Welcome, Young Explorer!
Thinking about studying in another country? This section is just for you and your family. We'll explain everything in simple words.
For students ages 5 to 14 and their parents.
Pick your age group
Different ages have different paths. Tap yours to see what's right for you.
Questions young students ask
What is a boarding school?
A boarding school is a school where students live, not just attend classes. You sleep in a dorm with other students, eat in a dining hall, and make friends from all over the world. Parents visit on weekends or during school breaks.
What's the difference between school and college?
School is for ages 5–18 (elementary, middle, and high school). College or university is what comes after, usually starting at age 18. You pick a subject you love (like science or art) and spend 3–4 years learning it deeply.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is money that helps pay for school. Schools give scholarships to students who work hard, do well in activities, or have big dreams. You apply, and if chosen, the school pays some or all of your tuition.
Will I miss my family?
Yes — everyone does at first! That's normal. Schools have counselors and "house parents" to help you settle in. You can video-call your family, and most students go home for holidays. By the end of the first month, most students love it.
What if my English isn't great?
Many schools have ESL (English as a Second Language) support. They help you learn English while you study other subjects. You don't need to be fluent before you arrive — you'll improve quickly when you're surrounded by English every day.
Little Learners path
At this age, most children don't study abroad full-time. But there are great ways to start the journey early.
International Summer Camps
2–4 week summer camps in the USA or Canada. Kids learn English, make friends, and experience a new culture. Parents usually travel with younger kids.
Find ACA-accredited camps ↗Language Immersion Programs
Short-term (2–6 week) English programs for children. Good preparation before applying to boarding schools later.
EF Kids & Teens ↗International Schools Near You
Your home country likely has international or IB schools that teach in English. This prepares you for boarding school later.
Find IB schools worldwide ↗Online Enrichment
Free kid-friendly learning: Khan Academy Kids, National Geographic Kids, BBC Bitesize, Scratch. Start building English and academic skills now.
Khan Academy Kids ↗Middle school age path
This is the youngest age where full-time international study becomes common. A few top boarding schools accept students starting at grade 5 or 7.
Boarding Schools (Grades 5–8)
A few elite schools accept international students from grade 5 — Appleby, Upper Canada College, Ridley in Canada. Phillips Andover and Groton start at grade 8.
Browse boarding schools →Prepare for the SSAT
The Secondary School Admission Test is required by most boarding schools. There's a Middle Level version (grades 5–7) and Upper Level (grades 8–11). Free practice at ssat.org.
SSAT official site ↗Build Your Profile
Schools look for good grades, English skills, creativity, and activities you care about. Music, sports, coding, art — pick things you love and go deep.
Junior Summer Programs
2-week summer programs at Yale, Oxford, Columbia designed for ages 12–15. A great preview of boarding school life.
See summer programs →High school age path
The most common age to start international study. Boarding schools, day schools, and pre-college summer programs are all open to you.
Boarding Schools (Grades 9–12)
Phillips Exeter, Andover, Lawrenceville, Hotchkiss, Choate, Deerfield — all the classic elite boarding schools. Great path to top U.S./Canadian universities.
Browse boarding schools →Private Day Schools
If your family is relocating (parent's work visa), top private day schools like Harvard-Westlake, Sidwell, Horace Mann are excellent.
Browse day schools →Pre-College Summer
3–6 week summer programs at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Brown, Columbia for high-schoolers. You live on campus and take real college courses.
See pre-college programs →Standardized Tests
At this age, start thinking about SAT or ACT (for college). Also TOEFL or IELTS for English. Khan Academy has free SAT prep.
See test prep →Reading this with your child?
Here's the practical guidance side-by-side with the kid-friendly explanations above.
👨👩👧 Parent checklist
- Start earlyMost top boarding schools have deadlines in January for the following September. Apply 10–12 months ahead.
- Budget for $65k–$80k/yearElite boarding schools in the US cost ~$65–70k; day schools similar. Canadian schools are often 10–20% less.
- Apply for financial aidMany boarding schools offer need-based aid even to international families. Phillips Andover is effectively need-blind. Apply; don't assume you won't qualify.
- Visit the school (virtually or in person)Every boarding school offers virtual tours and interviews. If you can travel, visit your top 2–3 choices before deciding.
- Prepare for the F-1 visa (US) or Study Permit (Canada)Required for boarding students. See our Visa page.
- Plan guardianshipStudents under 18 in the US usually need a designated guardian who lives in the country. Boarding schools often have guardian services or preferred partners.
- Think about summer and holidaysUS schools have 2–3 weeks at Christmas, 1 week in March, and ~2 months in summer. Plan whether your child comes home or stays with a host family.