International Students

Because GCS does not offer an ESL program, applicants must demonstrate strong English proficiency in order to be successful in our school. Therefore, in addition to the admission process for domestic students (including ISEE or SSAT admission testing), international students must also complete one of the following English Proficiency tests, with a minimum score as shown:

• TOEFL iBT (Minimum score of 80 overall; at least 20 in the reading and writing sections)
• TOEFL Essentials (Minimum score of 9 overall; at least a 9 in the reading and writing sections)
• Duolingo English Language Test (Minimum score of 100)

Conversation skills are also assessed informally during the student interview. Unless an in-person interview is possible, the Admissions Office will arrange a virtual interview to complete our application process.

International Students have access to the same resources as domestic students, such as arranging a meeting with a teacher, seeking help from our guidance counselor, receiving college counseling services, and engaging with their academic advisor.

The International Student Fee covers the cost of after-school tutoring. Appointments are made directly with the tutor, who is a Humanities teacher in our Upper School.

One faculty member who is fluent in Chinese and Korean serves as a parent liaison for parents who speak those languages and may have difficulty communicating in English.

The International Student Fee covers the cost of student health insurance. Glenelg Country School partners with the International Student Organization which provides health insurance through their ISO Compass Plan. Additional information about this plan can be found here.

Glenelg Country School does not make homestay arrangements. Although we can assist in finding an appropriate homestay by reaching out to our school community, the responsibility falls on the student’s parents, guardians, and/or agency. We maintain close communications with the host parents, just as we do with all of our parents, to ensure the student’s experience is safe and rewarding.

Until students are in the 8th Grade, international students attending Glenelg Country School must live with a parent or close family relative.

Glenelg Country School is a SEVP-approved school, able to issue I-20’s which are required to receive an F-1 student visa. The I-20 is issued once a student is fully enrolled, typically in March or April. In order to be fully enrolled, the student must have received an admission offer and then submitted an enrollment contract along with a $2,500 deposit. The deposit is refundable only if the student is unable to secure a student visa.

For students already studying in the U.S., the current school will transfer the student’s I-20 record through SEVIS to Glenelg Country School at the end of the school year. At that time, a new I-20 will be issued.

More information about obtaining a student visa can be found here.

In order to provide additional services, the school charges an international student fee in addition to the regular tuition rate. For the current year, the fee is $4800.

Throughout the year, our international students have opportunities to socialize and experience local culture. Past experiences have been picking pumpkins, bowling, playing laser tag, visiting Washington, D.C., and hiking. Special lunches are arranged for international students, and we celebrate a variety of international holidays

• Cambridge Network

• Duolingo English Test

• ETS TOEFL

• ETS TOEFL Junior

• ISEE ERB

• ISEE SSAT