Admissions

Portledge School welcomes international students to apply for admission. At Portledge School, international students receive a foundation that makes them well prepared to enter and compete in America’s top universities. Small class sizes and exceptional faculty offer individualized attention and the support needed for students to excel in an American college preparatory environment.

Application

International students are expected to follow the same application process as other students.
This process includes:

  1. Completion of the Registration Application form and payment of the $250 application fee per student.

  2. Completion of additional application forms, translated into English with course descriptions for each class.
  3. Schedule an interview: International applicants may substitute a Skype interview for the visit day and interview. We request to interview with both the parents and the student.

  4. Testing: International applicants for grades 7-12 are required to take the SSAT and the TOEFL. These tests are offered internationally. 
    • Registration for the SSAT test, testing dates, and locations can be found at SSAT.org. Portledge School code: 5854. 
    • Registration for the TOEFL can be found at ets.org/toefl. Portledge School code: 3534.

  5. Visa Information: Once the student is accepted to Portledge School, we will issue an I-20 after we receive the signed contract and the required deposit.

Tuition Schedule

Homestay Placement

Homestay programs arrange for international students to live with local families in their host countries. In a homestay program, you will typically have your own room, but join the family for meals and take part in their normal daily routine. In most cases, host families tend to be families that have younger or teenage children themselves, but homestays can actually be offered by anyone. We look to place students with Portledge families or in the local community. Host families often choose to offer homestays because it’s a great way for their own children to live with international students and be exposed to different cultures.

HOST FAMILY MATCHING AND PLACEMENT
  • The International Student Coordinator at Portledge School will match each student with a suitable screened host family for placement, after the student is accepted.
  • Portledge School will then notify each student or their representative about the placement.

Approach to Learning for International Students Program (ALFIS)

ESL classes are offered at an additional fee in order to give international students an extra layer of support in English and academic subjects.

All new international students at Portledge School entering grades 9-12 for whom English is not their first language will be required to take at least one year of ALFIS. All year-one students will be enrolled in the 5-day cycle program; each individual student’s level may be adjusted in year two. The student will meet the teacher during the school day.

In grades 9-12, if a student would like to opt-out of the program after the first year, they will need to either score a 90 on the TOEFL (with at least a 23 in each subcategory) or complete the school year with a final grade of A- or better in English. For students in Lower and Middle School, two years of ALFIS will be required. After two years a formal decision will be made by the Lower or Middle School Division Head, in consultation with faculty as to whether or not a student will be required to continue in the program.

ALFIS AGREEMENT FORM

*NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Portledge School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, educational policies, admission, financial aid, hiring and employment practices, use of school facilities, athletics, and other school-administered programs.