Admissions Process
Instructions
1. Application
Approximately 80 students apply each year for SCLA's international program and about 45 students are accepted. St. Croix Academy uses rolling admissions.
Applications should be made early to guarantee a place in the enrollment. The standard application deadline is March 31. Applications submitted after March 31 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Required Application Materials
- Application
- Two teacher recommendations
- At least two years of school transcripts translated in English
- English proficiency test results
- Bank statement showing ability to pay tuition costs
- Copy of passport
2. Acceptance
Next Steps to Enrollment
The St. Croix admissions team reviews the application and, if accepted, will send an email with the acceptance letter. Upon receiving the email, the student/family will send the $4,000 enrollment fee to reserve a place at St. Croix.
Upon receiving the $4,000 enrollment fee, St. Croix will send the following:
- Acceptance letter (original hard copy)
- Form I-20 from St. Croix Academy
- Financial statement
- A “next steps for enrollment” sheet
3. Visa Application
To apply for a non-immigrant student visa at a US Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence following these simple steps (source: https://visaguide.world/us-visa/how-to-apply-for-us-visa/):
- Check if you need a visa.
- Choose the type of US visa you will apply for.
- Fill in Application Form DS-160.
- Pay your application fee.
- Schedule visa interview.
- Compile the document file.
- Attend the visa interview.
- Wait for processing.
The documents needed at the Embassy are:
- Passport
- Acceptance letter
- Form I-20 from St. Croix Academy
- Receipts for any payments made
- Proof of payment of $350 USD SEVIS I-901 fee
- Proof of the family financial support
- Proof of connections to home country after schooling is finished
When a visa is granted:
1. Inform St. Croix immediately.
2. Inform St. Croix of finalized flight and arrival arrangements as soon as they are made. All NEW international students are required to arrive at St. Croix in time for Orientation.
4. Arrival
It may be wise for students to come early for the English program and ensure success in regular English classes.
Option 1: English Camp and Bridge Camp
English Camp is a three-week camp for enrolled students and international groups and schools. The camp starts mid-July and is run by teachers at St. Croix. Students attend English classes in the morning, and experience city-wide activities in the afternoon.
Click here for more information about the English Camp and Group Visits
Following the English Camp is a one-week Bridge Camp.
Option 2: Bridge Camp Only
Bridge camp can be a continuation of English Camp, or students may choose to arrive for Bridge Camp only. Bridge Camp is a one-week program specifically for enrolled St. Croix students, and is structured the same as English Camp, with English classes in the morning, and activities in the afternoon.
Option 3: Regular Arrival
Students who do not wish to participate in summer English programs are required to arrive in time for orientation the week prior to the start of school.
Tips for a Successful Application
Strong Applicants
Strong applicants will demonstrate the following:
- Above-average academic ability.
- Proficiency in English.
- Honesty and cooperation; good character and citizenship; respect for others.
- Self-motivation, responsibility for their own success, and the ability to organize personal time.
Additionally, applicants have a stronger application if they enter St. Croix in grades 6–9 and are committed to earning a diploma from St. Croix Academy. The longer a student is in St. Croix's program, the greater the success rate of that individual student.
English Proficiency Requirements
Before a student is accepted into St. Croix's program, he/she must meet the English proficiency standard by one of the following methods:
- Submitting any standard English test (for example, SSAT, TOEFL, IELTS, ELTiS, Eiken, etc.)
or - Participating in a phone/personal interview with our admissions staff
or - Showing a strong academic history of English coursework.
Non-Discrimination Policy
St. Croix Lutheran Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in its administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Competitive Admissions
St. Croix’s international program is competitive, not all qualified applicants will be accepted. The St. Croix admissions committee seeks a balance in representation with students from a variety of countries to create a living environment that facilitates developing conversational English. St. Croix does not discriminate according to race, gender, or heritage, but reserves the right to accept and decline applicants in a manner that leads to the most conducive learning environment for all students.