Whether you’re ready to apply or just exploring international program options in the Dover, New Hampshire or New England area, we’re here to help! At PCA, our admissions process is simple and thoughtful, with a goal of helping families enroll with the confidence they have made the right choice for their children.
The criteria for international admission to Portsmouth Christian Academy include scholastic performance and accomplishments, English language proficiency, emotional maturity, a desire to learn, and openness to Christian values. Our program is highly selective, admission standards are rigorous, and only fully qualified students are accepted into the program.
We hope to talk with you soon to share more about the opportunities your child will have on our campus. Choosing a school is no small decision, and we’re here to answer your questions as you move through the steps below.
Ready to become an Eagle?
5 steps to joining the PCA family:
1
Partner with an Agency.
International students are required to have agency representation in order to apply, become enrolled, and remain enrolled at Portsmouth Christian Academy. Agents act as a legal guardian and liaison between your family, your child’s host parents, and school. They are responsible for managing homestay and tuition payments, fulfilling enrollment and re-enrollment requirements, as well as meeting with the school when necessary for support, both academically and behaviorally. We encourage our families to research all agency options available to them and select the one they believe is the best fit. If agency recommendations are needed, please reach out to our team for a list of agencies in our area.
Please note: Exceptions may be made if the international student will be residing with a legal guardian that is a lawful, permanent resident or a United States citizen.
2
Complete the Application.
You can apply for admission to PCA online. Once you submit your application with the $250 international application fee, our team will review your file and will be in touch to answer any questions you may have about gathering supplemental documents.
3
Submit Supplemental Documents.
Our application checklists outline all required documentation needed for the application process. Required documents for International Admissions include a copy of your child’s birth certificate and passport, former teacher evaluations, current/previous report card, a writing sample and a copy of recent English language proficiency scores.
4
Schedule Your Student Interview.
Once all supplemental documentation is received, you will work with our International Admissions Counselor to schedule your student interview – conducted via Microsoft Teams.
5
Receive Your Admissions Decision & Complete Enrollment.
Admissions decisions are sent via email. If you’ve decided that PCA is the right fit for your family, your agent will use the link in the email to complete your child’s enrollment and make it official. Once enrollment is complete, PCA will create your child’s I-20 and send back to your agency for next steps. We look forward to welcoming you to the PCA family!
MEET THE international ADMISSIONS TEAM
We are excited to get to know you and your child!
While you’re considering your next steps, here’s a little more about our team.
Stephen Leavitt
Director of Enrollment and Marketing
stephen.leavitt@pcaschool.org
Brianna Young
International and Upper School
Enrollment Advisor
byoung@pcaschool.org
International Admissions FAQ
PCA requires all international students to provide proficiency scores from the TOEFL IBT, TOEFL Jr. or iTEP. Minimum scores for each proficiency test are listed below:
| Applying For | TOELF IBT | TOELF Jr. | iTEP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 7 | 50 | 720 | 3.5 |
| Grade 8 | 55 | 720 | 3.5 |
| Grade 9 | 60 | NA | 3.8 |
| Grade 10 | 70 | NA | 3.8 |
| Grade 11 | 80 | NA | 3.8 |
We recommend international students complete the application process by January 31st. The admissions committee will notify the applicant or agent of their decision by email on or before February 20th.
Applications received after January 31st will be considered on a rolling basis as space permits.
Tuition rates for the 2024-2025 school year is listed below:
| Grade | 2024 – 2025 Tuition |
|---|---|
| 6th – 8th | $24,714 |
| 9th – 12th | $32,824 |
Listed tuition price includes insurance, annual registration and on-campus lunch during days when school is in session.