Westlake Christian Academy accepts a limited number of international students for grades 7–12. Our primary mission is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ. Students also receive a quality education, which will prepare them for higher education, if that is their desire. Westlake students receive multiple methods of supportive and specifically tailored instruction to meet their needs and lead them toward success.
To inquire about Westlake’s International Student Program, please email us. To apply, please download the application and return a completed copy via email.
10 Steps to International Student Admission
Thank you for your interest in the Westlake Christian Academy International Student Program. This outline will guide you through the steps of the admissions process. Please read fully and make sure you are able to complete all the required steps before beginning. The whole process can take several months to complete, so please be sure to begin the process no later than April. The deadline for applying is June 1 for the following school year that begins in August.
1. Apply Online
The student may complete an application in one of two ways:
- Online Form: Create an Account, Verify Email, Sign in and Create New Student Application, Select “International Student,” Complete Application.
- Paper Form (print, complete, scan, and email to ISP@westlakechristian.org.
Once a student’s application is received, Westlake Christian Admissions will review the application and then contact the student for the next steps in continuing the admissions process.
2. Academic Documentation and Forms
Once the initial application has been received by the school, the student will be contacted with instructions on providing supplemental documentation for academic qualification and evaluation. The following are required:
- Official Academic Transcripts from the current and previous year, translated into english and evaluated for credit.
- English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL or ITEP SLATE Plus), unless prior studies have been completed in English.
- Teacher Recommendations (3 references: Math teacher, English teacher, and one teacher of your choice)
3. Video Interview
After completing Steps 1 and 2, a live video interview will be scheduled with the student applicant and the international admissions team. This allows the school and the student to better get to know one another. The student’s parents should also be available to meet our staff and talk after the student was interviewed. The interview may last between 30-60 minutes. No advance preparation is necessary.
4. Additional Documentation
The following documentation must be on file in order to be eligible for a final admission decision. This may be submitted at any point prior to the Admission Decision (Step 5).
- Copy of Passport
- Copy of Birth Certificate (if applicable)
- Immunization Records
- Recent Health Records
- All students must also have a Sponsor Statement of Financial Support on file in order for the school to issue an I-20 form.
The admissions office will provide any additional forms that need to be completed at this time.
5. Admissions Review and Decision
Once the video chat interview has concluded and we have received all additional documentation from Step 4, an admissions decision will be made within 7 business days of the receipt of all documentation. The student and family will be contacted within that timeframe with the admissions decision.
Upon acceptance, the student will receive:
- An official acceptance letter
- An enrollment contract
- An I-20 form, mailed to the student’s home address
- Information and next steps on a host home
6. Commit to Westlake Christian Academy
After acceptance to Westlake Christian, the student and family must complete the following in order to guarantee a spot in the program:
- Enrollment Contract: Upon acceptance to Westlake Christian, the student’s family must sign and return the enrollment contract within two weeks.
- USD $1,000 student deposit must be submitted within the same two-week period. This may be paid through our FACTS family portal.
- Obtain F-1 Visa by scheduling an appointment with the US Embassy to begin the F-1 Visa process (this process can take several weeks).
7. Make Final Payment
Any remaining balance for the full school year is due by June 1 or within 10 calendar days of successfully being approved through the F-1 Student Visa appointment. The full cost of tuition and board for international students is USD $24,370.00*. The student’s family and/or a sponsor is expected to be responsible for the full amount.
8. Submit Travel Details
The student’s family should purchase airline flights to O’Hare International Airport, (Chicago, IL) and inform the International Designated School Official of the student’s travel plans. School starts in mid-August. We encourage new students to plan on arriving in Illinois by August 10 in order to become acclimated and bond with the host family.
9. Course Schedule and Host Family Assignment
The student will work closely with the College Guidance Counselor to determine a course of classes. The student will also receive the following:
- Parent-Student Handbook
- Student Calendar
- Dress Code information
- Technology requirements and other related information
Information on a Host family will also be conveyed at this time. A thorough evaluation process is completed to match international students with the best match in a host family.
10. Begin at Westlake Christian Academy
International students are expected to arrive in Chicago, IL in mid-August, approximately one week prior to the start of classes. They will meet their host family, tour the campus facilities, and meet their teachers before the start of the school year. Host families and the International Designated Official will organize airport pick-up to welcome the student.