Your Child's Path to U.S. Top Universities
A safe, structured, and personal American education — SEVP certified, with free ESL support, flexible boarding options, and college counseling from day one.
Everything an International Family Needs
I-20 & F-1 Visa
SHA is SEVP-certified and issues Form I-20 directly, supporting your child's F-1 student visa from start to finish.
Free ESL, K–12
English support is included at no extra cost at every grade level, so students settle smoothly into American classrooms.
A Caring Community
Small classes and a warm, close-knit campus where every international student is known, supported, and feels they belong.
College Counseling
UC A–G curriculum, 31 AP courses, and dedicated counseling — 90% of graduates reach Top-50 U.S. universities.
The Complete American Education
This page covers full-time F-1 enrollment — the complete American education, K–12. Just want a shorter visit? See our Short-Term & Summer Programs instead.
Full-Time Enrollment
For students in grades K–12 — all instruction in English, the F-1 visa with Form I-20 issued by SHA, and the full advantages of a WASC-accredited American education. Choose to live as a day student, or board in our care from Grade 6.
Day or Boarding
Day School
For students living with a parent or an approved local guardian. Your child attends as a day student and goes home each afternoon — with the full academic program, free ESL, and college counseling from day one.
Boarding School
For students whose family is overseas — full residential care at the Eagle's Nest, with three options to suit every family:
- Standard Dorm — two students per bedroom; two bedrooms (four students) share one bathroom, plus balanced meals and a full-time on-site dorm parent.
- Premium Dorm — two students per bedroom, with the bathroom shared only within that room, plus every other comfort of the Eagle's Nest.
- Homestay — live with a carefully screened local family for a warm, immersive, English-everyday home.
Boarding is available from Grade 6 (middle school). Younger students may board only by special approval.
International Tuition & Housing
Tuition may be paid by year (covering two semesters) or by semester. Housing is limited and requires an approved application.
| Tuition | By Year | By Semester |
|---|---|---|
| K – G8 | $29,750 | $19,330 |
| G9 – G12 | $32,600 | $21,190 |
| Housing (Grades 6–12) | By Year | By Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Dormitory | $25,500 | $16,575 |
| Homestay | $27,500 | $17,875 |
| Premium Dorm | $37,500 | $24,375 |
| Security Deposit (one-time) | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Lunch Program | $2,200 | $1,100 |
Housing includes 10 or 5 months of meals, transportation, and custodianship, excluding school-day lunches. The Lunch Program covers on-campus cafeteria meals separately.
| Program Package (mandatory) | By Year | By Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Registration | $300 | $300 |
| Textbook & Workbook | $545 | $355 |
| School Materials | $520 | $330 |
| Activities & Field Trips | $775 | $505 |
| Annual Fundraising | $100 | $100 |
| Package Total | $2,240 | $1,590 |
The program package is mandatory and billed as one bundle — items cannot be opted out, selected individually, or prorated within a semester.
| Application & Pre-Enrollment | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $150 | Required before application processing |
| I-20 Processing Fee | $200 | After approval, before I-20 issuance |
| Tuition Deposit | $3,800 | Paid with I-20 fee; fully refundable upon documented visa denial |
| Optional Services | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Student Health Insurance | $1,500 / year | 12-month coverage; waivable with approved private insurance |
| School Uniforms | $550 (one-time) | Required for new students at first arrival |
| Airport Commute | $200 / round trip | One pick-up and one drop-off |
All fees are non-refundable except the tuition deposit and security deposit. Additional items (after-school classes, extra course credits, graduation and sports fees, study tours) are billed separately. Questions? Email international@shacademy.org or call (626) 919-2000.
Have a local family member too? See Local tuition & fees.
Learning That Begins at Home
Accepted students don't wait for the first day of school — these free SHA resources work from anywhere in the world, in Chinese and 7 other languages.
SHA 世界博物馆 · World Museum
Walk into the world's greatest museums from your desk — masterworks from the Met and beyond, each one told as a story by our AI docent, in your own language.
Visit the museum →学习资源中文指南
Which platforms work in mainland China, what to preview before arrival, and free full courses from MIT, Harvard and Yale — explained in Chinese for parents.
中文指南 →Five Steps to Enrollment
Apply online
Submit your application in English — we reply within one business day.
- Upload the last 2–3 years of transcripts and a passport copy
- Chinese-speaking staff can walk your family through every step
- We review everything and respond within one business day
A friendly online interview
A warm, low-pressure video chat — no travel required.
- A 20–30 minute video call with our admissions team
- We get to know your child's interests and goals
- Language support available
Acceptance letter & Form I-20
Once accepted, settle the first invoice to receive your official documents.
- Pay the first invoice (tuition deposit)
- Receive the official acceptance letter and Form I-20
- SEVP-certified — the I-20 is issued directly by SHA, not an agency
Apply for the F-1 student visa
Take your I-20 to your local U.S. consulate.
- Apply for the F-1 visa at your local U.S. consulate
- Tell us your interview date once it's scheduled
- Let us know if any supporting documents are needed — we're glad to help
Arrive & settle in
The arrival phase begins once the F-1 visa is granted and full tuition is paid.
- We coordinate flights, airport pickup, and move-in at the Eagle's Nest
- You receive the student handbook
- Your support team — ESL teacher, dorm parent, student-affairs liaison — is ready by name
Results Families Can Count On
100% of our graduates are admitted to Top 100 U.S. universities, 90% to the Top 50, with an average SAT of 1280+.
The People Who Know Your Child by Name
The biggest question international parents ask: who takes care of my child day to day? Here is the team — by role, by name. With our dorm team included, it's even more people in your child's corner.
Daily English Support
Works with your child in and beyond class until English is no longer a barrier — included free, K–12.
Boarding Life
Lives on site at the Eagle's Nest. Daily routines, residence rules, and wellbeing — parents' first call for dorm life.
The Parent Bridge
Maintains I-20/SEVIS records and sends parents regular updates on academics and daily life — across time zones.
From Inquiry to Arrival
Your bilingual guide through application, visa, and arrival — the first person your family talks to.
The Path to University
Course planning, AP selection, and university applications — mapped out from the first semester, not senior year.
International Family Questions
Reach International Admissions
Many international families prefer to chat. Add us on WeChat or message us on WhatsApp — in English or Chinese.
Scan to add International Admissions — direct chat in Chinese or English about application, visa, housing, and fees.
Tap to message us on WhatsApp — we reply within one business day, in English or Chinese.
Begin Your Child's American Journey
Our international admissions team supports families in English and Chinese — ask us anything.
We respond within one business day. Prefer to talk? Call +1 (626) 919-2000 or email admissions@shacademy.org.