Attention Parents: Studying in the States Is Not Just for College-Aged Students!
January 30, 2015
The United States offers a variety of schools and programs for F-1 international students to attend. Although most F-1 students in the United States study at post-secondary institutions, like colleges and universities, there are also options for international students to enroll in primary and secondary educational institutions (e.g., elementary or high schools, grades Kindergarten-12).
If your child wants to enroll as an F-1 student in an elementary or high school in the United States, they may only attend schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Use our school search page to see if a school you are interested in has SEVP-certification for the grade level you are seeking.
F-1 elementary and secondary students are limited on where they can attend school. Here is what you need to know:
Public Schools
- F-1 students cannot attend public elementary schools. SEVP considers charter schools to be public schools.
- F-1 students can attend SEVP-certified public high schools (grades 9-12) for a maximum 12 month period. This includes all public high schools they attend; therefore, your child cannot spend 12 months at one public high school and then later transfer to another.
- F-1 students enrolling at a public secondary school must pay the full, unsubsidized cost of attendance before they arrive at a U.S. port of entry. Depending on the school district, per capital costs for public school education in the United States ranges from $3,000–$10,000.
Private Schools
- F-1 students do not have a limit on the length of time they may attend a private school.
- Your child may attend a privately owned, SEVP-certified kindergarten-12 school for multiple years or transfer to another SEVP-certified private school to complete their education.
If your child wishes to enroll in either a private kindergarten-12 program or a public high school program, please contact that school’s respective designated school official. They are great resources to help answer specific questions about the school and ensure your child remains in compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
Once your child graduates from high school, they may apply for acceptance to an SEVP-certified college or university. For more information on that process, check out the Study Guide to the States—an interactive guide to the international student process that can walk you and your child through what to expect.