EF to open new boarding school in California

The EF Academy in Pasadena is scheduled to open next year, and will host an estimated 975 students on a 16-acre campus.

EF said the school will provide a multilingual education and experiential learning across the curriculum, which will lead to the International Baccalaureate Diploma, while elective credits for partner colleges will also be offered.

EF is redeveloping the former Willam Carey International University campus property with a focus on modernising the existing facilities, preserving the “iconic MacGavran Hall” and building student dormitories, the company said.

Facilities will include a football pitch, swimming pool, an auditorium, a contemporary STEM centre and art gallery space for exhibitions.

“With an incredibly diverse student body hailing from around the globe, EF Academy’s curriculum is focused on building bridges between cultural groups and understanding diverse perspectives,” said George Stewart, incoming Head of School at EF Pasadena. “We see education as a force to unite people, nations and cultures in order to create a more peaceful and sustainable world.”

EF said that one in three graduates from its other US-based EF Academy – in Thornwood, New York – are accepted into the world’s top five per cent of universities, while 99 per cent matriculated onto degree programmes.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, Pasadena Mayor, Terry Tornek, said, “Pasadena is thrilled to welcome EF Academy’s first-class institution and international young scholars to our city.

“We believe the school will complement our diverse, vibrant community and that students will benefit from the many opportunities available right on their doorstep.”

As well as high schools, EF Education First – established in 1965 and said to be the world’s largest education company – offers language programmes in 11 languages worldwide and higher education courses, including through the Hult International Business School brand.