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International Students

Knoxville Christian School has hosted over 19 nationalities from all over the world since 2006.

KCS teachers and staff truly understand the challenges that exchange students may face. Our program director, Bud Ford, has lived in diverse countries abroad and learned multiple languages while overcoming cultural differences. This understanding and compassion is transmitted through Knoxville Christian School’s exceptional program.

Our caring host families genuinely want to participate in a cultural exchange experience and undergo a thorough screening process including an in depth orientation program. Our host families are paid a monthly stipend to offset the cost of hosting.

  • KCS international program is comprised of caring, committed and experienced personnel who support students and host families during the exchange program
  • KCS facilitates the application process of students and provides them with a smooth transition of acceptance & timely delivery of the I-20 document
  • We carefully pre-screen our host families and perform a criminal background checks on all potential host families to ensure the safety of our students
  • We offer students flexible program options including year & semester programs, F-1 extensions for up to 5 years
  • Parents will have peace of mind knowing their child has a school coordinator who gives local support and guidance throughout the year
  • Students are enrolled as F-1 visa participants

Program fees include: school tuition, host family accommodation including meals, international student fees (school fee), school registration and application fees, airport arrival and departure transportation and local coordinator supervision.

Our host families fill up fast!

*International students are required to arrive on campus with a laptop computer, macbook, or chromebook that meets KCS technical requirements. Students may bring the device from home or purchase one after arrival in Knoxville.

Make a Life-Changing Difference

When you become a host family, you and your family will make a life-changing difference in the life of a teenager while enjoying one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of your life. Benefits you will receive when you welcome a KCS exchange student into your home:

  • Hosting is an excellent way to learn about new cultures and customs from around the world without leaving home.
  • Hosting creates a lifetime friendship with another person, and often with another family in a different part of the world.
  • If you have children of your own, their ability for learning a new language is greater and their view of the world is shaped strongest at a young age.
  • You will be an ambassador for Christ by giving that young person the chance to experience Christ’s love in your family; to understand our customs and values.
  • International students have full medical insurance and bring their own money for incidentals and extracurricular activities – host families are only responsible for providing students with a home, bed, meals, transportation to school and caring support.
  • To help with the expense of an extra family member, a monthly stipend will be allocated to each family.

Who can be a Host Family?

Just as there is no “typical” American family, there is no “typical” host family – families can have no children or many children, retirees, single parents and young couples are all able to give international students a good home.

Host families come from diverse backgrounds and represent different generations. They come from all over the United States. Many live in small towns, while others live in cities; still others live in rural areas or on farms. Host families are united by a desire to know and welcome a young person from a totally different world and introduce them to a new culture.

A host family’s responsibility is to provide the student with a bed of his or her own, a place to study, and meals, but moreover a host family commits to welcoming this new “son” or “daughter” into their family, hearts and home.

The Goals of our International Program is to…

  • Encourage the education of young people about foreign cultures and languages by arranging for qualified individuals to live and study in countries different from their own
  • Encourage Americans to learn more about foreign countries, cultures and languages
  • Create opportunities for cross-cultural friendships
    Increase understanding of the United States, its people, culture and history, among young people all over the world
  • Provide a solid educational experience for all participants in the program
  • Make participants better citizens of their countries through cross-cultural exchange of ideas
  • Change the world by sharing the love of Christ

”After hosting two boys from China and one boy from Taiwan, I can honestly say being a host parent is one of the most rewarding things our family has ever done! I love to watch how they grow from usually a quiet, inquisitive kid to knowing full well “the ropes” of American ways. Hosting boys gives the “brother” to Caleb that he doesn’t have otherwise and with all three boys so far rewarding companionships have been built among all the siblings. We love learning the culture, asking questions about their town and even sharing in authentic meals that they have prepared for us. However, while all that is great, what I really love most is introducing these kids to Jesus, some for the first time. It is how our family served as “missionaries”–one heart at a time! I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world and look forward to continuing to host an international student as long as that is what the Lord allows for our family!”

~ A KCS Family

“Hosting an international student may seem like a daunting task. It is true it is not always convenient but it is an adventure! Our family is able to learn a new culture and to share our own. My children are practicing hospitality and are learning to put others first. What a privilege it is to be entrusted to influence a young heart and mind.

Do not miss an opportunity to impact the world one student at a time!”

~ A KCS Family

For more information about the enrollment process, tuition and fees, school requirements, and the programs for international students, please contact Bud Ford or Mindy Dunham at (865) 966-7060.

Graduation Requirements for International Students

  • Score of 75 or higher on the TOEFL iBT
  • Score 550 or higher on the TOEFL Paper
  • Pass all KCS classes with at least a D average (70%)
    Graduation Requirements for Students Who Study at KCS for 3 or More Years

All above requirements

  • Score a 21 on the ACT or higher.

International Student Fees and Tuition

  • Non-refundable application and processing fee: $750 due at the time of the I-20 issue
  • High school tuition: US $16,000
  • Housing Fee (if needed): $4,000
  • Full tuition must be paid within a week of student arrival at the school
  • Total tuition and fees: $16,000 – $20,750/year

Included in Payment:

  • Application and Processing Fees
  • Tuition
  • School Manuals
  • Textbooks
  • Technology Fees
  • Annual Standardized Testing (Grades 6 – 10)
  • ESL Classes (if necessary)
  • Costs NOT Covered by KCS (and the estimated costs):
  • I-20 and Visa Fees: $300
  • Health Insurance: $700
  • Uniforms and Any Other Clothing: $200
  • School Supplies: $50
  • Extracurricular Activities: $100

Athletic Fees

  • Flag Football – $100
  • Cross Country – $100
  • MS Basketball – $350
  • HS Basketball – $450
  • Junior Cheer – $250
  • JV/Varsity Cheer – $400
  • MS Volleyball – $250
  • HS Volleyball – $300
  • Soccer – $350
  • Bowling – $200
  • Two Way Air Fare Tickets
  • Senior Graduation Fee: $100
  • AP Exam Fee: $100

International Students Admissions Process

Below you will find the international admissions process for international students at Knoxville Christian School. If you have any questions, please contact the International Program Director, Bud Ford at (865) 391-6775 or bford@kcsknights.org.

Admission decisions are based on the student’s academic record, application, and admissions evaluation at the school. All classes are taught in English and no special accommodations are made for international students except for one ESL class to support the students in writing and grammar. If the student needs extra help, she/he must take tutoring session at his/her own expense.

Senior Applicants (12th Grade)

Knoxville Christian School accepts new international students only for the 6th through 11th grades. However, two exceptions may be considered for senior students:

  1. If the student will be a senior and attended school in the U.S. for both semesters of 11th grade and earned credit with an excellent academic record, the school will consider your application.
  2. The student is highly proficient in English and has an excellent academic record. The student must take TOEFL English Proficiency Test and score a minimum of 70 on TOEFL iBT and 520 on TOEFL Paper. The test scores must be sent with the application.

International Students Application Process

The application/acceptance process typically begins in December and January for acceptance for the following school year. This process can take up to 8 weeks. Follow each of these steps completely:

Step 1: Apply to Knoxville Christian School
Complete International Student Application by creating an account on our online portal.

Email the following documents to international@kcsknights.org

  • Teacher Recommendation Form (from 3 different teachers)
  • Student Health History
  • Passport (photo page only)
  • All Academic Transcripts (translated into English)
  • Proof of Funds
  • Up to date Immunization Records
  • *Proof of Medical Insurance

There are many insurance companies that International Students can use for their time in America. Some of these that our students have used in the past include:

Step 2: Pay the Application and Annual Fee
Step 3: Setup a Skype Interview
Step 4: Await Acceptance Email