US & RAF Menwith Hill Families - Ashville, Harrogate

JOINING ASHVILLE

Ashville is the only school in Northern England accredited by NEASC and able to offer the US High School Diploma.

At Ashville College, Harrogate we warmly welcome all American children and families including those who are part of the NATO RAF Menwith Hill Community. Our 70-acre campus in the centre of Harrogate is ideally located less than 10 miles from RAF Menwith Hill.

Whether your child is starting their journey with us from the very beginning or joining midway through their education, we are here to support them in every way, helping them succeed and grow. We nurture each child, and celebrate their unique strengths, from age 2 to 18. We are large enough to offer extensive academic and co-curricular opportunities but small enough to individually prepare each pupil for a rapidly changing world. We truly understand the unique needs and aspirations of American families living in the UK.Enquire Now

01423 800500
admissions@ashville.co.uk

Our dedicated team, led by the Directors of US Studies, helps you navigate the transition between the US and British education systems. Seamless transfers between schooling systems means if you are staying for the short term or making a permanent move to the UK we are best equipped to support your family. Enjoy the best of both worlds with a traditional British school experience at the only NEASC-accredited high school in Northern England. Study the US high school curriculum in Yorkshire.

Accreditation and History

Since 2015 Ashville has been welcoming US families with open arms. We have a healthy number of US children in every year resulting in a shared culture and understanding across the school. Our American families feel at home.

We are a member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). NEASC is a US accreditation body focused on “partnering with schools around the world to promote learner-centered education for all children and develop the understandings, aptitudes, dispositions, values, and competencies they need to become successful and responsible citizens of the world.” NEASC regularly visits to celebrate best practices at the school.

As well as successfully helping American pupils gain the appropriate educational requirements to return to education in the US, the US International Studies programme can also help both UK and international pupils, should they wish to study in the US at an American university.

Popular college and university destinations for US pupils have included a variety of prestigious American institutions including Cornell, the University of Virginia, University of Colorado, Penn State University, Northwestern University, Brigham Young University, University of Maryland, Northeastern University, University of Central Florida and the US top Art and Design College, which is in Savannah, Georgia.

Prep (Elementary) School

For younger children ages 2-11, in Prep and Pre-Prep, we offer a global, inclusive curriculum that highlights stories and learning experiences from all around the world, encouraging a global perspective.

We offer an excellent phonics and reading program to ensure Ashville children from all educational backgrounds can thrive academically.

Our experienced staff have a cultural awareness to ensure children feel included from day one of arriving at the school.

We are fortunate to have a welcoming parental body inclusive of other American families to help you settle into the British education system.

At Ashville we pride ourselves on our welcoming and inclusive community where families feel valued and supported. We offer numerous events, workshops, and opportunities for parents to engage, creating lasting connections with staff and fellow families.

Senior (Middle and High) School

A Personalized Path to Academic Success
Our curriculum is carefully tailored to meet US college and high school standards:

Ashville pupils receive US transcripts and graduate with a High School Diploma.
· A specialized US History GCSE course ensures students meet US credit requirements.
· Additional math lessons prepare students for the SAT and align with US high school math standards.

Personalized Timetables and Education Plans

Custom lesson schedules ensure smooth transitions for students coming from US schools.
Students can study AP courses online, during school hours or outside of them, giving them extra flexibility

Comprehensive College and University Guidance
We provide expert guidance to help students confidently plan their academic future, including:

US College counselling, alongside UK university support, so students can explore all their options.
· Assistance with the PSAT for financial aid applications.
· Access to SAT and AP test centres directly at our school.

Accredited US High School Diploma
Ashville is proud to be the only school in Northern England accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This globally recognised accreditation assures families of our commitment to excellence, allowing our students to graduate with an official US High School Diploma.

Support for Children with Additional Needs

At Ashville we have a proactive approach to pastoral care which develops positive, confident pupils who possess high levels of resilience.

Our dedicated Special Educational Needs Department provides personalized support to children with unique requirements, focusing on their academic and emotional wellbeing during their transition to British education. We ensure that every child feels understood, supported, and prepared to thrive in their new environment. We use an experienced team who understand 504 Plans and IEPs so children can transition seamlessly to the British system.

An Enriching Experience for Families

At Ashville, we pride ourselves on our welcoming and inclusive community where families feel valued and supported. We offer numerous events, workshops, and opportunities for parents to engage, creating lasting connections with staff and fellow families.

Events and Engagement Opportunities

Our staff and parents are on hand to support the settling in process and ease each pupil into their year group with in-class support

Regular events that bring together students and parents to celebrate achievements.
A US-style High School Graduation ceremony streamed to families abroad, ensuring that milestones are memorable.

Parent-Centred Communication

Our Director of US Studies is available to support American families in Senior School, while a US Primary Liaison helps parents in Prep and Pre-Prep.
Meetings with specialist staff to explain the UK education system and assist with the transition.

Excellence You Can Trust

Our dedicated staff undergoes comprehensive training to support the unique needs of US students and families.
· Regular NEASC reports and inspections help us maintain the highest standards.
· By their Sophomore year, most students will have earned 22 high school honours credits.

Activities, Sports and Basketball

There are over 150 clubs and activities each week at Ashville from Dance and Debating to Soccer and Swimming. We are also fortunate to have a former American professional basketball player in the school’s sports’ department. Voise Winters, who spent a season playing with the Philadelphia 76ers, has been coaching pupils at Ashville for the past 5 years. At the height of his career, he faced Michael Jordan on the court! Illinois-born Coach Winters, who stands 6ft 8in (2.03m) tall, played basketball both in high school and college before joining the National Basketball Association (NBA) side in 1985, where he appeared four times for the world-famous team. From leaving the Philadelphia 76ers and until his retirement in 2001, Voise played for 18 different teams around mainly in Spain, France and England, including a spell with the Sheffield Sharks. Pupils throughout the school play basketball as part of their sports curriculum and we have two sets of outdoor basketball goals for the pupils to use both in lessons and in their breaktimes. Regular fixtures for girls, boys and mixed teams take place across the region.

Four children in school uniforms stand on stone steps in the foreground, with a large stone building and a clock tower in the background.

Christian Baker, Director of US Studies - Senior School and Sixth Form

Christian works hard to make the transition to Ashville a seamless process for our American families. He is also a Teacher of Maths, having studied Maths and Physics at University College London. Following various teaching roles in the UK and Hong Kong, Christian worked in the USA as Assistant Head of Middle School at the British International School of Chicago (BISC). Students there follow the IGCSE curriculum and IB Diploma Programme, and most go on to US colleges. This gave him an valuable insight into the US college application process which he brings to his role at Ashville.

Christian holds a unique position in the school. The American and British systems are very different in their approach to education and he has a niche set of skills and knowledge to offer from his time at BISC, which has successfully married the two systems together for over 20 years.

Ashville is the only school in northern England accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) to offer the High School Diploma, which is a requirement for US, UK or international pupils wanting to study in the US and is sought after by many American employers. Christian has the experience of the accreditation process as the school where he worked in Hong Kong was also NEASC accredited.

JENNY TROPIA, Director of US Studies - PREP SCHOOL

Jenny is the US parent liaison in Acorns Early Years and Prep School. She is also a Year 4 Class Teacher. She is the main point of contact for families of American pupils aged 2 to 11 who need advice or support. She works alongside Christian and our partners at NEASC (the New England Association of Schools and Colleges) to ensure the support we offer meets everyone’s needs and to align the curriculum work we do in Prep with the recommendations of the NEASC inspection report.

“Ashville has a very inviting and friendly community and I found it fairly easy to blend in with the school environment when I first came. Having such a small year group was definitely a change, as I was used to big classes feeling like I was isolated to one group in a school full of mostly strangers. But the small year groups here make it easier to get to know people and it feels more comfortable because of how close everyone is. To any new students coming in, I’d say don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk to others around you. Your teachers and peers are willing to help you out if you step up and ask, so put yourself out there and be friendly.” Layla – Year 12

“I think the best thing when I joined was that I had a buddy from the USA to show me around and help through the big change of moving to a new school.” Emmet – Year 8

NEXT STEPS

JOINING ASHVILLE

Ashville is the only school in Northern England accredited by NEASC and able to offer the US High School Diploma.

Accreditation and History

Prep (Elementary) School

Senior (Middle and High) School

Support for Children with Additional Needs

An Enriching Experience for Families

Activities, Sports and Basketball

Christian Baker, Director of US Studies - Senior School and Sixth Form

JENNY TROPIA, Director of US Studies - PREP SCHOOL

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