Which tests are required for U.S. high school applications?

The mainstream combination is TOEFL Junior / TOEFL + SSAT; some day schools accept a Vericant interview in place of certain test scores, while top boarding schools generally require the SSAT.

How much does a year of U.S. high school cost?

Boarding school tuition plus room and board runs about RMB 450,000-600,000 per year; day school plus a host family about RMB 300,000-450,000. Figures as of June 2026; check each school's website for the latest.

Boarding or day school — how do we choose?

Boarding schools offer mature management and concentrated on-campus resources; day schools immerse students in local families, with a stronger language environment and lower total cost. Decide based on the child's independence and the family budget.

How do parents stay involved and informed?

You are kept in the loop throughout: regular three-way meetings and milestone reports during the application season; after enrollment, the guardianship team reports on academics and life every semester, with immediate communication on anything significant.

How should we read U.S. high school rankings?

Do not fixate on overall rankings. Niche grades (A+/A) reflect overall quality, but what matters more is the college matriculation list, the international student ratio and support system, and whether the school's strong programs and activities match your child. An A-rated school that fits well often delivers better four-year outcomes than squeezing into an A+ school where the child is marginalized — our selection approach is fit first, with tier as the backstop.

My child's English is average — can they keep up?

This is the most common concern, and the answer depends on placement: many of our partner schools offer ESL language support courses, and the home immersion of day schools accelerates progress fastest. We arrange language-transition planning before enrollment, and the guardianship team follows up with academic reports every semester. Typically, everyday and classroom English are up to speed within one school year — younger students are right in the language window, and that is their advantage.

Can my child transfer into a U.S. high school midway through school in China?

Yes — U.S. high schools accept mid-course transfers (such as repeating 9th grade or a lateral 10th-to-10th move), with spots in both spring and fall, though transfer openings at top boarding schools are scarce and competition concentrated. Transfer students still need TOEFL/SSAT scores and interviews, and transcript alignment must be handled carefully. The earlier you plan, the more options you have — we set the application round based on seat availability at target schools.

High School Admissions

U.S. High School Application Services

Studying abroad at a younger age has become a must-consider option for more and more affluent families. The rich curriculum of U.S. high schools emphasizes not only academic depth but also creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. More importantly, U.S. high school students enjoy distinct advantages when applying to college, with a higher likelihood of admission to top universities.

View High School Admission Cases

Broad Partner School Network

Long-standing, deep partnerships with U.S. boarding and day schools — we match schools to each child's personality and academic goals.

Dedicated Language and Test Planning

Phased prep roadmaps for TOEFL Junior / TOEFL / SSAT, while keeping school grades on track.

Full Support for Younger Students

Includes guardianship arrangements, host family screening, and on-the-ground support, with regular academic and life reports to parents.

Pathways

Which Grade Is the Best Time to Go?

Pathway Features

The Golden Main Channel：Apply in China’s 8th grade and enter US Grade 9 after middle school, enjoying the full four years of US high school—the most spots, the healthiest competitive structure, and the primary entry point for top boarding schools.

Fullest Runway for College Applications：Four years is enough to climb the course-rigor ladder, shape an activity throughline, and build recommendation letters—putting you on the same starting line as domestic students when applying to US colleges.

Language Window Advantage：Ages 13–14 fall within the golden window for language acquisition; most students reach classroom and daily fluency within one school year.

Plan Early：The standard rhythm: start language and activity prep in 7th grade, complete TOEFL + SSAT in the first semester of 8th grade, and submit in December–January (top boarding schools mostly close 1/15 and release decisions 3/10).

Key Data

Test Combination

TOEFL + SSAT

Submission Window

Dec–Jan 15

Decisions

Mar 10

Spots

Most plentiful

Costs are RMB estimates; data as of June 2026 — refer to official university websites for the latest figures

Is it too late to start preparing for 8-to-9 in 8th grade?

It is doable but tight: focus on language over the summer, take a first TOEFL in the fall, push for the SSAT in November–December, and advance essays and interview training in parallel. If test scores clearly fall short, apply along a 9-to-9 plan in parallel to keep your options open.

Pathway Features

US High School in Three Years：Apply in 9th grade and enter Grade 10—one year less tuition and time than 8-to-9, while keeping a three-year runway to support college applications.

Noticeably Fewer Spots：Top boarding schools admit far fewer students into Grade 10 than Grade 9, with higher implicit expectations for test scores and school grades.

Suited to Families Deciding Later：The mainstream choice for students who settle on studying abroad in 9th grade—also a fit for high-achieving students in the domestic system who want to switch tracks directly.

Heavier Transition Pressure：Course selection and GPA pressure begin on day one, and language and academics must both land within a year—pre-departure bridging support shows its clearest value on this path.

Key Data

Test Combination

TOEFL + SSAT

Submission Window

Dec–Jan 15

Spots

Fewer

Runway

3 years

Costs are RMB estimates; data as of June 2026 — refer to official university websites for the latest figures

How should I choose between 9-to-10 and 8-to-9?

If time allows, prioritize 8-to-9: the compounding value of four full years for college applications far outweighs one year of saved tuition. For students already in 9th grade with a solid language base, 9-to-10 is the efficient choice; if language is still weak, consider repeating Grade 9 (9-to-9), trading a buffer year for a steadier start.

Pathway Features

Trade a Buffer Year for a Full Four Years：Students in China’s 9th or 10th grade can repeat Grade 9 in the US: a double buffer for language and academics, in exchange for the full four years of US high school and a calmer college application rhythm.

Widely Accepted at US High Schools：Repeating carries no stigma in US high school culture—admissions officers care more about your growth curve after enrollment; the age assessment (most schools require entering at 15 or younger) is the main threshold.

Suited to Late Language Starters：For students whose test scores are not there yet but who learn quickly, this path avoids the risk of falling behind from day one.

Openings in Spring and Fall：Mid-year spots open dynamically as students withdraw or transfer out; top schools require watching for openings, and we stay synced with partner schools on availability.

Key Data

Age Threshold

≤15 at entry (most schools)

Test Combination

TOEFL (+SSAT at some schools)

Intake Seasons

Spring & fall

Runway

4 years

Costs are RMB estimates; data as of June 2026 — refer to official university websites for the latest figures

Will repeating a year be seen as “being held back” and hurt future college applications?

No. US colleges look at your four-year US high school transcript and growth trajectory; in application materials, 9-to-9 simply reads as a normal four-year enrollment record. Admissions officers are highly accepting of a “bridge year” for international students—what actually hurts is enrolling unprepared and damaging your GPA.

Pathway Features

Lateral Move for Current 10th Graders：Students in China’s 10th grade or US Grade 9 can transfer laterally into US Grade 10 without losing a year.

Scarcest Spots：Grade 10 openings at top boarding schools depend on attrition and are typically in the single digits—broaden the school list; day schools and A-rated boarding schools are the realistic mainstays.

Transcripts Carry More Weight：The current transcript becomes the core material; GPA, course rigor, and teacher recommendations outweigh standardized tests.

Do Not Wait Any Longer：Transferring in Grade 11 is generally not recommended: college applications begin before a GPA at the new school is established, and recommendations and activities cannot catch up—if you want a change, Grade 10 is the last window.

Key Data

Core Materials

Current transcript + recommendations

Test Combination

TOEFL + SSAT

Spots

Scarce (opening-dependent)

Last Window

Grade 10

Costs are RMB estimates; data as of June 2026 — refer to official university websites for the latest figures

I am not adjusting well in Grade 9 at a US high school—can I transfer for Grade 10?

Yes, and it is common: apply with your Grade 9 transcript and school record to move into a better-fitting school. The key is framing “why transfer” around academic and resource needs rather than adjustment issues, and making sure current teachers are willing to write supportive recommendations. We evaluate staying at the current school and transferring side by side before deciding.

Process

U.S. High School Application Process

Step 1

Tailor-Made Application Plan

Multiple in-depth family conversations to fully understand the child
Deep exploration of strengths, weaknesses, and potential
Profile-building activities agreed by all three parties (arts & humanities / sports / community service / international competitions)

Step 2

Application Planning

Application plan built around the child's highlights
TOEFL / SSAT test scheduling
Guidance at every key application milestone

Step 3VIP Only

Interview Practice Training

1-on-1 live simulations with former admissions officers
Interview etiquette and social-culture coaching
Full coverage of Vericant / Skype / on-campus interviews

Step 4

Precise School Selection

Child's interests and strengths matched with materials
In-depth school research and matching
Final school list agreed with the family

Step 5

Essay Coaching

Writing and polishing to each school's essay requirements
Deep exploration of the child's experiences and highlights
Parallel coaching on parent statements

Step 6

Campus Visits and Interview Accompaniment

Help scheduling campus visits and on-campus interviews
U.S. travel itinerary advice
Early contact with schools to create opportunities

Step 7

Application Progress Management

Close communication with family and schools
Materials submission and deadline management
A smooth path to completed applications

Step 8

Admission and Enrollment Transition

Early orientation to U.S. high school learning
Guardianship and host family arrangements
Academic and life follow-up after enrollment

Planning Phase

Application Phase

Admission Phase

Partner Schools

Selected Partner High Schools

Long-term partnerships with A / A+ rated boarding and day schools across the US, matched to each student’s personality and academic goals

Niche

School

City

Grades

A+

Ribet Academy

Los Angeles

1~11

Arroyo Pacific Academy

Arcadia

9~12

A+

American Heritage School · Palm Beach

Delray Beach

8~11

A+

St. Andrew's School

Barrington

9~12

California Crosspoint Academy

Hayward

6~11

Orange Lutheran High School

Orange

9~12

Roanoke Catholic School

Roanoke

9~11

Grand River Academy

Livonia

8~11

John Bapst School

Bangor

9~12

A+

Gaston Day School

Gastonia

8~12

A+

Watkinson School

Hartford

7~11

A+

The Steward School

Richmond

9~11

A+

Calvary Day School

Winston-Salem

9~12

A+

The Seven Hills School

Cincinnati

9~11

St. John Jesuit High School

Toledo

6~12

A+

Saint Joseph Notre Dame HS

Alameda

9~12

A+

San Domenico School

San Anselmo

9~12

Fairfield College Preparatory School

Fairfield

9~12

A+

Ranney School

Tinton Falls

7~11

St. Vincent–St. Mary High School

Akron

9~11

A+

The Knox School

St. James

7~12

A+

Loyola School

New York

9~11

A+

Dunn School

Los Olivos

9~11

The Marvelwood School

Kent

9~11

A+

Rocky Hill Country Day School

East Greenwich

9~12

Grace Brethren School

Simi Valley

7~12

A+

Brimmer And May School

Boston

1~12

A+

The King's Academy

Sunnyvale

6~12

A+

Regina Dominican High School

Wilmette

9~12

Rio Lindo Adventist Academy

Healdsburg

9~12

Plans

Choose the Plan That Fits You

Application Package

School selection + full application process

✓Family planning consultation
✓School list and campus visit scheduling
✓Vericant / on-campus interview coaching
✓Application materials and submission

Common Questions About U.S. High School Admissions

The most common path is applying in 8th-9th grade in China and entering a U.S. high school in 9th grade, for a full four-year experience; we recommend entering no later than 10th grade to leave enough runway for college applications.