The Sound of Hope Network recently featured Harker’s English Learning Institute (ELI) in a segment on Bay Area school education. The 11-minute program offered insight to international students looking for chances to improve their English and ensure placement in the nation’s best schools. A mother named Jesse was interviewed about her daughter Dora’s significant growth through ELI.

After Stevenson School recommended that Dora attend ELI to improve her English, Jesse met with Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancement, and her daughter applied for the summer program. In a matter of weeks, Dora completed the highest class level and was accepted to the Webb Schools in Claremont.

Jesse said she did not expect to see such great results in such a short time, noting that Dora loved the program, the exposure to native English-speaking students and opportunities to go on after-school excursions. Other students from Shanghai also saw similar improvements, and Jesse said she wishes she had known about the program earlier. Boarding school acceptance rates are becoming more and more competitive, and Jesse highly recommended ELI because of the English immersion and supportive teachers.