Situated on a spectacular campus in Erie, Pennsylvania and located near three major US cities, PIA provides a well-rounded learning experience that includes access to grade 9 to 12 high school education, residence hall accommodations, language and cultural support programs. Our campus is an English Only environment. Everyone only speaks English at PIA. We provide the richness of a residential language-immersion (ESL) program along with a comprehensive study skills support system that will help students meet the challenges of rigorous academic study at our affiliate high school, Mercyhurst Preparatory School, whose commitment to academic excellence is renowned.
Here Are a Few Things You Should Know About PIA:
- The high school program offered through the PIA's affiliate school gives students the option of taking varying levels of academic study, including a basic college preparatory program, honors classes and an International Baccalaureate Diploma program.
- PIA helps students to perfect their English language skills through formal study as well as ESL classes. PIA's comprehensive communications program exposes students to relevant cultural, speaking, reading and writing exercise and experiences that will help them become proficient in the English language quicker.
- PIA students are encouraged to participate in on-campus internships in areas like marketing, management, finance, food service and event operations. Internships provide students with "real world" English speaking opportunities and hands-on life experiences to build a well-rounded student resume that is essential to college and university acceptance in the United States.
- Integrating aspects of culture into the daily life of students is also a focus of PIA through field trips to social, cultural and historical venues. These excursions provide students with insight and experiences that will give them a deeper understanding of American life that will help them function more proficiently within the United States educational system.
- Structured daily study sessions led by teaching assistants in the Resident Hall reinforce the skills taught in classroom and provide students with the kind of study skills and habits that are needed to ensure a smooth transition to higher education in the United States.
