F-1 Public School
Make a U.S. high school part of your story.
Explore classes, school life and homestay options around your goals. F-1 public high school study is limited to 12 months total. Your district confirms admission, courses and activities; your family receives a school-specific quote.
Semester starting price
From
$18,200 USD
Fall 2027 semester
2027–28 academic year
Published example: Miami-Dade County Public Schools · Choice fall semester.
Housing is included in this program quote. Medical insurance is included. The amount covers the stated semester. Other terms have separate prices.
Confirm before you choose
- School admission, host-family placement and extra fees must be confirmed.
Additional costs:Flights, visa and passport costs, personal spending, optional orientation and additional school-specific fees.
Your family receives a full written quote for the selected school, intake and program before committing.
Find your pathway →Your January 2027 shortlist
Start with a school you can picture.
Explore these recommended school and district options, from Arizona and California to Idaho and Florida.
Mesa, Arizona
Mesa Public Schools
Explore Mesa schools
Gilbert, AZ
Higley Unified School District
Explore school
Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert Public Schools
Explore school
Idaho Falls, ID
Bonneville Joint School District #93
Explore school
Anaheim, CA
Anaheim Union High School District
Explore school
Vero Beach, FL
Indian River Charter High School
Explore school
Miami, FL
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Explore schoolRecommendations updated October 15, 2026 for January 2027. Admission, campus, courses and host-family availability must be confirmed for each student. A recommendation is not a reserved place.
These are a selection of our options. We also help with private day schools, boarding and other U.S. destinations.
Visa rules: U.S. Department of State guidance on F-1 public high schools. Rule checked October 14, 2026.
Why Families Choose F-1 Public School
The best of both worlds — public school authenticity with F-1 visa flexibility.
Up to 12 Months
F-1 public high school attendance is limited to 12 months in total. Changing districts does not reset the limit. We help plan a compliant study period and any later private-school pathway.
Real Public School Experience
Explore classes, clubs and everyday school life in a public school community. Credits, sports participation and any diploma eligibility must be confirmed by the district.
Clear Cost Planning
A school-specific family quote is required. Confirm the full program quote, tuition and housing inclusions before comparing schools.
University Pathway
Discuss how a public-school semester or year fits your longer-term academic goals. The district confirms courses, credit and graduation eligibility; later private-school study requires separate admission.
Your interests matter outside class, too.
Ask about clubs, creative activities and sports alongside your subjects. We also help you think through the homestay routine and transport that make everyday life work.
Each district confirms its activities, tryouts and participation rules. Housing, transport and any extra costs need separate confirmation.
Where F-1 Public Fits
Three pathways, three different trade-offs. Here's the honest comparison.
- Visa: J-1 (cultural exchange)
- Duration: 1 year max
- School: Public (assigned)
- Housing: Volunteer host family
- Cost: Request a current quote
- Best for: Affordable first experience
- Visa: F-1 (academic)
- Duration: 12 months total maximum
- School: Public (choice program)
- Housing: Paid host family
- Cost: Family quote required
- Best for: A defined public high school study period
- Visa: F-1 (academic)
- Duration: Multi-year
- School: Private (full choice)
- Housing: Boarding or paid host family
- Cost: Family quote required
- Best for: Specific school targeting
Compare the complete family quote. Public high school students must pay the full unsubsidized per-student education cost. Program fees, housing, meals, medical insurance and school-specific extras must be checked together. A guide rate is subject to confirmation.
Not sure which pathway is right? That's literally what the first call is for. We'll walk through your student's goals, budget, and timeline — and tell you which program actually makes sense. No commitment, no pressure.
How the F-1 Public School Process Works
Six steps from first call to first day of school — and we're with you at every one.
Timing depends on district admission, documents, housing and visa processing. Your advisor confirms the next available intake.
- 01
Discovery Call & Student Profile
We learn about your student — academic level, interests, goals, personality. We assess whether the F-1 public school pathway is the right fit or if another program makes more sense. Honest advice, not a sales pitch.
- 02
School District Matching
We match your student with a public school district that accepts international students through the choice program. Region, academics, extracurriculars, community — all factored in.
- 03
Enrollment & I-20 Issuance
The school district issues the I-20 form for F-1 visa processing. We coordinate enrollment paperwork, academic records, immunization requirements, and everything the district needs.
- 04
Visa & SEVIS
We walk you through the SEVIS fee (I-901), visa interview prep, and document assembly. Visa issuance is decided by U.S. authorities.
- 05
Housing Placement
Your student is placed with a vetted host family near the school. Background checks, home visits, and interviews — same standards we hold for every placement.
- 06
Arrival & Ongoing Support
Orientation, school introduction, and a support structure that lasts the entire program. Regular check-ins, academic monitoring, and someone to call when things come up.
What's Included
No hidden fees. Here's what the program covers.
School District Matching
Matched to a public school district that accepts F-1 students through the choice program — based on academics, location, extracurriculars, and community fit.
F-1 Visa Support
I-20 issuance coordination, SEVIS fee guidance, visa interview prep, and document assembly. We handle the bureaucracy.
Host Family Placement
Vetted host family near the school — background checks, home inspections, interviews. A stable home environment for the duration of the program.
Full School Enrollment
Academic enrollment, transcript coordination, immunization records, and everything the district requires. Your student starts as a full member of the school.
Academic Monitoring
Regular grade checks, teacher communication, and progress reports. If your student needs extra support, we coordinate it before it becomes a problem.
Ongoing Support
Regular check-ins with your student and host family. Emergency support across time zones. We don't disappear after enrollment.
Request the current family quote for your selected district and term
Request your full program quote →Questions About F-1 Public School
Real answers. No PR-speak.
What is the F-1 Public School choice program?
Certain U.S. public school districts accept international students on F-1 visas through approved choice programs. Your student attends a real American public high school — courses and activities subject to school eligibility — with F-1 visa sponsorship. It's a middle ground between the J-1 exchange (lower cost, less school choice) and F-1 private school (higher cost, school-specific applications).
How is this different from J-1 exchange?
J-1 is a cultural exchange program — one year max, volunteer host family, limited school choice, regulated by the State Department. F-1 public high school study is limited to 12 months in total across all public high schools. Students must pay the full unsubsidized cost of education. District selection and homestay depend on program eligibility and availability. Request a current J-1 quote. F-1 Public requires a school-specific family quote. Different visa, different rules, different flexibility.
How is this different from F-1 private school?
F-1 Private places students in private schools. F-1 Public places students in public schools through choice programs. Published Choice program prices cover tuition, housing, meals and insurance for the stated academic year; confirm a school-specific written quote and extra fees. The cost difference varies by district and region. Public schools often have larger student bodies, more diverse communities, and a wider range of extracurriculars. Private schools offer smaller class sizes and more specialized programs. We help you decide which fits.
Can my child stay for multiple years?
No. F-1 attendance at U.S. public high schools is limited to an aggregate of 12 months, even if the student changes districts. A longer high-school plan requires an eligible private school or another lawful status. Your school DSO must confirm the I-20 and study plan.
What about housing?
Students live with vetted host families near the school. Every family goes through background checks, home inspections, and interviews. This isn't a volunteer arrangement like J-1 — host families are compensated, which means more consistent availability and accountability.
Does my child earn a real diploma?
A diploma is not automatic. The district must confirm your student's graduation eligibility, accepted transfer credits, and required courses before you plan around earning a diploma. Course access, academic credit and sports participation also depend on school rules. F-1 attendance at U.S. public high schools is limited to an aggregate of 12 months.
A Real American Education. Let's Make It Happen.
Take the quiz to see matched schools with advisor review — or book a free call and we'll walk through it together.
Or Just Drop Us a Message
Our team will review your inquiry and help you plan the next steps.
Before you share your details
Please confirm you are 13 or older. Students under 13 should ask a parent or guardian to complete this form using their own contact details. Please do not include diagnoses or medical records.