July 15, 2020
Dear International Families,
We hope this letter finds you well. Here at Western Reserve Academy we remain excited for the joy a new school year will bring. We look forward to supporting you and your family in all that lies ahead. To this end, WRA aims to provide the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding travel, arrival, and your Western Reserve Academy experience.
Previewing Arrival WRA is closely monitoring quickly changing guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. We were elated to be notified of the reversal of the most recent ICE regulations and are awaiting further guidance on how best to proceed with student visa regulations for the 2020-2021 academic year. We appreciate your patience as we determine how most appropriately to move forward. Know that we are seeking counsel from subject matter experts and will notify you of any further information or requests as soon as we can.
Currently, it is not mandated that students quarantine upon arrival. We will update you if this changes. Students traveling to WRA from outside the U.S. need to follow applicable restrictions from the Department of Homeland Security regarding quarantine.
Currently, non-U.S. citizens may not enter the U.S. if they have been in certain countries within 14 days of their arrival. Please make arrangements to spend 14 days in a place without arrival restrictions before entering the U.S. U.S. citizens and permanent residents traveling to WRA directly from these countries are required to self-quarantine for 14 days at their final destination. Students are encouraged to complete their quarantine in the U.S. before arriving on WRA's campus. If this is not feasible, students may be able to quarantine at WRA before the registration date. Please speak with the Student Life Office to discuss options. Hobart Hall, one of our dormitories, would be used for such a purpose.
Looking Forward We are providing educational options and plans for the 2020-21 school year that will allow you to continue your studies at Reserve. We wish to be clear however, that incidence of COVID in our region has recently increased and could impact plans for in-person school. You will note that in Option A, we describe the in-person option. But, within this option, we recognize that at some point, WRA may need to pivot to a temporary distance learning model.
OPTION A) In-person school. Dorms will be open all school year, with classes running on a regular schedule of 8:15 a.m. - 3:20 p.m. In the event that school needs to move temporarily to an online learning model, students can stay on campus and have all of their needs met. During a temporary distance model classes would run from 10:15 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. (Regular tuition and fees will apply).
OPTION B) Online school for boarding students who hope to join us on campus at some point this school year. We will have a dedicated group of faculty committed to the learning needs of these online learners. Classes will be held from 6 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (EDT). Students will participate in real time and this will align with School Meeting and Advisory. (Regular tuition and fees will apply).
OPTION C) Online school for students who will NOT join us on campus at some point this school year. We will have a dedicated group of faculty committed to the learning needs of these online learners. Classes will be held from 6 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. (EDT). Students will participate in real time and this will align with School Meeting and Advisory. (Boarding tuition reduced to $53,275, international fee waived).
Finally, should any Department of Homeland Security guidance or regulations change, we will be in direct contact with you with further details regarding any change in procedure or planning. If learning online impacts your visa status, we will issue you a new I-20 to apply for a new F-1 visa for the 2021-22 school year. At this time if you plan to travel to campus, please review your current I-20 to ensure that you have an up to date travel signature. If you do not, please contact Mr. Shriver in the Admission Office directly at shriverj@wra.net.
We are hopeful that this message answers many of your initial questions and we want to continue in dialogue with you and your family as we approach the start of the new school year. You will receive additional information this Friday and our deadline for your decision on which educational option you choose is Tuesday, July 21. We are so excited to engage with you, either in person or live online, and are excited for the start of a new school year!
Mrs. Buck Head of School Western Reserve Academy
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