San Francisco Christian School warmly welcomes international students into a safe, supportive community where academic excellence is grounded in biblical truth. Whether you’re seeking strong college-prep academics or a caring host family environment, SFCS is a place where students grow in character, confidence, and faith.
For over 50 years, SFCS has helped students from around the world thrive—not just in school, but in life.
environment
A safe and welcoming environment with strong Christian values
CLASS SIZE
Small class sizes for personalized attention
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Daily Bible classes and weekly chapels
ACADEMIC GROWTH
High academic standards and caring teachers
HOST FAMILIES
Host family experience with mature Christian mentors
LOCATION
Convenient location near San Francisco International Airport
“I’ve seen students who arrive nervous and unsure grow into confident young adults who know God, speak English fluently, and are ready for college. SFCS becomes their second home.”
Important International Dates
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Not only is San Francisco Christian School one of the best private high schools, but we are also a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. This means one of our designated school officials (DSO) can create a Form I-20 for our international student applicants so they can receive their F-1 student visa. What’s better than getting an opportunity for your child to learn at one of the best schools in the San Francisco Bay Area that offers an English-immersion program?
We accept international students for grades K–12 (12th grade is fall semester admission only). Our international school admissions process has 4 steps: Application, Interview, Acceptance, and Deposit and Enrollment. The documents required for application are available for download at the bottom of this page. You may email these documents to Mrs. Tasha Barrett ([email protected]), our Admissions Officer, and contact her with any questions.
For questions about the F-1 visa and Form I-20, email us or visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students.
1. Complete International Student Application
2. Copy of Passport and your most recent Form I-20 (Recent Form I-20 needed for U.S. transfers only)
3. Transcripts (three most recent school years)
4. 2 Recommendation Letters (one from your English teacher and one from the principal/counselor)
5. English Proficiency Exam score for non-native English speakers grades 7–12*
6. Proof of Funds**
7. Non-refundable application fee of $250 ($200 during Early Admission)
(Contact Mrs. Tasha Barrett in admissions for ways to pay application fee.)
*ACCEPTABLE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAMS, SCORES, AND RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVELS:
All other tests must be approved by San Francisco Christian School prior to acceptance.
**PROOF OF FUNDS:
This must be a document (e.g., bank statement) indicating that the student has enough funds to cover one full year at our international school (tuition and living expenses), regardless of the semester the student is admitted. Many visa officers will want to see a higher-than-minimum amount of funds on the bank statement. Because of this, we recommend having a bank statement of at least 50,000 USD.
Teacher and principal/counselor recommendation forms are requested from the student’s current school directly by SFCS for students applying to 6th–12th grades.
A child enrolling in kindergarten beginnings must be four years old by December 1.*
A child enrolling in kindergarten must be five years old by December 1.*
When you receive your Acceptance Letter, please submit your non-refundable*** $2,500 Enrollment Deposit and your completed International Student Enrollment Contract to secure your place in the class. When SFCS receives your Enrollment Deposit and International Student Enrollment Contract, we will issue your official Form I-20 by email.
***Students who fail their F-1 visa interview twice may send their rejection letters to Mrs. Tasha Barrett at [email protected] to receive a $2,000 refund.