Admissions
International Students

ISP Application Process

Apply to the

List of 1 items.

  • International Student Program

    The International Student Program at Chattanooga Christian School practices rolling admissions, meaning an international student may apply at any time. CCS begins receiving International Student applications for the next year’s fall semester as early as a year in advance. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible.

    You may click on the links in the list below to skip to a particular step. There is also more information linked after most steps. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our International Student Program Office at isp@ccsk12.com.

Steps to Apply for Admission

List of 7 items.

  • Step 1: Complete the Online Application

    The first step in applying to the CCS International Student Program is to complete the free International Student Online Application. Click the link below to begin.
  • Step 2: Submit the Required Documentation

    While completing the online application, please submit the following documents:

    1. A scan of a recent photo of the applicant.

    2. A scanned copy of applicant’s passport.

    3. A scan of an official copy of the applicant’s academic records/transcripts from the past two years, including English translation and school seal.

    4. A scan of an official copy of bank statement with sufficient funds for tuition and fees.

    5. A scan of international immunization record in English.

    6. Documentation of one of the following English Proficiency Exams:​

    IELTSsign up here
    TOEFL examsign up here
    TOEFL Junior examsign up here
    TOEFL iBT
    TOEFL-PB

    Please submit supplemental documents directly to Chattanooga Christian School using one of the following options:
    By email: isp@ccsk12.com
    By fax: 423.756.4044, Attn. ISP Office of Admissions
    By mail:
    Chattanooga Christian School
    Attn: International Student Program
    3354 Charger Drive
    Chattanooga, TN 37409
  • Step 3: Interview and Acceptance Process

    Applicant Interview
    Once the online application and all supplemental documents have been received, the applicant will be contacted by the International Student Program Admissions Committee to schedule an admissions interview. The pre-scheduled interviews are conducted over Skype and usually last 30–60 minutes. Arrangements are made to accommodate various time zone differences when interviewing via Skype.

    The primary goals of the interviews are to evaluate an applicant’s English skills and to better understand the applicant as an individual. Topics covered in the interview are designed to evaluate the student’s academic and social abilities and to gain a better understanding of the student’s goals and expectations. At the conclusion of the interview, students are afforded the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about CCS in order to assist them as they are making their enrollment decision.

    Interviews are recorded and may be shared with ELL and other support faculty, and with a potential host family, in order to help those personnel familiarize themselves with the student prior to arrival.

    Acceptance Decision and Offer of Admission
    After completing the admissions interview, an applicant will receive an admissions letter via email from the Admissions Committee within one week. This contact will communicate the Committee’s final decision.

    Enrollment Packet and Tuition Deposit
    Within one week of an admissions letter, the accepted student will receive an enrollment packet from the school via email. This enrollment packet will include a Financial Agreement, an Enrollment Contract, and various documents requiring signatures.

    Enrollment Packet Documents Returned and Deposit Submitted
    Families are given two weeks to complete the Enrollment Packet. The enrollment documents require electronic signatures from both the student and parent or legal guardian. Please return documents to isp@ccsk12.com and submit via wire transfer the non-refundable* tuition deposit of 3,000 USD to Chattanooga Christian School (see note below about wire transfers).

    Wire Transfers
    For account information for a wire transfer, please email us at isp@ccsk12.com. When wire transferring money, please consider the tax and fee implications. CCS is happy to work with families from different regions to find solutions for such issues, provided that the family identifies the problem and contacts the school early in the process. Payment schedules may be worked out, given appropriate notice.

    *Note: In the event that a student is not afforded an F-1 Student Visa for a reason outside of their own control, CCS will refund the student’s tuition deposit.
  • Step 4: Enrollment and Visa Application

    Once an applicant returns the signed documents required from the enrollment packet and the 2,000 USD non-refundable deposit, they are officially “enrolled” into the CCS International Student Program. Their seat in the program is guaranteed and reserved.

    At this time, CCS will issue the I-20 document needed to gain an F-1 Student Visa. The student is responsible for contacting their local U.S. Embassy to schedule a visa interview. The student will also need to pay the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee online.

    The International Student Program Office is happy to assist families with questions relating to their visa acquisition process. Please contact us with questions at isp@ccsk12.com or by phone at 1.423.265.6411, ext. 207.
  • Step 5: Tuition, Fees and Payments

    International students are required to submit the full balance of their annual tuition no later than July 1. Students who fail to do so will lose their admissions status and deposit.
  • Step 6: Travel Arrangements

    Students must provide Chattanooga Christian School with a copy of their incoming flight itinerary. Specific dates are set for each incoming class to arrive in order to properly greet each student and to provide transportation from the airport. These dates are updated each term and are clearly defined in the Acceptance Letter and Enrollment Packet. All flights should arrive into Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.

    Travel Information:
    Airport
    Chattanooga is home to the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, making international travel to and from Chattanooga convenient for international students and their families. Students arriving by plane must arrive at the Chattanooga airport on the prescribed date, which will change each year, between the hours of 8 AM and 10:00 PM. The student is responsible for his or her own travel expenses at the beginning and end of each school year.

    Lodging
    Chattanooga offers visiting international families a range of accommodations during their stay, including many in the scenic downtown area as well as options throughout the surrounding communities. Options in a variety of price ranges include: the Chattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga Marriott Downtown, Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga (Hamilton Place or Downtown), and Holiday Inn Express. The visiting family may wish to consult with the Host Family to select a hotel in close proximity to their home.

    Regulations
    Some Students may choose to travel domestically during their tenure at CCS--this travel with be at their own own expense. Students under the age of 18 may only travel under the direct supervision of their designated Host Family, a CCS staff member, an immediate adult family member over the age of 25, or a previously approved adult chaperone over the age of 25. Approval of adult chaperones will be at the sole discretion of the CCS International Student Program Office. All overnight visits must also be approved using a Student Travel Form.

    Travel will be permitted on a case-by-case basis and approval for such requests will be at the sole discretion of the CCS International Student Program Office. Incomplete permission forms will not be approved. Violation of this policy may result in the immediate removal of the student from the International Program and an immediate return to the student’s home country at the expense of the student’s natural family.
  • Step 7: Host Family Placement

    A vital feature to our International Student Program is the opportunity for students to live with an American family from the CCS community. Living with a CCS family will facilitate a much better learning environment and provide more focused social and emotional support for our international students. Host families will be carefully chosen after background checks, reference reviews, home visits, and a personal interview. Orientation, cultural awareness training, and ongoing support will be provided to host families. Click here for more information on our Homestay Program.

    Host Family "Homestay" Boarding
    CCS offers traditional host family “homestay” living arrangements for international students. The experience of living with an American family provides a healthy learning environment where students enjoy enhanced cultural integration, accelerated English learning, and personalized care. Individual family attention provides the student with social and emotional support, and students enjoy a rich cultural experience by integrating into an actual American family.

    CCS host families provide students with room and board, all meals, and transportation. Host families serve as a direct point of communication with the home country family and provide steady feedback regarding the student’s academic progress and well-being, and inform the home parents of any issues that may arise.

    Host families are only chosen after background checks, reference checks, and personal interviews are completed and reviewed. Most of our host families are teachers, support staff, and parents from CCS. Orientation and ongoing support are provided to students and host families throughout the year.

Visiting Campus

Preview Days provide parents with more information about our school and a chance to experience our school community. You can sign up for these and other events on our Visit Our Campus page.