EXPLO Admission Considerations + Community Standards

EXPLO Admission Considerations + Community Standards

Admission Considerations + Community Standards

For decades, EXPLO designed programs so that students may authentically be their unique selves while being part of something bigger. EXPLO’s mission asks us “to respect the differences that make us individuals and to find the common ground that makes us a community.”

If you have any questions, please contact our Admission Off ice. [email protected] | 781.762.7400

Many different types of students have had successful summers at EXPLO. It is important for parents/guardians to understand, however, that EXPLO might not be a good match for some students. Admission Considerations

Students at EXPLO need sufficient energy, concentration, and stamina to get through a full, busy, and structured schedule. We expect a lot from our students in terms of their ability to handle the choices and responsibilities they are given with an appropriate level of maturity. If parents/guardians have any questions as to whether a particular EXPLO program is the right place for their child, we ask that they please contact our Admission Office before submitting an application (781.762.7400). Making Sure EXPLO is The Right Match EXPLO not only forms a relationship with the student who attends the program, but also with their parents/ guardians. For the program to work in a positive and safe way for our students, parents/guardians must be able to support our policies and procedures. EXPLO reserves the right to dismiss a currently enrolled student if the student’s parents/guardians are not cooperative or cannot follow EXPLO policies and procedures. In addition, EXPLO reserves the right in subsequent summers to deny enrollment for similar reasons. Supporting Our Policies + Procedures Before you enroll a student, please make sure the student will be able to attend the entire session. EXPLO has an overall curricular plan that includes courses, electives, activities, speakers, trips, and student life meetings and activities. Since each program session is three weeks or shorter, it is not appropriate for a student to miss several days, or part of each day of the program, whether at the beginning, middle, or end of each session. If family vacations or other obligations mean a student will miss several days or more, the student will not be allowed to register. See our refund policy for more information. Program Attendance Bullying has become big news at all schools in recent years, but EXPLO has been responding vigorously to bullying for decades. We have dismissed students who did not live up to our ideals of respect and care. More importantly, we have always worked hard to create the kind of communities where bullying would make no sense — whether on floors, in classrooms, on playing fields, or on the campus at large. Bullying has no place on an EXPLO campus. On Bullying

EXPLO summer programs are designed with specific age groups in mind. The appropriate campus for a student is determined by the grade that student is entering in the U.S. school system in September of the following academic year. Typically, students attending EXPLO fall into the following grade and age breakdowns: Age Guidelines

• EXPLO Pre-College + Career students are entering grades 10-12, and are between 15 and 17 years old • EXPLO at Sarah Lawrence College students are entering grades 8-10, and are between 13 and 15 years old • EXPLO at Wheaton College students are entering grades 4-7 and are between 9 and 12 years old

On rare occasions age exceptions may be made for a particular program if a case is compelling, but we do generally follow these guidelines. If you feel that an exception should be considered for your student, we encourage you to contact us prior to submitting an application.

Please note that all enrolled students must be fully immunized against disease according to recommenda- tions from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state requirements. For more information about required immunizations, please contact our Admission Office. Immunization Requirements EXPLO, is operated by Exploration Learning and is part of the not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) Exploration School. EXPLO does not discriminate on the basis of physical handicap, sex, race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions, scholarships, or other social programs. It affords all students the rights and privileges that are generally made available at the School. Non-Discrimination

Our global community of curious and creative individuals come from 40 U.S. states and 70 countries. Students meet the world at EXPLO. International Considerations

International students applying for the three-week option must be able to speak and understand English at an intermediate or higher level. Students applying to our Pre-College + Career Program or Concentrations must be able to speak and understand English fluently. To ensure that students will be able to participate in all aspects of EXPLO — from academics to residential life to extracurricular activities — international students who do not attend a school with an English-language based curriculum will need to schedule an interview with EXPLO so that we may assess English speaking abilities. English Fluency All payments, including deposits, tuition, and cash advances must be made in U.S. funds. In order to attend EXPLO, international students may need to acquire a B-2 VISA for a short visit. (The B-2 VISA is normally obtained at the United States Embassy in each individual country.) All participants are required to have coverage from a U.S. based accident and health insurance provider. International participants and others without this coverage are required to purchase health insurance that covers them while they are in the United States. EXPLO has identified affordable $0 deductible plans to make it easy on families should medical services need to be used. Payments and VISA Information “ I would tell them that it was one of the best experiences, of my life. I had so much fun, I made new friends from all over the world, I improved my English, and most importantly I did and learned things that I used to think I would have never been able to do. I was pushed beyond my own limits and now I feel like a new person. Livia G. Student, EXPLO Pre-College + Career ”

Year after year, students and their parents/guardians describe the environment of EXPLO Pre-College + Career and EXPLO at Sarah Lawrence College as accepting, nurturing, safe, and fun. Community Standards: EXPLO Pre-College + Career and EXPLO at Sarah Lawrence College

EXPLO prides itself on creating an atmosphere that nurtures the diverse interests, needs, and backgrounds of our student and staff populations. Students attending EXPLO have a unique opportunity to investigate a variety of new skills, talents, and interests within an environment structured for personal choice and growth. As with many personal freedoms, the liberty granted to students at EXPLO carries with it limits and respon- sibilities. We expect students to uphold our community standards and to refrain from any behavior that jeopardizes the well-being of themselves or others at the program. A Safe, Supportive Atmosphere

Rules for Student Conduct

In order to maintain a safe environment for everyone, EXPLO has expectations and rules for student con- duct. These are more fully expressed in the EXPLO Essentials guide, which is available to enrolled students in the spring. The following list is not meant to be exhaustive, but instead gives some examples of our standards and expectations. A student who violates a Major Rule, or whose conduct, in the sole discretion of Exploration Summer Programs, warrants them leaving the program, will be subject to immediate dis- missal, with no refund of tuition or traveling expenses. Remaining in the presence of an open violation of a Major Rule may constitute a Major Rule violation; that is, if you are in the presence of another student who is breaking a Major Rule, it is as if you are breaking the rule yourself.

Some examples of conduct that are in violation of the Major Rules include:

• Use, possession, or distribution of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or tobacco (including tobacco, marijuana or hashish pipes or papers, vaping devices, e-cigarettes, and alcohol containers) or misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medication • Use, possession, or distribution of weapons, violence or threat of violence, hazing and harassment, misuse of computers and electronic communications, and bullying • Use, possession, or distribution of stolen property as well as vandalism, damage, or the willful destruction of property

• Violating policies regarding the physical boundaries of the program, staying within the dor- mitories after evening check-in, and staying inside the boundaries established on trips

• Violating the policy governing single-gender spaces

• Use of any flame indoors including matches, candles, or incense

• Failure to conduct oneself with honesty and integrity, and failure to respect the well-being and rights of others

In addition to the above, there are other rules and guidelines governing student conduct at the program. The program’s current Rules + Standards guide will be available post-enrollment in the Student Portal. Students are responsible for reading it, knowing its contents, and following all program rules and guidelines described therein. Students are also responsible for following the rules and guidelines set by our staff during the course of the program. Any questions or concerns about our community standards or rules should be brought to the Head of Programs. Our Rules + Standards Guide EXPLO not only forms a relationship with the student who attends the program, but also with their parents/ guardians. For the program to work in a positive and safe way for our students, parents/guardians must be able to support our policies and procedures. EXPLO reserves the right to dismiss a currently enrolled student if the student’s parents/guardians are not cooperative or cannot follow EXPLO policies and procedures. In addition, EXPLO reserves the right in subsequent summers to deny enrollment for similar reasons. Supporting Our Policies + Procedures

“

This has been a wonderful opportunity for [my son] to experience living away from home. He has learned about other people’s lives and, most importantly, he has been able to work on cooperating and compromising with others.

”

Karen B. Parent, EXPLO at Sarah Lawrence College

Year after year, students and their parents describe the environment of EXPLO at Wheaton College as accepting, nurturing, safe, and fun. Community Standards: EXPLO at Wheaton College

Students tell us year after year that EXPLO is an environment where they feel safe, supported, and comfort- able. A place where they feel they can truly be themselves. A place where they can stretch and be stretched, and not worry about what others think. It really is an incredible environment, and creating this kind of at- mosphere doesn’t happen by accident. If EXPLO is going to deliver on its mission for students to challenge themselves and discover the world of people and ideas, then we need to set up a community that helps students do these things. We start with community standards that are saturated in common sense and the golden rule: Don’t lie, steal, cheat, or hit others. Do treat others as you know you would like to be treated: with respect, courtesy, care, thoughtfulness, and so on. The Standards of EXPLO EXPLO knows its students well. We know how old they are, and we understand the developmental stage in which their minds, bodies and emotions currently reside. We do not treat our students as if they are younger than they are — that would be disrespectful. But neither do we treat them as if they are older than they are — that would be dangerous and anxiety-provoking for both students and their families. Respect for Students We believe in communicating our expectations directly, clearly, and respectfully. We have a Rules + Standards guide that lays out the behavior we expect. Within the first days that a student arrives, Advisors go over the rules and standards, and encourage students to ask questions to make sure they know what we mean. Also, students in each smaller community, such as advisor groups, residential floors and classrooms, all participate in setting standards for behavior for their particular group. How will they take turns using the showers? Is it okay to just call out an answer, or should we raise our hands? More than one way can work, but students get to discuss how they would like to do it within their group. Our Rules + Standards Guide At EXPLO, we believe we have hit the best balance between responsibility and freedom, because we know they work hand in hand. The art and craft of having a successful living and learning environment is balancing the two with thoughtfulness and care, fully aware of who your students are, and the kind of community you want to create. Creating the Ideal Community