G-N71EJDYMH5

International Student Application Procedures

Please note the following conditions will apply to all applications submitted after June 6, 2026. These conditions will take effect as soon as any one of them applies:

1. Middle or High School Capacity
If the middle or high school reaches full capacity:

  • Any accepted students may be placed on a waiting list until space becomes available.
  • Incomplete application packages will be canceled.

2. Fall Semester Applicants – Visa Requirement

  • If the accepted applicant is applying for the Fall semester and their student visa is not fully approved by September 1, 2026, their application will be deferred to the Spring semester.

3. Spring Semester Applicants – Visa Issues

  • If the accepted applicant is applying for the Spring semester and their student visa is not fully approved by January 1, 2027, you may choose to apply for Fall 2027-2028 admission.
  • Please note: New tuition and financial aid terms may apply at our discretion.

We encourage all families to complete and submit applications as early as possible to avoid these limitations. Thank you for your understanding.

Step 1: To begin the Online Application process, Create an Account. Upon account creation, you will receive an email containing a verification link. Follow the instructions in the email and verify your account.

Step 2: Once your email address has been verified, log in to your account and Create A New Student Application for your child. You will then have the flexibility to log in and out of your account and access your open application.

Step 3: Complete the online application form and upload the following:

  • Student’s Photo:
    • Size: Passport photo size (2×2 inches or 35×45 millimeters)
    • Attire: White collared shirt with a dark blue or black tie
    • Background: Plain white
  • Proof of Residency
  • Transcript/grade report(s) from the past 12 months (in English)
  • IELTS/DET (Duolingo English Test) Official Score *
    • IELTS/DET (Duolingo English Test) is only required for International Students from grade 8 & above. Grade 6 & 7 will receive an in-person English Assessment during Orientation. 
    • High school students who test at an ENL 1 English proficiency level may be scheduled 1–2 grades below their current grade level. This policy ensures students have adequate time to acquire essential English skills, adjust to the academic environment, and meet graduation requirements successfully.
    • For grade 8 and above: By choosing not to submit an official IELTS/DET score, you understand and agree that a $250 fee for an in-person English Assessment will be automatically added to the total tuition balance.
  • Obtain the names and email addresses of your child’s Math and English teachers so they can complete and submit the recommendation letters.
  • A non-refundable application fee of $95

Visa Application

  • I-20 Application (included in the online application)
  • A scan of the applicant’s passport photo page
  • Provide a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for at least one year of study

Step 4: Attend an admissions interview, typically scheduled after the completed admissions package has been received by the Admissions Office (Check your inbox for the interview notification email)

Step 5: A decision notice is typically sent within 2 weeks of submitting the complete application package (Steps 1-5)

 

View our International Student Application Process

 

Applications for our 2026-2027 school year are now open. Please be sure to read our Application Policy.

Step 7: Read the acceptance email carefully and confirm acceptance of the admissions offer by

  1. Completing your child’s Tuition Agreement form

  2. Pay the non-refundable* deposit of $3,000 USD via this link.

*If your child’s student visa was denied, please send us proof of visa denial within 30 days of receiving the I-20 to admissions@northernacademy.org. Once we receive the proof of visa denial, we will refund you the deposit minus a $300 processing fee. Please note that there will be a $300 fee for each I-20 re-issuance request.

Step 8: Once we receive the completed form and non-refundable deposit, we will then start your child’s I-20 application.

  1. The PDSO/DSO (Principal designated school official/Designated school official) issues a draft I-20 around 5 business days after receiving the deposit.

  2. Double check the draft to confirm all information is correct.

    1.  If corrections are NOT needed, reply to the email stating all information is correct.

    2.  If corrections are needed, reply with the correct information.

  3. PDSO/DSO will email the official I-20 to the applicant’s Parent/Guardian’s email address on the application.

Please allow approximately one month to complete the visa process. Students may enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their I-20 form.

Important: Entry into the United States after the program start date listed on the I-20 is not guaranteed.

Step 9: After you receive your official electronic I-20 from the PDSO/DSO at Northern Academy, please pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

  • Visit www.fmjfee.com. (You can only pay for the SEVIS I-901 fee using this site, do not pay via any other websites.) Keep the receipt for your visa interview.

Step 10: Schedule a visa interview at your local US Embassy or Consulate

You will need to bring the following documents to your visa interview:

  1. A printed (paper) copy of the I-20 form signed by the PDSO/DSO

  2. SEVIS I-901 fee printed (paper) receipt

  3. A signed passport, valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to enter the US

  4. Visa application forms from the US consulate (e.g. DS-160) and required photos

  5. Printed (paper) transcripts and diplomas from previous schools

  6. Tuition deposit receipt from Northern Academy, and/or

  7. Evidence of proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses

  8. Acceptance letter from the Northern Academy Admissions Office

  9. Information sheet about Northern Academy

  10. Your intention to depart the US after completing your studies.

Step 11: Prepare for the visa interview

  1. Know the questions

  2. Practice your English

  3. Know the program and how it fits your career plans

  4. Employment should not be your main goal to go to the US

  5. Prepare all documents and receipts

  6. Arrive on time

Step 12:

  1. Once you pass your visa interview, continue with Step 13.

  2. If your child’s student visa was denied, please send us proof of visa denial within 30 days of receiving the denial letter to admissions@northernacademy.org. Once we receive the proof of visa denial, we will refund you the deposit minus a $300 processing fee.

Step 13: Notify us of your child’s visa approval by emailing proof to admissions@northernacademy.org. 

Step 14: Complete your child’s Enrollment Consent and Required Documents form by uploading your child’s following documents:

  • birth certificate

  • vaccination records

  • physical examination (completed within one year from your child’s starting date)

  • valid US health insurance

Step 15: Ensure that your child’s full tuition balance is paid off at least 45 days before the program start date listed on I-20.

For your convenience, please view and complete our Acceptance Checklist via this link.

Failure to complete Step 15 at least 45 days before the program start date will result in the cancellation of your child’s enrollment and student visa.

Step 16: You will receive your child’s Official Enrollment email once the health documents have been cleared by our nurse.

The Official Enrollment email contains vital information, including the link to purchase your child’s school uniform, your child’s enrollment date, boarding details, office directory, and more. 

Step 17: Arrange for travel into the US.

Step 18: When preparing for departure to the US, notify your PDSO/DSO (both Mr. Simon Jiang (sjiang@northernacademy.org) and Chloe Chan (cchan@northernacademy.org)) about when you will be arriving in the United States. Please bring the following documents with you:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months after you enter the US)

  • Visa stamp or sticker (does not apply to Canadian citizens)

  • Form I-20 (F-1)

  • SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

  • Supporting financial documentation

Step 19: Report to the PDSO/DSO for an International Student Orientation.

Donate
 Apply 

Our mission is to nurture students to become cultured individuals of exemplary moral character. To this end, we provide an education drawn from the classics and the arts, one steeped in divinely inspired traditional values of the East and West.

We are accredited by the Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Institutions of the Middle States Association.