Admission

International Students

International students enrich our community. Since 2009, Highland School has welcomed students from many different countries, including Germany, Brazil, Spain, Scotland, Belgium, Norway, South Korea, and China.

In a typical year, the Upper School enrolls between 15 and 20 students. Some come for an exchange year, while others stay and earn a Highland diploma.

International students who choose to attend Highland are encouraged to come prepared to participate not only in our rigorous academic programs but also in activities beyond the classroom to further enrich their education and experience.

In collaboration with our placement partners, international students who are interested in attending Highland are screened to ensure a good match for both the student and the school.

Types of Students We Seek

The students who succeed in our program share the following characteristics:

Competency with written and spoken English
Flexibility, maturity, and open-mindedness
Ambition to succeed academically
Ability to integrate into a school community and with their host family

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

View our admission overview

List of 5 items.

Visa Requirements

Highland School is an SEVP certified school with the ability to sponsor F1 visas. Foreign Exchange Students attending Highland School hold a F1 or a J1 visa. Foreign Exchange Students holding a F1 visa pay full tuition plus a $9,000 international fee.
Our Host Families

While attending Highland, students will live with host families that are identified and screened by our placement partners. Host families open their homes to serve as an additional support system for the student, as well as the foundation for deeper cultural understanding. The specific dates of stay correspond with the academic calendar.

Host families come from all walks of life. Some host families may have younger or older children, some may be empty nesters, single, or married without children. Regardless of the family structure, all host families are carefully screened and interviewed to determine that the family and home environment is of the highest quality possible.
Highland School Makes an Excellent Destination

Located in the town of Warrenton, Virginia–just 45 miles outside of Washington, DC–Highland is an excellent location for international students looking for a meaningful exchange program. Through school field trips and with their host families, international students enjoy the many museums and cultural attractions of our nation’s capital.
Best of the Best

Our Upper School offers 16 Honors courses and 19 Advanced Placement classes. Recent college acceptances include the most prestigious schools in Virginia, as well as Columbia University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Dartmouth College, Yale University and many others.
Apply Today

Interested in applying to be an exchange student at Highland School? You can apply online through our partners at United Studies. Use the password 'Travel' to begin the online application process. We look forward to meeting you!

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Highland's international program, please contact Donna Tomlinson, Highland's Director of Admission and Tuition Assistance, at 540-878-2740 or via email to dtomlinson@highlandschool.org.