F-1 Private School
You Choose the School. We Make It Happen.
F-1 private school placement gives your family something J-1 doesn't: full school choice. Pick the school that fits your student — not the one that has a spot. Multi-year flexibility, host family housing, and a pathway that leads straight to U.S. university applications. From $14,000 per year.
Why Families Choose F-1 Private School
Full choice, full flexibility, full support.
Full School Choice
Unlike J-1, your family picks the school. We help you choose wisely — matching on academics, culture, extracurriculars, and support infrastructure.
Multi-Year Pathway
F-1 visas renew year over year through graduation. Plan a 2-year, 3-year, or full high school pathway — and build the transcript U.S. universities want to see.
Smaller Class Sizes
Private schools typically offer smaller classes, more individualized attention, and stronger college counseling infrastructure — especially valuable for international students.
Day School + Host Family
Your student attends school during the day and lives with a vetted host family. The best of both worlds — academic rigor and genuine American family life.
F-1 Private vs. Boarding vs. Public
Three F-1 pathways. Here's how they compare.
- School type: Private (full choice)
- Housing: Host family or off-campus
- Cost: From $14,000/year + housing
- Class size: Smaller (typically 10–20)
- Duration: Multi-year
- Best for: Targeted school selection
- School type: Boarding (residential)
- Housing: On-campus (included)
- Cost: From $28,950/year (all-in)
- Class size: Smaller (varies)
- Duration: Multi-year
- Best for: Structured campus living
- School type: Public (choice program)
- Housing: Host family
- Cost: From $18,000/year + housing
- Class size: Larger (20–30+)
- Duration: Multi-year
- Best for: Diverse community experience
Not sure which F-1 path is right? That's what the first call is for. We'll walk through your student's goals, budget, and learning style — and tell you which program actually makes sense.
How F-1 Private School Placement Works
Six steps from discovery to enrollment — and we're with you at every one.
Most families go from first call to enrollment in 6–10 weeks, depending on school admissions timelines and visa processing.
- 01
Discovery Call & Student Profile
We learn about your student — academic level, goals, personality, independence, budget. We assess whether F-1 private day school is the right path or if another program makes more sense.
- 02
School Shortlist
We build a shortlist of 3–5 private schools, each with a clear reason why it's a match. Not a spreadsheet — a curated list based on your student specifically.
- 03
Applications & Admissions
We handle applications, essay strategy, interview prep, and communication with admissions offices. Your family never has to figure out the next step alone.
- 04
I-20, Visa & SEVIS
The school issues the I-20 form. We walk you through the SEVIS fee, visa interview prep, and document assembly. No late-night Googling required.
- 05
Housing Coordination
Day school students need housing. We coordinate placement with a vetted host family or, for some schools, a supervised residential option. Background checks, home visits, interviews — same standards as every Atlas & Ivy placement.
- 06
Enrollment & Ongoing Support
Orientation, school introduction, and support that lasts the entire program. Regular check-ins, academic monitoring, and someone to call when things come up.
What F-1 Private School Actually Costs
Tuition is separate from housing. Here's the honest breakdown.
Standard
$14,000 – $22,000/year
Strong academics, established international student programs, good ESL support. Solid entry point for most families.
Premium
$22,000 – $34,000/year
Broader AP/IB selection, dedicated college counseling, smaller class sizes. Better for families targeting competitive universities.
Elite
$34,000+/year
Selective admissions, advanced programs, high university placement rates. For families with specific academic targets.
Tuition only. Housing (homestay ~$725/mo, off-campus ~$1,100/mo) and add-ons are separate.
Model your real numbers with our budget calculator →Questions About F-1 Private School
Real answers. No PR-speak.
What's the difference between F-1 private and boarding school?
Boarding school includes on-campus housing — your student lives at the school. F-1 private day school is tuition-only — students attend classes during the day and live with a host family or in off-campus housing. Day schools tend to be less expensive since room and board isn't included in tuition. Some families prefer the host family experience; others want the structure of a boarding campus.
How much does F-1 private school cost?
Tuition typically runs $14,000–$34,000+ per year depending on the school's tier and location. Elite programs can exceed $34,000. Housing is separate — homestay runs about $725/month, off-campus housing about $1,100/month. Our budget calculator lets you model the real numbers before you talk to anyone.
Can my student choose which school they attend?
Yes — that's the whole point of F-1. Unlike J-1 (where school placement is coordinated by the sponsor), F-1 gives your family full school choice. We help you choose wisely by matching based on academics, culture, extracurriculars, location, and support infrastructure — not just reputation.
Can F-1 students stay for multiple years?
Yes. F-1 visas are renewable year over year through graduation. Many families plan a multi-year pathway — starting in 9th or 10th grade and staying through 12th grade and university applications.
What about housing?
F-1 private day school students typically live with vetted host families near the school. Every family goes through background checks, home inspections, and interviews. For some schools, supervised residential options are available. We coordinate housing as part of the placement — it's not an afterthought.
How is this different from F-1 public school?
F-1 Private places students in private schools — smaller class sizes, more specialized programs, often stronger college counseling. F-1 Public places students in public schools through choice programs — larger student bodies, more diverse communities, typically lower cost. Both use the F-1 visa. We help you decide which fits your student's goals and budget.
The Right Private School Is Out There. Let's Go Find It.
Take the quiz to see matched schools with real pricing — or book a free call and we'll talk through it together. Twenty minutes, no commitment.
Not ready for a quiz? Estimate your costs first.
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