International Student Program

As is the case with all Whitfield students, international students need to demonstrate solid academic performance, receive strong teacher recommendations, and show co-curricular and community interests. Success in our classrooms requires students to possess a command of the English language—both oral and written.

Application Requirements:

• Standard Application Online (Biographic Information, Student Essays, and Parent Statement). School code: 8196. Application fee: $125.00.

• Transcripts (Current year and two previous years including grades, attendance, and discipline records; all transcripts must be translated to English)

• Two (2) Teacher Recommendation Forms (Math & English)

• Personal Recommendation Form

• Family Interview (via Zoom). Please contact Heather Carreiro, director of enrollment management, to arrange an interview time in your time zone.

• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Scores (TOEFL ID: B159)

International students must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score as part of their application to demonstrate the English language proficiency needed to engage thoroughly and thoughtfully in rigorous course work. Score minimums are listed below.

See the Duolingo English Test comparison chart for more information. 

For those students still developing the highest level of English proficiency, Whitfield offers two levels of English Language for International Students, which international students take in addition to the English Language Arts (Literature and Writing) class designated for their grade level. This class fulfills the school’s language requirement.

Because of our commitment to global learning, all Whitfield students are required to study an additional language (French, Mandarin, or Spanish) through our World Languages department. Therefore, international students who demonstrate C2-level mastery for English proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening may enroll in another World Language instead of the English support class.

Whitfield partners with Cambridge Network to provide a robust and fully-supported homestay program with local St. Louis families. Cambridge Network is an accredited and certified international student exchange organization and homestay provided by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). 

Homestay fees cover room, board, and transportation. The annual homestay fee for the academic year 2026-2027 is $22,214 USD. This fee is paid directly to Cambridge Network and covers the host family stipend as well as regional field coordination. 

The Whitfield School welcomes new international applicants for the homestay program from grades 8 through 11. For international students grades 6 through 12 coming to St. Louis and living with their immediate families, no additional international fees are required. 

Grade 6 and 7 applicants for homestay will only be considered under exceptional circumstances, such as accompanying an older sibling or having a supportive family member in the St. Louis area. 

To learn more about the homestay program with Cambridge Network, please contact Heather Carreiro, director of enrollment management.

For students who do not hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, Whitfield will issue the SEVIS Form I-20 upon receipt of the required deposit and signed Enrollment Contract. The SEVIS Form I-20 must be presented to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the student’s country of residence. Upon completion of the family interview and review of materials, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will then issue the student visa with F-1 status for entry to the United States and attendance at Whitfield.

U.S. Government Resources
What Is the I20 Form
U.S. Embassy
U.S. Visas

International students are required to pay a lump sum for incidental fees incurred throughout the year in addition to Whitfield’s tuition. This allows for ease of billing at one time, rather than monthly account settlement. 

Tuition & Fees for The Whitfield School

• Whitfield's 2026-2027 tuition: $37,400*
  • 10% of annual tuition is due upon contract signing. This 10% is applied toward the balance due. 
• Incidental Fees: Estimated at $1,200/year
  • Expenses include books, technology fees, Parents' Council fee, athletic gear, band instrument rental, field trips, and optional purchases from the Whitfield Campus Store and Conant Cafe.

These expenses are charged the student account on a monthly basis and are not part of the initial contract. 

Total Annual Contract for Non-Homestay International Students:
$37,400 for the 2026-2027 year 

*Tuition increases 3-5% annually. 

Homestay Fees for International Students:

• Homestay Program with Cambridge Network $22,214
  • Covers room, board, and daily transportation
• US Landing Orientation Fee: $1,000
• In-Country Orientation Fee: Up to $2,000
• New International Student Orientation: Up to $3,000
  • This fee is only charged in the enrollment year and varies based on programming in the country of origin. 
• Emergency Fund: $2,000
• Health Insurance: Cambridge Network homestay applicants purchase International Student Sickness and Accident insurance through the program for a flat fee of $1997.79 for the 2026-2027 school year. Whitfield’s insurance provider for non-homestay applicants is ISO Student Health Insurance. With ISO, rates vary by age and enrollment choices. 

*Please note that lunch during school days is included in tuition and includes a generous buffet with hot entrees, sandwich bar, soup bar, rice station, and more.

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Merit & Character Scholarships 

The Whitfield School offers competitive $5,000 annual scholarships for new applicants based on merit and character. Applicants are considered for these scholarships automatically as part of the application process. Scholarships are renewable annually. 

Financial Assistance 

International applicant families may apply for need-based financial assistance up to 20% of tuition costs. Please note that homestay fees, health insurance, orientation fees, and incidental fees are not calculated in awards and are paid in full by all international applicants. 

To apply for financial assistance, families must complete an application in Clarity prior to the application deadline. The application will ask you to provide income and asset information for both biological parents and their households. If a students’ parents are divorced or separated, it is expected that each household will provide financial information separately and confidentially through the Clarity application. For families with US-based income, IRS verification will be conducted. For international families, you may be asked to provide manual verification of income in the form of tax documentation, pay stubs, or other relevant documents. 

Full Scholarships

Please note that The Whitfield School does not grant “full-ride” scholarships for any students, domestic or international. Prospective students often ask about athletic scholarships; we do not offer athletic scholarships as this would not comply with our membership requirements for Missouri-based sporting competitions. 

If you have any questions about financial assistance or scholarships for international students, please contact Heather Carreiro, director of enrollment management. 

International students entering grades 8 to 11 (ages 12+) are welcome to join Whitfield’s 3-week intensive language immersion program in July 2026. In partnership with ED Homestay, students will experience American culture, college campuses, and intensive language learning in Chicago and St. Louis. 

Grounded in WIDA-aligned instruction, WISE combines full EAL (English as an Additional Language) and AED (Academic English Development) support, hands-on learning, and real-world language practice to build academic English proficiency and cultural confidence. Hosted in St. Louis on site at the Whitfield School campus—known for its inclusive community, innovative teaching, and strong academic tradition—WISE provides students with an inspiring environment where language learning and cultural discovery come to life. 

WIDA is the gold-standard for English language education, and it is our goal for all students to see measurable progress in their English language development during the course of the program. 

• Program Dates: July 12th to August 1st 2026 
• Program Costs: $2,800/week all inclusive of English instruction, activities, meals, hotel stays, homestay with American families, transportation from Chicago to St. Louis and back, and four (4) unique college visits 

WISE students will also learn about the admissions process for The Whitfield School and have an opportunity to fast-track their full-time enrollment application. 

To learn more about WISE, contact Heather Carreiro, director of enrollment management.