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Boarding Secondary School in Ireland

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St Columba's College, Dublin:
Founded in 1843, St Columba's College is a co-educational boarding school of 300 pupils, aged 11 to 18, in a beautiful setting at the foothills of the mountains overlooking Dublin Bay. We are seven miles south of Dublin city centre. We do have local day pupils, but about 80% of pupils are seven-day boarders. The pursuit of academic excellence is the everyday priority of our highly qualified professional staff. There are 38 full-time members of the teaching staff for the 300 pupils, and the resulting overall pupil-to-staff ratio of under 10-to-1 means small classes and close individual attention. In regular formal staff meetings, individuals' academic problems are discussed. The academic progress of each pupil is at all times closely monitored.

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Photo of Boarding Secondary School in IrelandAcademic Excellence
The pursuit of academic excellence is the everyday priority of our highly qualified professional staff. There are 38 full-time members of the teaching staff for the 300 pupils, and the resulting overall pupil-to-staff ratio of under 10-to-1 means small classes and close individual attention. In regular formal staff meetings, individuals’ academic problems are discussed.

Form Structure
Form VI
Preparation for the Leaving Certificate.

Form V
The point of entry for pupils starting the Leaving Certificate course.

Form IV
A Transition Year Programme at this level concentrates upon a wide variety of academic subjects and deep experience of extra-curricular activities. There is considerable emphasis on drama, art, music and outward bound experience, careers guidance and future subject choice.

Form III
All pupils take the Junior Certificate in June of this year. An internal Scholarship is sat by selected candidates.

Form II
The normal point of entry from Preparatory Schools for boys and girls examined by the Common Entrance Examination.

Form I
A point of entry from Primary Schools for boys and girls examined by the Junior School Entrance Test.

Form Primary
An alternative point of entry from Primary Schools, also examined by the Junior School Entrance Test. The syllabus is similar to that of the top form of a Primary School but includes Latin and more French. It is a useful transition from overseas or from the fifth year of a Primary School to our curriculum, which looks for a strong foundation in languages and mathematics.

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See Also: - About
- Location
Address: Whitechurch, Dublin, Ireland
Some interested visitors submitting program inquiries to our school up to 2023-01-22 were from:

CT, USA; Naas; Alpharetta, USA; Oliva (VAlencia), Spain; San Francisco, USA; Bahrain; AlMarkh, Bahrain; Clinton, USA; London, UK / GB; and more.
Related Schools & Programs. Inquire to our admissions team today:
Rochester Independent College
Courses / Programs
Situated in Kent, just 35 minutes south-east of London, Rochester Independent College (RIC) is an alternative to conventional secondary education, and provides day programs (ages 11+) and boarding programs (ages 16+) to students from the U.K. and international students. About 65 of the College's 280 students are boarders.

The College has an atmosphere closer to university than school. We offer students the opportunity to thrive in an atmosphere of managed independence that acts as a stepping stone between school and university.

At RIC, there is no uniform, no bells ring and everybody is on first name terms. Students are encouraged to be themselves and achieve exam results that often exceed their expectations.

“My wife and I left RIC after our visit convinced it was the right move for our daughter. In fact, it’s the kind of school we both would have loved to have gone to ourselves.”
- Parent Testimonial
Alternative Secondary School Education:
- Day students ages 11+
- Boarding Students ages 16+ (GCSE Year 11 and Sixth Form students)

Academic Courses include:
- One or two-year A-level courses in Sixth Form
- One-year and two-year GCSE courses
- Retake programs – GCSE and A level
- Medical, Dental and Vet Science Programs
- Film and Media Studies
- Visual and Creative Art courses
- English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
Alexandra College
Courses / Programs
Alexandra College in Dublin, Ireland, was founded in 1866 and has a long and distinguished history in the field of education for women. The College is under Church of Ireland management and the Archbishop of Dublin acts as Chairman of the Council, which is the governing body. The staff and student body comprises many nationalities and religious traditions which combine to give the College its unique ethos. We are proud of the educational opportunities and community spirit of Alexandra College and are eager to share it with you. We would be delighted to welcome you to the College to see it for yourselves.
Secondary School Curriculum, Transition Year Programme
Wesley College, Dublin
Courses / Programs
Wesley College is a co-educational, day and boarding school with over 880 students. Founded in 1845 for the Methodist Community in Ireland, Wesley College combines all of the best traditions of the past with modern, state of the art facilities. While priority is given to students from the main Protestant denominations, the College prides itself on its inclusive community spirit and welcomes students of all faiths. Wesley College is committed to academic excellence. Students are offered a wide curriculum and taught by a professional and dedicated staff. We also offer a range of extra-curricular and sporting activities in the belief that these assist a sound general education and contribute to the whole person. The College boasts outstanding facilities on a large site at the foot of the Dublin mountains, providing the ideal environment for students in our care.
The curriculum comprises the following components: Preparatory Class (Equivalent to sixth standard in the primary school), Junior Cycle Programme (a three year course leading to the Junior Certificate examination), Senior Cycle Programme (Form IV - Transition Year: a one-year programme removed from the pressures of State examinations), Leaving Certificate Course: a two-year course leading to the Leaving Certificate examination).
Bellerbys College
Courses / Programs
The UK’s No. 1 choice for international students – More international students choose to study at Bellerbys College than any other college or school in the UK.

Bellerbys College has over 55 years’ experience in successfully preparing international students for university in the UK, delivering consistently excellent academic results and progressing students to top Universities with outstanding progression rates across all programmes.

Our specialist colleges in Oxford, Cambridge and London and our modern boarding school in Brighton offer excellent state-of-the-art facilities and expert, specialist teachers. We attract students from all over the world, from as young as 13 because of our outstanding results and the college’s modern and stimulating environment.

We aim to educate young people to the highest academic standard, in a safe, enjoyable and friendly environment that enables students to fulfill their academic potential and achieve their personal goals.
Colleges in Brighton, Cambridge, London and Oxford.

Available courses include:

Pre-GCSE and 1 Year GCSE

GCSE Pathway Programme

A-Level Programme

Foundation Pathways:
- Art and Design
- Business, Finance and Management
- Business with Law
- Business with Marketing
- Chemical Engineering
- Engineering & Computer Science
- Humanities
- Law
- Management & Computing Systems Foundation
- Media
- Science and Pharmacy

Undergraduate Year 1 in Business and Management

Pre-Masters Programme

IELTS Express

English Language Preparation Programme

Bellerbys Summer School
Headfort School
Courses / Programs
A non-denominational day and boarding private school in Co. Meath Ireland for boys and girls aged 4-13, Headfort is situated in stunning parkland just outside the ancient town of Kells (in the eastern region of Ireland, close to Dublin).

We provide an outstanding all-round education centered on individuality and academic excellence.

Children may board from 3rd Form and this encourages an internationally diverse student body with pupils from Spain, France, Mexico, Germany, Russia and many other countries regularly joining for one or several terms. Flexi (maximum 2 nights a week) and ‘ sleep-overs’ for day pupils are welcomed.​

Students are regularly prepared for entry and scholarships to leading secondary schools in the locality and around Ireland and the UK.
Primary Education Programmes:
The Irish Curriculum and Common Entrance Curriculum

- JUNIOR INFANTS – 2ND FORM
- 3RD FORM – 6TH FORM

Boarding available for children from 9 years - 13 years.
Rathdown School for Girls, Dublin
Courses / Programs
Rathdown School is a private day and boarding girls' school located in Glenageary in south county Dublin, on the east coast of Ireland. We provide 5-day and 7-day boarding for 12-18 year olds in our senior school.

Founded in 1973, Rathdown was built on the proud traditions of four original schools: The Hall School, Hillcourt School, Park House School and Glengara Park School.

Rathdown currently has around 600 girls enrolled - 400 in the Senior School and 200 in the Junior School. Class sizes rarely exceed 25, so it is possible to give individual attention and to develop the special abilities and interests of each student.

The school enjoys a superb location and setting. The 16 acre site is set back from the road on a hill overlooking the sea and with inland views of the Wicklow mountains.

Being a boarding school and welcoming students of all nationalities, helps to promote an awareness of cultural diversity in our community where mutual understanding and respect prevail.

Parent Testimonial:
"She has enjoyed herself immensely and at the same time progressed academically. It has been a great experience. It has been great at all levels."
- Ruth Cosgrove (Second Year Parent) – Ireland / Spain
5 & 7-day Boarding for Girls ages 12-18:

- Irish and international students

- Our senior school offers Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Programs.
 
- We are committed to providing an education of the highest standard, so that our students develop the skills and character to do well in State Examinations and more importantly, become life-long learners.

- An extensive range of pastoral, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are provided.