For Families
Your Child Deserves a School That Was Made for Them.
Most agencies find a school. We find the right one — matched on how your child actually learns, what motivates them, and where they'll genuinely thrive. Then we stay involved to make sure it works.
Trusted by families in 42+ countries. ICES/SEEDS/Gap Academy partner. Christina handles every case personally.
20 minutes. No pitch. We might even tell you to wait if that's best for your child.
The Way Most Placements Go vs. How Ours Go
The difference isn't a feature list. It's a different philosophy about what the job actually is.
What Usually Happens
- Agency sends a PDF of available schools. You pick one.
- Placement is based on who has open spots, not who's the right fit.
- Paperwork gets done. Agency moves on to the next client.
- Something goes wrong six weeks in. You're on your own.
- No one checks in until it's time to renew — if they check in at all.
What Atlas & Ivy Does
- We learn how your child thinks — learning style, goals, personality, family priorities — before recommending a single school.
- Every school on your shortlist comes with a clear reason why it's a match.
- We handle all the paperwork: applications, SEVIS compliance, visa coordination.
- Regular check-ins after enrollment. We're the person you call when something's off.
- 15 years doing this. 2,000 students placed. We don't disappear.
What It Actually Costs
Parents making five-figure decisions shouldn't have to request a quote to find out if they're in the right ballpark. Here's the honest picture.
Boarding School
F-1 VisaDuration: 1–4 years
Best for: Students who want a residential campus experience with full support
F-1 Private School
F-1 VisaDuration: 1 year – multi-year
Best for: Students planning a longer academic stay or college pathway
F-1 Public School
F-1 VisaDuration: 1 year – multi-year
Best for: Students who want a U.S. public school experience with choice program placement
J-1 Cultural Exchange
J-1 VisaDuration: 1 semester – 1 academic year
Best for: Students who want a full cultural immersion with a U.S. host family
Short-Term Programs
F-1 VisaDuration: 2–12 weeks
Best for: Families who want a structured immersion before committing to a full year
21-Day Summer Exchange
B-1/B-2 TouristDuration: 21 days
Best for: A trial homestay experience before committing to a full academic year
What affects the final number: region (California costs more than the Midwest), housing type (homestay vs. campus dorm vs. boarding), add-ons like health insurance and orientation. We walk through real numbers on your discovery call.
Run the numbers yourself with our budget calculator →Compare Programs at a Glance
Here's how our program types compare on visa, cost, housing, and duration.
| Program | Visa Type | Annual Cost | Housing | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding School | F-1 | $28,950–$75,000+ | On-campus (included) | 1–4 years | Families wanting structured campus environment |
| F-1 Private School | F-1 | $14,000–$35,000 | Host family or dorm | 1–4 years | Families targeting specific schools or multi-year plans |
| F-1 Public School | F-1 | From $18,000 | Host family | 1–4 years | Families wanting a U.S. public school choice program experience |
| J-1 Cultural Exchange | J-1 | $8,000–$15,000 | Host family | 1 semester – 1 year | Budget-conscious families wanting cultural immersion |
| Short-Term Programs | F-1 | $3,500–$9,000 | Varies | 2–12 weeks | Families wanting a trial experience before committing |
| 21-Day Summer Exchange | B-1/B-2 Tourist | From $2,500 | Host family | 21 days | Trial homestay before a full academic year |
Costs are annual estimates based on a 10-month academic year and vary by school, region, and add-ons. Use our budget calculator for a personalized estimate.
What Working With Us Looks Like
Five steps. Clear at every stage. No hand-offs to junior staff.
You work directly with people who know your child's name, story, and situation — from the first conversation through move-in day and beyond.
- 01
We Talk
You tell us about your child — who they are, how they learn, what matters most to your family. Twenty minutes, free, no commitment. You leave with clarity on which pathway fits and a frank assessment of whether we're the right match.
- 02
We Build a Shortlist
Specific schools and programs selected for your child — not a generic brochure list. Each one comes with a clear reason why it's a match: academics, environment, ESL support, extracurriculars, budget. We explain our thinking.
- 03
You Choose. We Handle the Rest.
Applications, visa paperwork (F-1 or J-1), SEVIS compliance, homestay coordination, school onboarding. We do the bureaucratic heavy lifting so you can focus on the actual decision.
- 04
Your Child Arrives. We Stay.
Regular check-ins with your child and the school after enrollment. If something's off — the fit, the homestay, homesickness, culture shock — we step in. You're never left managing a problem alone.
- 05
Long-Term Relationship, Not a One-Off Placement
Families come back when siblings are ready, or when their student wants to extend. We're in this for the long game, not just the enrollment.
Most families go from first call to confirmed placement in 4–8 weeks.
Your Child Learns Differently. That's Something We Actually Know How to Work With.
Christina has deep expertise in neuroinclusion and IEP advocacy. We match students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and anxiety to schools that genuinely understand how they learn — not schools that just check a box saying they do.
We also coach parents on navigating the U.S. support system for neurodivergent learners, because it shouldn't take a PhD to get your child the right accommodations in a foreign country.
Learn About Our Neurodiverse Support →Questions Families Always Ask
Real answers. No PR-speak.
OK but really — how much does this cost?
Straight talk: we use transparent tiers so families can plan. Summer programs typically run $3,500–$9,000. Day school plus homestay placements often land $18,000–$35,000 per academic year. Boarding options range from $29,000–$75,000+. We walk through real numbers on your discovery call — no hidden fees, no "contact us to find out" games. We also help identify merit-based and need-based scholarships at partner schools.
What actually happens on the discovery call — is it a sales pitch?
Twenty minutes. You tell us about the student — who they are, how they learn, what matters most. We tell you honestly which pathway fits (or if we're not the right match). No pitch, no pressure, no cost. Think of it as a conversation, not a consultation.
Is the U.S. actually safe right now?
Yes — and this is worth talking about directly rather than tiptoeing around it. We only work with schools in communities where international students are genuinely welcome and well-supported. Every homestay family is vetted through background checks and a home visit. Our students have a real point of contact throughout their stay — someone who picks up the phone. We've been doing this for 15 years across 42+ countries. Safety is something we've solved, not something we're nervous about.
Visas, paperwork, bureaucracy — do you handle all of that?
We handle the school-side paperwork and make sure everything is SEVIS-compliant — that's the federal system that tracks international students. For immigration law specifics, we connect you with attorneys who specialize in F-1 and J-1 student visas. You won't be Googling visa requirements at 2 a.m. alone.
My child learns differently. Can you actually support that?
Absolutely — and it's one of our proudest specialties. Christina has deep expertise in neuroinclusion and IEP advocacy. We match students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and anxiety to schools that genuinely understand how they learn — not schools that just say they do. We also coach parents on navigating the U.S. support system for neurodivergent learners, because it shouldn't take a PhD to get your child the right accommodations.
What if it's not working? What if my child wants to come home?
This is exactly why we don't disappear after enrollment. If something's off — the school fit, the homestay, homesickness, culture shock — we step in immediately. We talk to everyone involved, problem-solve together, and if the placement needs to change, we make it happen. Your child is never stuck and you're never alone in this.
Ready to Stop Overthinking This?
Take the 6-question quiz to see matched schools with real pricing — or book a free call and we'll talk through it together.
Enrollment windows close earlier than most families expect. Starting the conversation now gives your student the widest range of options.
Not ready for a quiz? Estimate your costs first.
2,000+ families have started here.
Or Just Drop Us a Message
A real human will reach out within 24 hours with a plan that actually makes sense.