School Year Abroad

School Year Abroad (SYA) places American high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in one of three independently operated schools in Italy, France or Spain for a full academic year. From 1994 to 2020, SYA operated a campus in China. Students intensively learn the respective language of their country and live with a carefully selected host family. The program includes extensive cultural immersion, wherein select courses are taught in the native language, and requisite subjects such as math and English, are taught in English.

SYA provides academic advisors, college counseling services, and administers the AP, SAT, SAT II, and PSAT tests at each school. Students earn U.S. high school credits while attending SYA, and preparing for selective U.S. colleges and universities. SYA guides students through a challenging curriculum focused on developing skills for an increasingly interdependent world. Central to the SYA experience is the adventure of fully engaging with different languages, cultures and peoples.

Spanish teacher Clark Vaughan of Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts) conceived the idea, and its founding charter member schools are Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, New Hampshire), and St. Paul's School (Concord, New Hampshire), although it operates independently of these, and its 41 member schools. SYA's home office is located in North Andover, Massachusetts.

SYA celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, SYA France celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017, and SYA Italy celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022.

The current president of School Year Abroad is Thomas Hassan, former President of Phillips Exeter Academy and former first gentleman of New Hampshire.^[1]