School life

Our high school curriculum is organized around the requirements for an American-recognized diploma and the AERO curriculum framework. The following table explains the credit requirements for earning the high school diploma.

It is important to bear in mind that, in general terms, each university has its own specific admission requirements. Therefore, we proceed to break down the types of requirements that affect our students:

• Private Spanish universities: Not all universities require the Spanish university entrance exams (EBAU) or the specific exams from the UNED (PCE). It may be sufficient for the student to enter with the American High School Diploma from Rafa Nadal School, its homologation with respect to the Spanish baccalaureate, the grade from the UNED credential, and the university’s own selection tests (usually consisting of an interview).
• American universities: The American High School Diploma from Rafa Nadal School and the SAT exam conducted at our center are required.
• European universities: The American High School Diploma from Rafa Nadal School, the SAT exam, and the entrance exam of the respective country, if stipulated, are required.

Spanish public universities: To gain admission, one needs the American High School Diploma from Rafa Nadal School, its homologation, and the entrance exam organized by the UNED (usually only the specific part or PCE) or the Spanish entrance exam or EBAU, depending on the selected university.

In the first three cases, our students are guaranteed access, thanks to their studies with an American curriculum.

One of our main tasks is to identify the future intentions of our students in order to provide special recognition to those who are considering studying at a Spanish public university. Although these are isolated cases, we proceed to explain our approach for students who wish to study at a Spanish public university:

• All our Spanish students graduate with a double degree, the American High School Diploma and its homologation to the Baccalaureate Title.
• We assist our students in preparing for and taking the Specific Competence Tests (PCE) organized by UNEDasiss, which are equivalent to the Spanish ‘selectividad’ or EBAU for international students.
• We prepare our students to take the external SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) exams in mathematics and English. These are standardized external exams conducted by the College Board required for access to universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Additionally, Rafa Nadal School is an SAT testing center.
• We prepare our students to take the advanced American AP (Advanced Placement) exams. These are standardized external exams conducted by the College Board for specific subjects and are only for academically advanced students. The number of AP exams to be taken depends on the university, but they are usually required by the top universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Rafa Nadal School is an AP testing center.

Special workshops will be organized to provide information on accessing Spanish universities, inviting all interested parents to participate. During these sessions, we will provide recommendations for these students to prepare certain subjects from their curriculum for the specific exams (PCE), which they can do with Spanish reinforcement teachers while simultaneously studying Grade 11 and 12.

Our Guidance Counsellor assists our students in developing academic and career goals via career exploration, knowledge of different educational programs and consideration of personal interests, skills and values.

The Guidance Counselor helps students understand the various ways they can leverage their experiences inside and outside of the classroom to prepare them to be competitive candidates for university programs after graduation, with a focus on specific majors and knowledge of job market conditions.

• USA:
  Augusta Georgia University, Georgia USA
  Augusta University, Georgia USA
  Barry University, Florida USA
  Bentley University, Massachusetts USA
  Bucknell University, Pennsylvania USA
  Bryant University, Rhode Island USA
  Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania USA
  Chapman University, California USA
  Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia USA
  Concordia University, California USA
  Colorado College, Colorado USA
  Cornell College, Iowa USA
  Depaul University, Illinois USA
  Eastern Florida Community College, Florida USA
  Eckerd College, Florida USA
  Edinboro University, Pennsylvania USA
  Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey USA
  Flagler University, Florida USA
  Florida International University, Florida USA
  Fordham University, New York USA
  Friends University, Kansas USA
  George Washington University, Maryland USA
  Jessup University, Florida USA
  Keiser University, Florida USA
  Lewis and Clark University, Oregon USA
  Loyola University New Orleans USA
  Loyola Marymount University, California USA
  Lindenwood University, Missouri USA
  Marquette University, Wisconsin USA
  Marymount University, Virginia USA
  McKendree University, Illinois USA
  Mercyhurst University, Pennsylvania USA
  Merrimack College, Massachusetts USA
  Michigan State University, Michigan USA
  Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee USA
  Northen Kentucky University, Kentucky USA
  North Carolina Wesleyan University, USA
  New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey USA
  Nova Southeastern University, Florida USA
  Penn State University, Pennsylvania USA
  Pepperdine University, California USA
  Pratt Institute, New York USA
  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York USA
  Roosevelt University, Chicago USA
  Sacramento State University, California USA
  Saint Thomas University, Florida USA
  Saint Thomas Aquinas College, New York USA
  Sam Houston State University, Texas USA
  Santa Cruz University, California USA
  Santa Monica College, California USA
  Skidmore University, New York USA
  Stanford University, California USA
  Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia, USA
  Seton Hall University, New Jersey USA
  Texas Christian University, Texas USA
  Tennessee Tech University, Tennessee USA
  University of Alabama, Alabama USA
  Texas Christian University, Texas USA
  University of Tampa, Florida USA
  University of Texas, Texas USA
  Trinity University, Connecticut USA
  University of Denver, Colorado USA
  University of Delaware, Delaware USA
  University of Illinois, Illinois USA
  University of California San Diego USA
  University of California – Irvine USA
  University of Florida, Florida USA
  University of Montevallo, Alabama USA
  University of Miami, Florida USA
  University of North Texas, Texas USA
  University of San Diego, California USA
  University of South Caroline, USC UPSTATE USA
  University of Southern California, California, USA
  University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin USA
  Washington College , Washington USA

Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college-level courses you take in high school. AP classes are more intense than high school classes and scoring well on AP exams may allow you to earn college credit.

AP classes show admissions officers that you’re ready for college-level work. Admissions counselors consistently tell us that good grades and academic rigor are the most important factors when schools evaluate applications.  Even over standardized test scores! Many high schools give extra weight to AP grades when calculating your GPA, including us here at RNA. Taking an AP class and getting a B is often a better choice than getting an A in a regular course.

RNS is committed to offering 4 AP courses over a period of two years to students in 11th and 12th grades. All information about AP courses and exams can be found on the College Board website: https://ap.collegeboard.org/.
RNS is an accredited AP test center and all tests are taken on site with qualified proctors.

AP exams are scored from 1 to 5 with 5 the highest score. Many colleges give credit or advanced placement with a score of 3 or better. AP exams are given in May. There’s an exam fee. Ask our College counselor about AP classes offered at RNS.

The American university system is unique in that it allows a combination of competitive sport with a university degree. Teams representing universities in the US compete at an elite level. To achieve the best possible results, these universities recruit players from all over the world and, as they are not allowed to pay players, they offer sports scholarships to finance students’ studies. The academy works closely with I-Con Sports, an internationally-renowned agency, that has over a decade of experience in finding the best universities and scholarships for sports players.

Requisites:

• Graduation from High School with a minimum of subjects per year in specific areas of study.
• A competitive tennis level and holding amateur athlete status.
• Necessary grades in entrance exams (SAT & TOEFL).

The universities are divided into three organizations (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA) and each has its own set of distinct rules regarding eligibility to compete. I-Con Sports and the Academy will guide the students at all times to ensure all rules and regulations are met and that there is no risk to their eligibility.

What is a complete scholarship? A complete sports scholarship covers all costs of the university, such as:

• Registration and fees
• Books
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Training and competition
• Sports equipment
• Travel to tournaments
• Tuition
• Sports medical assistance

Athletes that do not receive a complete scholarship (100%) will obtain a percentage of the annual university costs.

What is the process?

• A high level of tennis is key to obtaining a better scholarship. The high-performance training at the Rafa Nadal Academy seeks to maximize the potential of our students. At the same time, a strategic tournament calendar and promotional video of the student will be prepared, in order to raise the interest of the university coaches.
• Academic results are another determining factor in terms of eligibility for the University-level sports, entrance to certain universities, and the receipt of academic scholarships (which can be added to sports scholarships).

The Academy follows the American academic system in order to facilitate the process of incorporation to the US university system. The curriculum of each student is also monitored, guiding them to choose the subjects that assist in meeting the eligibility requirements of certain leagues. The Academy will prepare its students for the US university entrance exams.

Student Athletes who are pursuing athletic competition in a variety of fields including preparing for competitions will want their course work in high school approved by the NCAA to meet academic eligibility requirements for scholarships and participation.

These student athletes must balance the demands of a challenging sport training and competition schedule, while being able to devote the necessary time to their academic program. RNS understands these unique students needs and provides a program of academic quality while allowing the student athlete to devote the necessary time to their athletic pursuits.

The NCAA has established regulations for courses that these student athletes take. RNS is a pre – accredited school by the Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools and core courses in the RNS High School are approved by the NCAA to meet athletic eligibility as they enter college. The student is responsible for ensuring that he or she meets NCAA Core Course requirements.

RNS students should consult with our Career Counselor for information about meeting NCAA Core Course requirements. The NCAA recommends that students set up their own personal account with the NCAA and the student can do so by visiting the NCAA Eligibility Center. The publication by the NCAA of NCAA Division I Initial-Eligibility Requirements should be downloaded and reviewed by the parent and student.

RNS has worked to ensure our courses meet the requirements of the NCAA. You can see our courses, which are approved to meet NCAA Core Course Eligibility. If you have questions check with the RNS Career counselor office. You may visit the NCAA Eligibility Center as a student or parent and search for RNS to see the courses listed on their site.