Beyond the Classroom: Study Away Opportunities for High School Students

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For high school students looking to broaden their horizons before college, studying away from their home school can offer an unparalleled opportunity for personal growth, language immersion, and global citizenship. Whether your student dreams of perfecting their French in Paris, exploring marine biology in the Bahamas, or attending high school in Spain, numerous programs make this type of experiential education accessible during the summer months, over a semester, or throughout a full academic year. While this experience might not be for everyone, we try to educate our students and families on the options available.

Why Study Abroad in High School?

The benefits of international study during high school extend far beyond the travel experience itself. Students can develop independence, cultural awareness, and language proficiency while building confidence that serves them throughout life. These experiences make college applications stand out and provide valuable preparation for the academic rigor of higher education.

Only about 2% of U.S. high school students study abroad each year, making it a distinctive achievement that demonstrates initiative and global awareness. Students return home with enhanced communication skills, cross-cultural understanding, and often a clearer sense of their future goals.

School Year Abroad: Full Immersion Programs

“For students ready for deep cultural immersion, School Year Abroad is one of the most sought after opportunities for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors,” says Katie Garrett, Founder of Garrett Educational Consulting. SYA offers yearlong and semester programs in France, Italy, and Spain, where students live with carefully selected host families and attend local schools alongside native students. While the France and Spain programs require completion of one or two years of the native language, the program in Italy does not require any prior knowledge of Italian. Katie says, “My students who opt to do SYA come back fluent in the language. It is amazing how they pick it up through an immersive environment.”

The yearlong program runs from early September through late May, but they also offer semester long programs in the Fall and Spring.

Living with a host family provides authentic cultural experiences that tourists never access. Students walk, bike, or use public transportation to school, experiencing daily life as locals do. SYA maintains close contact with parents and home school counselors throughout the year.

Semester Schools: Specialized Domestic and International Programs

For students seeking intensive focus on specific interests while possibly staying closer to home, semester schools offer a compelling alternative. The Semester Schools Network represents eight single-semester boarding schools where high-achieving students can pursue specialized curricula in unique environments.

These accredited programs allow students to dive deep into subjects like environmental science, marine biology, global issues, or ethics and leadership. Students leave their home schools for one semester, earning academic credit while gaining out-of-classroom experiences that complement their traditional education.

Alzar School – Operating from campuses in both Idaho and Patagonia, Chile, Alzar combines academics with cultural exchange and outdoor adventure for 10th and 11th graders.

The Chewonki Semester School (Maine) – Located on a 400-acre saltwater peninsula, students work on an organic farm and explore natural science through hands-on learning in a sustainable community.

The Mountain School (Vermont) – An offshoot of Milton Academy, this program combines demanding academics with life on a working organic farm, teaching students about food systems and environmental stewardship.

High Mountain Institute (Colorado) – Students study in the Rocky Mountains and canyons of southeastern Utah, combining rigorous academics with three 10-day wilderness expeditions that develop leadership skills.

The Island School (Bahamas) – Located on Cape Eleuthera, this program integrates traditional coursework with marine science, SCUBA diving, and ocean exploration. Students complete physical challenges like a half marathon or four-mile swim while conducting real scientific research.

School for Ethics and Global Leadership – Operating in Washington D.C., Johannesburg, and London, SEGL offers motivated juniors a curriculum emphasizing ethical thinking, leadership development, and international affairs.

The Traveling School – A unique program designed specifically for girls ages 15-18, The Traveling School offers 15-week semesters traveling through southern Africa (fall) or South America (spring).

The Outdoor Academy (North Carolina) – Located in Pisgah Forest between Brevard and Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this fully-accredited semester school serves 10th and 11th graders on a beautiful 182-acre campus.

In addition to the Semester School Network, there are individual semester programs like Swiss Semester, a coeducational fall semester program specifically for high school sophomores, enrolling nearly 50 students from independent and public schools primarily in the United States. It combines a high caliber of academics with a vigorous outdoor experience that includes downhill skiing and ice climbing. “My own daughter did Swiss Semester in the Fall of her sophomore year of high school and it instilled a true love of learning in her that remains intact more than ten years after her time in Zermatt. The opportunity for experiential learning in one of the most beautiful places in the world within a technology free environment was incredible,” says Katie.

Semester schools typically enroll 15-60 students with average class sizes of 5-15, creating tight-knit communities. Programs run 14-18 weeks and, like traditional boarding schools, charge tuition while offering financial aid. 

Summer Study Away Programs

For students not ready to commit to a full semester away, summer programs offer intensive international and domestic experiences, most lasting two to six weeks. These programs provide cultural immersion and can provide academic credit while fitting within school vacation schedules.

School Year Abroad and two of the Semester Schools-The Island School and High Mountain Institute-offer their programs over the summer in an abbreviated format. In addition, many boarding schools offer summer programs on their campuses, allowing students to do a deep dive in specific subject areas while also experiencing boarding school life.

If you are looking for an international summer academic experience, Oxbridge Academic Programs has programs for middle and high school students, and includes programs in Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Barcelona, and New York City. Subject areas include arts, business and economics, computing and technology, cultural studies, language immersion, science, medicine, literature, law, creative writing, and more.The program serves nearly 2,000 students each summer from more than 80 countries. “We have students opt to do the Oxbridge programs every summer and our students always come back and tell us how much they learned, not just in the classroom, but beyond. It is a 24/7 learning environment with students from all over the world,” Katie said.

Practical Considerations

Academic Credit: Most programs work with students’ home schools to ensure credits transfer properly. Students should work with their school counselors early in the planning process to understand how participation will fit into their academic plan.

Costs: Summer programs typically range from $2,000-$10,000, while semester and year-long programs cost more but often come with more comprehensive financial aid options.

Applications: Most programs have rolling admissions, but applying early (typically 6-16 months before departure) improves chances of acceptance and provides more time to secure financial aid. Applications usually require essays, transcripts, teacher recommendations, and sometimes interviews.

Timeline: For summer 2026 programs, students should begin researching options now and plan to apply in late 2025 or early 2026. For semester or year programs beginning fall 2026, applications are typically due between December 2025 and February 2026.

Getting Started

Students interested in a study away program should:

1. Discuss goals and preferences with parents and school counselors

2. Research programs that align with their interests and academic needs

3. Attend information sessions (many programs offer virtual options)

4. Consider timeline and commitment level (summer vs. semester vs. year)

5. Explore financial aid and scholarship opportunities early

6. Prepare application materials well before deadlines

Final Thoughts

Whether spending a summer perfecting Spanish in Spain, a semester studying environmental science in Maine, or a full year immersed in Italian culture, high school study away experiences shape students’ futures in profound ways. These programs cultivate independence, global awareness, and self-confidence while providing academic rigor that prepares students for college and beyond.

For students ready to step outside their comfort zones, the world is waiting, and we are happy to help you discover all the options.