The International Student Program

The Colorado Springs School seeks to enroll qualified international students to join with us in the pursuit of learning and personal growth. During any given year, approximately 15% of the Upper School student body is from a variety of other countries. We value a range of viewpoints, experiences, customs, and traditions, and find our international students to be an important part of our global perspective. The school also offers a Homestay Program for international students. Successful international students can expect to participate fully in class and also in extracurricular activities. It is our hope that students will fully embrace the complete CSS experience both in and out of the classroom and in turn share their culture with the CSS community.

In previous years, CSS has hosted international students from South Korea, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Japan, Chile, Argentina, France, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, and Spain.

Host Family Option

• Host parents act as surrogate parents for the student, helping them adjust to a new culture and language and to negotiate the stress of beginning a new school.
• The most successful host/student relationships occur when students participate in family activities, show an interest in their host brothers and sisters, keep their rooms neat, and abide by the family's rules.
• Many students and host families create relationships that evolve into long lasting friendships.
• CSS will place your student with a host family that is connected to the school. Most host families are parents of students, past students or faculty members. The school completes background checks on all host families.
• In addition to Upper School students in host families, CSS accepts international students in grades 1-8 who stay with their relatives living in the area.
• The host family will welcome you into their home as a member of the family. Their commitments include providing transportation and support for your activities outside of school hours such as sports, art, music, and theatre.
• In addition to teachers, advisors, and host families, international students have an International Student Program Coordinator whose job it is to help you with problems and concerns.

College Placement

• CSS prepares both American and international students for some of the best colleges in the country. Recent CSS graduates have matriculated to fine institutions such as Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins, MIT, University of Pennsylvania, and Williams.
• The CSS College Counseling Program begins in a student's freshman year to help students identify and investigate colleges. Each year the process intensifies as students visit with college representatives and work through the application process. Finally, the students use college counseling to select a college that suits his/her individual needs.
• CSS can provide the opportunity to graduate from an American school by fulfilling the CSS graduation requirements or can provide a one-year program for students who will return to their own countries to complete their educations.

Information for Agents

• CSS has a long history of cooperating successfully with agents to facilitate the logistics of placing international students. Our primary goal is to ensure that students are well matched to the school and to the family.
• The staff at CSS understands that agents are responsible to parents and other agents in addition to the students. We work hard to ensure that everyone�s needs are met.
• CSS Admissions, Business Office, and International Student Coordinator value good working relationships with our agents and work hard to communicate proactively so that agents and parents are informed about students� needs and progress.

The Admission Process

• Step 1: Submit complete application including translated transcripts and recommendation. - Click here for the International Student Application
• Step 2: Submit SLEP test scores (minimum score 55).
• Step 3: Complete a phone interview with the Admission Office. To set an appointment with the admission staff, email skosar@css.org. Please call (719) 434-3514 at the appointed time.

Other Important Information

• Beyond the rigorous academic educational opportunitities at CSS, students will also have the opportunity to explore Colorado Springs and the inspirational environment of our mountain setting. Learn more about the city of Colorado Springs and surrounding areas.
• Most international students staying beyond one semester or school year do go home for the two-week Winter Break and during Summer Vacations. However, arrangements can be made to stay with a host family over the holidays.
• CSS can help secure excellent tutors for English language learner needs.

Hosting a Student

Tuition and Fees

Children's School (K-5)

• Tuition: $12,975.00
• Deposit: $2,500.00

Middle School (6-8)

• Tuition: $16,315.00
• Deposit: $3,000.00

Upper School (9-12)

• Tuition: $17,675.00
• Homestay Fee: $9,000.00
• Deposit: $4,000.00