International Students

Use this guide for international students to cover all the topics pertaining to deciding which school to attend, how to apply, and much more. Broadly defined, an international student is somebody who comes from a foreign country, i.e., not the United States of America, whose first language is generally not English. Why would families send their children far away from home to study at a boarding school in the United States? Because of American boarding schools' reputation for a high standard of academic work and for the network of friends and acquaintances that their graduates can build. And also for the solid preparation for university-level work which American boarding schools provide.

American boarding schools have been proactive in seeking out international students. In the fall, individual schools and consortia of schools regularly visit Asia and Europe to recruit applicants.

The following headers will help you explore the concept of boarding schools and explain the admissions process. Contact the school that interests you for detailed answers to your specific questions.

Admissions to Private School: A-Z

Admissions to Private School: A-Z puts all the information you need to navigate the private school admissions process in one convenient place. Whether you are just beginning or have been through this before, you will find help and advice to guide you. Application Calendar

Keep track of all aspects of choosing a school and the application deadlines. This is especially important for students applying from overseas.

Guidelines for

With over 250 schools in the United States, American boarding schools appeal to international families for a variety of reasons. According to The Association Of Boarding Schools (TABS), international students make up about 15% of the population of their member schools. We look at some of the reasons why an American boarding school is a popular option with international students around the world.

A world-class education

Almost all American boarding schools offer rigorous academics combined with compulsory athletics and a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Even more important to a parent who will probably remain at home while her child goes off to school in the United States is that boarding schools take the safety and well-being of your child very seriously. While your child is at school, 24/7 supervision is what you can expect to find at a boarding school in the United States. During vacations, the school will help you find a host for your child instead of flying him back home if that is not possible.

The academic programs at boarding schools exceed any federal, state, and local requirements. College preparatory schools usually offer Advanced Placement courses or the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Standards are high. The other advantage of an American boarding school is the small class size. Typically, the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:15 or even less.

What is an international student?

An international student is a student who holds a foreign or non-U.S. passport. He or she is