will be informed as soon as possible regarding enrollment applications, but usually not prior to May 15th. Normally notification will be sent by e-mail. Please direct any inquires to the school registrar at admissions@hinksonca.net -
Do you provide lunches for students?
No. Students bring lunches from home. Microwaves are available for reheating food.
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Do you provide transportation from the metro?
No. HCA is a short ten-minute walk from Profsoyuznaya Metro.
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Do you have a dormitory or extended stay groups?
No.
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What are your extracurricular classes and when do you hold them?
We have sports (soccer, badminton, basketball, fitness) and a theater troupe. The students meet for practice after the 7th period or before school. It depends, but on average practice ends around 5-6 pm. We also have enrichment classes that are part of the school curriculum. These include chess, hand chimes, taekwondo, public speaking, and choir.
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What language do the students and staff speak at school?
We have an English-only policy during the school day. The children are not allowed to speak any other languages to the teachers or to each other the entire time while they are on the school premises. The purpose of the “English-only” rule is to help our English language learners develop their English skills while fully immersed in the language.
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How many native speakers do you have in each class?
There are generally 30-40% of native speakers in each class, but the numbers may vary from year to year. The remaining students come from around Russia and the world. This year our community represents 14 different nationalities.
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Does my child need to take any exams to enroll in your school?
Yes, we do require all non-native English speakers (except children who apply for Kindergarten) to take a standardized language proficiency test. Higher levels of English ability are required in higher grades in order to ensure academic success. We have a strict policy about the number of ESL students per class, and the successful completion of the test does NOT mean automatic enrollment. The admissions committee makes enrollment decisions based on a number of factors, only one of which is language proficiency. Placement tests may also be required for math placement in high school.
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How much is the ESL test?
Currently, the cost of the ESL test is 3000 rubles per student.
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Are all your teachers native-speakers?
The majority of our teachers are natives English speakers. The rest of our faculty are qualified English-speaking teachers who have a full command of the language.
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When does school year usually begin?
The school year usually starts in the second part of August.
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When do you have school breaks?
We have a quarterly system, which means there are 4 quarters per year and 2 semesters – fall and spring. We have summer break from approximately June 1st till the middle of August. Winter break is three weeks over Christmas and the New Year. Spring break lasts a week in the end of March. We also observe all the state holidays in Russia, including the International Women’s Day on March 8th and the Defender of the Motherland Day on February 23rd.
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What is the size of classes?
We keep our classes small, so the maximum number of students in the Elementary school does not exceed 10 students. The maximum class size in middle school and high school is 15 students.
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What COVID-19 measures is the school taking?
Both students and staff wear masks at all times, the surfaces are disinfected, the rooms are well ventilated, and the students are seated at a safe distance from each other. There are antibacterial lamps in each classroom. We ensure that everyone who doesn’t feel well goes home and takes PCR tests. Temperatures are taken of all staff, students, and visitors upon arrival.
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Do you accept students in the last grade?
No, we do not accept students into the 12th grade.
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What age should my child be to enroll in a particular grade?
Kindergarten – 5 years old by June 1st
1st grade – 6 years old by June 1st
2nd grade – 7 years old by September 1st
3rd grade – 8 years old by September 1st
4th grade – 9 years old by September 1st
5th grade – 10 years old by September 1st
6th grade – 11 years old by September 1st
7th grade – 12 years old by September 1st
8th grade – 13 years old by September 1st
9th grade – 14 years old by September 1st
10th grade – 15 years old by September 1st
11th grade – 16 years old by September 1st
We do not accept students into our program for just the 12th grade year.