What Does US High School Tuition Include for International Students?

Last Updated: April 2026

US high school tuition for international students covers the academic program and, depending on the institution and program type, may extend to housing, meals, health insurance, and support services. According to NCES (2024), private high school costs in the United States range from under $20,000 to well above $55,000 per year for boarding programs, with the specific line items included varying significantly between schools and program structures.

Amerigo Education partners with 40 Niche A+/A rated schools across the US, Canada, and the UK, supporting 3,500+ students aged 14-18 from 55+ countries. The Class of 2025 achieved 97% admission to Top 100 US universities. Amerigo operates an all-inclusive program model designed to give international families a single, transparent payment structure, removing the uncertainty that comes with separate invoices for housing, meals, and academic support services.

Understanding exactly what your tuition payment covers, and what it does not, is one of the first steps in comparing high school study abroad programs. The breakdown below covers each component families should confirm before committing to any program.

Key Takeaways

• Amerigo's all-inclusive model covers tuition, accommodation, meals, airport pickup, health insurance, and academic and personal support in one annual payment.
• Certain costs are always separate from program tuition, including the SEVIS I-901 fee, international flights, and personal spending money.
• Tuition structures differ by campus: US Signature school programs, FEIA Canada, and Brentwood School in the UK each have distinct pricing and fee arrangements.
• Amerigo's Top 100 Guarantee provides a refund of up to $50,000 USD in senior year tuition for eligible students at US Signature Schools who do not gain admission to a Top 100 US university.
• Optional services, such as additional tutoring, may carry costs beyond the standard program fee.

What Does Amerigo Tuition Cover?

Amerigo's program fee is structured as an all-inclusive annual payment that bundles the components international families need most. This model eliminates the common frustration of receiving multiple invoices from different vendors throughout the school year.

The standard Amerigo program fee at US Signature schools includes:

• Academic tuition: Full enrollment at the partner school, including course registration and access to academic facilities.
• Accommodation: Amerigo offers four accommodation options: homestay, off-campus residences (the primary model, typically 20-30 minutes from partner schools with single-gender units and 24/7 staff), on-campus residences at select schools with 24/7 staff, and self-provided accommodation for students with family nearby.
• Meals: Students at homestays receive breakfast and dinner from their host families, while students at residences are served breakfast and dinner through Amerigo's catering and food provider partners. Lunch is typically taken at school. A small number of campuses have on-site chefs who occasionally prepare home-country dishes to help ease homesickness; this is not standard across the network.‍
• Airport pickup: Arranged collection at arrival for the start of each semester.‍
• Health insurance: Comprehensive student health coverage for the duration of enrollment.‍
• Academic and personal support: Access to the on-campus international department, academic counselors, and structured study hours.‍
• Monthly progress communication: Families receive monthly progress reports, school activity calendars and event announcements throughout the year.‍
• University counseling: Guidance on US university applications, including transcript support and college list development.

What Is NOT Included in Tuition?

Even within an all-inclusive model, certain costs remain the responsibility of the student and family. Knowing these in advance prevents budget surprises.

Always separate from program tuition:

• SEVIS I-901 fee: The US Student and Exchange Visitor Program requires all F-1 visa holders to pay this government fee before entry. According to SEVP, the current fee for F-1 students is $350. This is paid directly to the US government and is not part of any school or program fee.
• International flights: Round-trip airfare to and from the student's home country is the family's responsibility. Airport pickup from the local airport is included, but international travel costs are not.
• Personal expenses: Spending money for clothing, entertainment, personal care items, and optional outings is not included.
• Passport and visa application fees: Document costs and embassy appointment fees are separate from program fees. Amerigo works with ZF Visa, an optional third-party visa partner, for families who need additional F-1 application support.
• Optional tutoring: While academic support is included in the program, additional tutoring sessions may involve separate costs depending on the campus and subject.

How Does US Tuition Differ From UK?

Amerigo's program model in the US and the Brentwood School arrangement in the UK operate under different structures, and families applying to each should review costs separately.

At US Signature schools, Amerigo sets the all-inclusive program fee and manages accommodation, meals, and support directly. For the UK programs, students apply through Amerigo. The 2025 Brentwood pricing is $56,358 USD in tuition plus a $3,000 USD Amerigo Administration Fee, which covers application, visa and enrollment coordination, billing and payment administration, pre-arrival planning, and ongoing parent support. UK students also pay guardianship fees separately from tuition. These are required by UK regulations and arranged outside the Amerigo program fee.

Amerigo also partners with Berkhamsted School in Berkhamsted, UK. Fee structures differ by school; families applying to either UK partner should contact Amerigo directly to confirm current pricing and guardianship arrangements.

What Is the Top 100 Tuition Guarantee?

Amerigo's Top 100 Guarantee is available to eligible students at US Signature Schools who meet four conditions: two consecutive years of enrollment, a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above, a TOEFL score of 85 or above, and at least one AP, IB, or Honors course completed. Students who meet all four conditions and do not gain admission to a Top 100 US university receive a refund of up to $50,000 USD in senior year tuition. The Guarantee does not apply to Brentwood School UK or FEIA Canada students.

The refund applies specifically to senior year tuition, not cumulative fees across all enrolled years. Families should confirm full eligibility terms with Amerigo's enrollment team before signing.

This guarantee reflects Amerigo's Class of 2025 outcome: 97% of students gained admission to Top 100 US universities, with partner schools rated Niche A+/A across the network.

How Do Costs Differ Across Programs?

Beyond US Signature schools and Brentwood UK, Amerigo also supports students through FEIA Canada, which runs its own boarding facilities and operates under a distinct pricing structure from the US model. Families considering Canadian enrollment should request a separate cost breakdown directly from Amerigo.

According to NAIS (2024), boarding school tuition at US independent high schools varies significantly by location, facilities, and program offerings. Within the US Signature school network, total program fees vary by campus location, school, and grade level. Costs at schools in major metropolitan areas may differ from schools in suburban or rural locations. An admissions advisor can provide campus-specific pricing for any Amerigo partner school.

What Extra Fees Should Families Expect?

Beyond tuition and the items already listed, a small number of additional costs arise during the school year that families should budget for:

• School activity fees: Some partner schools charge per-activity or per-sport fees for extracurricular participation that are billed by the school separately.
• Standardized testing: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and AP exam fees are paid directly to the relevant testing body and are not included in program tuition. According to College Board (2025), AP exam fees are $98 per exam for standard registrations.
• Course materials: While core textbooks are typically provided, supplementary materials or lab fees may apply at some campuses.
• Seasonal trips: Amerigo residences remain open during Spring Break with organized activities, but optional travel programs or family-arranged holidays during breaks carry their own costs.

Requesting an itemized list of all expected costs from Amerigo before signing an enrollment agreement is the most effective way to budget accurately for the full year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Amerigo tuition include in the US?

At US Signature schools, the Amerigo program fee includes academic tuition, accommodation (homestay, off-campus residence, or on-campus at select schools), three daily meals, airport pickup, health insurance, US university counseling, and access to the on-campus international department. It also covers structured academic support, regular counselor meetings, and monthly progress reports, school activity calendars and event announcements throughout the year.

What is not included in Amerigo's program fee?

These costs are not covered by the Amerigo program fee: the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350, paid directly to the US government), international flights to and from the student's home country, personal spending money, passport and visa application fees, optional additional tutoring, and standardized testing fees such as SAT, ACT, or TOEFL. Some school-level activity fees may also be billed separately by the partner school.

Is accommodation always included in the Amerigo fee?

Yes. For US Signature school programs, accommodation is included in the all-inclusive Amerigo program fee. Amerigo offers four options: homestay, off-campus residences (the primary model), on-campus residences at select schools, and self-provided accommodation. At Brentwood School in the UK, boarding fees are set by Brentwood School directly. FEIA Canada runs its own boarding facilities under a separate fee structure.

What is the SEVIS fee and who pays it?

The SEVIS I-901 fee is a US government fee required from all F-1 visa holders. According to SEVP, it is currently $350 and is paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security before the student's visa interview. It is not part of any school or program fee and is paid by the student's family as part of the F-1 application process.

Does Amerigo's fee include health insurance?

Yes. Health insurance is included in the Amerigo program fee for students at US Signature schools, covering the full duration of enrollment. Families should review the specific policy terms shared at enrollment, as coverage scope, deductible levels, and the designated healthcare network may vary by campus location and state. Contact Amerigo's enrollment team with specific health-related questions before enrolling.

Are there extra costs for tutoring at Amerigo schools?

While academic support, counseling sessions, and structured study hours are included in the standard program fee, additional tutoring beyond the standard on-campus academic support may involve separate costs depending on the campus, subject, and level of support required. Families who anticipate needing intensive tutoring support should confirm the terms and any associated costs with Amerigo's admissions team before enrollment.

How is Brentwood School's tuition structured?

Students apply for the Brentwood program through Amerigo. As of 2025, Brentwood tuition and boarding is $56,358 USD per year, plus a $3,000 Amerigo Administration Fee. The Administration Fee covers application, visa and enrollment coordination, billing and payment administration, pre-arrival planning, and ongoing parent support. UK guardianship fees are paid separately and arranged outside the Amerigo program fee. Families should contact Amerigo directly to confirm the current fee schedule.

What is the Top 100 Guarantee refund?

The Top 100 Guarantee provides a refund of up to $50,000 USD in senior year tuition if a student who follows Amerigo's program guidelines does not gain admission to a Top 100 US university. It applies specifically to senior year tuition, not cumulative fees across all enrolled years. Eligibility is tied to completing the agreed academic plan and applying to the university list developed with the counseling team.

Can families pay Amerigo tuition in installments?

Payment schedule options, including installment arrangements, vary by campus and enrollment cycle. Families should confirm payment terms directly with Amerigo's enrollment team at the time of application, as policies differ between campuses and by academic year. Requesting a full written breakdown of the payment schedule and any associated deposit or early payment deadlines before signing an enrollment agreement is strongly recommended.

Does the Amerigo fee cover extracurricular activities?

Amerigo-organized community activities, including social events and community service programs such as food drives and toy drives, are part of the student experience and not separately billed. However, school-level extracurricular fees for varsity sports, clubs, or individual activities may be charged directly by the partner school. Families should ask the admissions team which specific school-level activity fees apply at their chosen campus.

Conclusion

US high school tuition for international students varies widely depending on the school, program model, and location. Amerigo Education's all-inclusive structure is designed to simplify that comparison by covering the core costs, including accommodation, meals, health insurance, and academic support, in a single annual fee. Knowing what is and is not included before enrollment allows families to plan accurately and avoid unexpected costs during the school year.

Contact Amerigo Education

To get a full cost breakdown for a specific campus, or to learn more about the Amerigo program model, apply now or contact us to speak with an admissions advisor. Amerigo supports students from 55+ countries through 40 Niche A+/A rated partner schools, with the Class of 2025 achieving 97% Top 100 US university admission.

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About the Author

This guide was written by the Amerigo Education content team, drawing on program data from staff operating the on-campus international department at 40 Niche A+/A rated US, Canadian, and UK partner schools. Learn more about Amerigo Education.

This article provides general information for educational purposes only and reflects program details as of April 2026. Program fees, included services, and school-specific arrangements are subject to change. Families should confirm all cost details directly with Amerigo Education and the relevant partner school before enrolling. Contact us for current program information.