Boarding High School in Tucson, AZ

Fenster School, Tucson:
Founded in 1944, Fenster School is a coeducational, college preparatory, boarding and day school in Tucson, Arizona, enrolling students in grades 9 through Post-graduate from across the country and around the world. We educate students in a healthy, safe, and structured environment where intellectual, social, and emotional learning are equally valued and each individual can realize their potential, grow in self-confidence, and develop an active sense of responsibility in preparation for college and life.

Co-ed Boarding & Day School Programs for students in Grades 9-12:
Fenster offers a challenging college preparatory program with high expectations for not only academic achievement, but also for significant intellectual growth. As students proceed through our curriculum, they develop both breadth and depth of knowledge and the skills necessary for success in college and in life in an ever-changing global world.

Since our faculty members are continually trained to be innovative and creative, the learning environment is very active and engaging. They employ a multiplicity of teaching strategies that meet the diverse learning styles and needs of each of our students.

Given our small, supportive classrooms, each student is deeply involved in their own learning. The result of this lively academic environment is confident and inquisitive students who take pride in their achievements.

Fenster’s graduation requirements meet or exceed most college and university entrance requirements.

Earning College Credit:
Fenster School, in collaboration with Pima Community College, offers dual enrollment classes on campus for college credit. College classes at Fenster are taught by faculty members who are college certified to teach particular courses. Students will earn .5 high school credits for every college semester successfully completed and, depending on the college class, 3 or 4 college units.

Students earning an A, B, or C in any of the dual enrollment classes may have the earned college credits apply towards their college/university graduation requirements. Qualified students earn an average of 12 to 15 credits with some students earning over 21 credits during their junior and senior years.
 
Learning Support:
At Fenster, we believe each student learns differently and a range of learning styles is both appreciated and enriching. Our faculty members participate in continual professional development to strengthen and to expand their repertoire of the learning tactics and activities they deliver in their classrooms. Consequently, we provide learning support as needed so all students can realize academic success.

Students with documented learning differences are eligible for special accommodations and work closely with the Dean of the School to ensure that their accommodations are available in their classes.

In addition, Fenster also offers: an average class size of 5 to 8 students; a variety of teaching methods in each class; required tutorial support for students experiencing academic difficulty; required Academic Tables during evening study hall. If additional learning support is necessary, the Dean of the School assists a family in identifying local learning specialists.

English as a Second Language:
The ESL Program at Fenster provides English language instruction and support for non-native speakers of English. The program is designed to enable students to take English-only classes as soon as possible.

Every non-native speaker of English who applies for admission to Fenster School will be evaluated both before and after admission to determine their individual language needs. Prior to admission this evaluation ensures that our program can meet the academic requirements of each student. Post-admission evaluation assesses oral and written skills and allows us to place each student in the most appropriate level of ESL instruction.

Students who need additional instruction for their English skills will be placed in one of two levels of ESL and, whenever possible, these classes are arranged as private tutorials so each student’s English language needs are dealt with on an individual basis.

Students also take other classes at the same time they are taking ESL and the ESL teachers coordinate with the teachers of other subject areas to ensure that each student is working on the skills they need for success in their regular courses.

As soon as it is feasible, international students are moved into regular English classes in order to prepare for college. TOEFL test preparation is an integral part of all ESL courses as it is a requirement for university admission.

College Counseling:
Fenster School is committed to finding the best college or university match for each student’s individual abilities and desires.

The college counselor works with every student to determine that their coursework, grades, essays, college entrance exams, activities, and recommendation letters are appropriate for their choices and will help each student research and apply to the selected institutions. The counselor involves parents in every step of the process and hopes that all will participate in this journey with their children.

The College Counseling Center offers an abundance of resources for students, including books, guides, magazines, handouts, DVDs , Internet access, and practice college entrance tests. Many of the materials may be checked out and students may also use the Center for research.

Each year, upperclassmen are taken on tours of local universities, including the University of Arizona. They are also able to attend college fairs and presentations on and off campus from admissions representatives from across the country.

Fenster offers students the opportunity to prepare, register, and take the:
PSAT/NMSQT, SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).