International Students

• If possible, schedule a campus tour.
  We offer private tours, Monday through Friday. Please call 813-909-7919 or email us at admissions@academyatthelakes.org to schedule your tour.

• Complete an Application for Admission and submit a $100 Application fee.

  Our online application includes a section to electronically request a teacher recommendation and student records from your child’s current school.

• Request Information from Your Current School
  Academy requires:
  • Two years of transcripts, translated into English
  • Teacher recommendation form, translated into English
  • An explanation on school letterhead, in English, of what the score range is for an

    “A,” a “B,” a “C,” a “D,” and an “F,” or failing grade.

  • If your child plans to participate in our Upper Division Athletic Program you must provide complete transcripts beginning with their eighth grade year in both English and the applicant’s native language.
• Complete Assessments
  • Secondary School Admissions Test
    All international applicants applying to grades 7-11 should take the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) as early as possible, preferably in November, December, or January. The applicant’s family is responsible for individual registration. Please visit SSAT.org for more information. When registering, please select Academy at the Lakes (school code 1057) as a score recipient. Minimum scores of 60% in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and reading comprehension are required.
  • iTEP SLATE – English Assessment
    International students entering grades 7 through 10 for whom English is a second language must take the iTEP SLATE in addition to taking the SSAT. The iTEP SLATE is a versatile and user-friendly English assessment. It covers five key areas of proficiency in 90 minutes and provides scores within 24 hours. Please visit this website and select SLATE-PLUS TEST. The applicant’s family is responsible for individual registration.
  • Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Eleventh Grade Applicants
    All eleventh-grade non-native English-speaking international students must take the TOEFL in addition to the SSAT. Applicants must earn an internet-based score of 80 or higher on the TOEFL. The applicant’s family is responsible for individual registration. Please visit the TOEFL website for more information.
• Schedule an Interview

  All international applicants must schedule an interview. The interview can be in-person or via an approved web-based video. Please contact us to make arrangements at admissions@academyatthelakes.org.

• Provide Medical Requirements

  When applying for admission to Academy at the Lakes, prospective students must provide a copy of their immunization record.

Once the application is complete, each applicant’s file is reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The committee meets weekly to review completed files.

Families are notified of the Admissions Committee’s decision by email. Enrollment agreements are mailed with the acceptance packages. A reasonable amount of time is allowed for parents to complete the Online Enrollment Agreement, to complete the Continuous Enrollment Agreement, and submit full tuition and fees payment.

Once a student has been accepted to Academy at the Lakes, the following items must be received before we issue a Form I-20:

• Completed application for a Form I-20

• Tuition and fees paid in full

• Copy of your child’s passport

• Affidavit of financial responsibility 

  • Families must provide documentary evidence that sufficient funds are or will be available for

    expenses during the entire period of anticipated study.

  • Acceptable documents include: a series of bank statements, proof of income, or tax records

• Affidavit regarding Room and Board and supporting documents, if applicable

• Completed online enrollment packet (instructions will be emailed to you)

Please Note:

• Tuition and Fees must be paid in full before we will produce your student’s I-20. 

• The I-20 is the first step to obtaining an F1 Student Visa. 

• Families must make an appointment with their local United States consulate or embassy to obtain an F1 student visa. 

• International students must have an F1 student visa before they can begin classes at Academy at the Lakes. 

• If you are not able to obtain a student visa, please refer to our Visa Denial Refund Policy.