INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS
ONE CAMPUS. A WORLD OF STUDENTS.
Southern Prep welcomes students from around the world into a close-knit, college-preparatory boarding community in the heart of Alabama. Your student will thrive at Southern Prep.
WELCOME TO SOUTHERN PREP
International students are a vital part of the Southern Prep family. From the day they arrive, they are fully engaged in academics, athletics, and campus life, supported around the clock by residential faculty who know them by name.
At Southern Prep, your student will prepare for top American universities, build lifelong friendships, and grow in character and conviction.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE SOUTHERN PREP
Filler intro: one sentence framing why international families choose a small, faith-rooted boarding school in Alabama.
College-Prep Academics
Rigorous coursework across Honors, College Prep, and General Studies pathways, with counseling toward top American universities.
24/7 Boarding Support
Residential faculty live on campus and provide structure, care, and supervision every day of the week.
English Language Support
Filler: describe ESL / English language support, tutoring, and how new students build confidence quickly.
Character & Leadership
Monthly character traits, leadership coursework, and service opportunities rooted in conviction.
Athletics & Activities
Filler: teams, clubs, and activities that help international students make friends from day one.
Travel & Transition Help
Filler: airport pickup, arrival orientation, I-20 guidance, and help settling in.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE SOUTHERN PREP
01 / Small Classes
College-Prep Academics
Rigorous coursework across Honors, College Prep, and General Studies pathways, with college counseling helps prepare them to apply to American universities. Small classes of 8–10 students mean teachers know your child by name.
02 / Safe & Supported
24/7 Boarding Support
Your child is never on their own. Residential faculty live on campus, a registered nurse is on staff, and every boarding student has their own room. We also provide transportation to the Atlanta airport for major school breaks.
03 / Confidence in English
English Language Support
Our ESL courses build upon your child’s already established English foundation. Students gain the confidence to speak up in class, make friends, and succeed in every subject, not just English.
04 / Compete & Belong
ATHLETICS
Students can choose from a variety of sports, including football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and track & field. Joining a team is one of the fastest ways to make friends, practice English, and feel at home in a new country.
LIFE AT SOUTHERN PREP
Home Away From Home
Living on campus means your student is never on their own. Our residential faculty know every boarder by name, keep evenings structured, and make sure students settle in quickly, whether they come from down the road or across an ocean.
- Supervised dorms with residential faculty
- Study hall with teacher support
- Nutritious meals, chapel, and campus traditions
Confidence in Every Class
Strong English opens every door, in the classroom and beyond. International students get targeted language support — to build upon their already established foundation — alongside their regular coursework, so they keep up academically while building fluency every day.
- Small classes with personal attention
- Tutoring for reading, writing, and speaking
- Daily practice living with American classmates
Your Path to University
Planning starts early and stays personal. Our counselor helps each student find colleges that fit and build a strong application, and they walk families through each step of the U.S. admissions process.
- One-on-one college planning
- ACT preparation
- Guidance on applications, essays, and visas
Explore More
Weekends are for living, not just catching up. From Auburn game days to shopping trips, students can see more with friends and
faculty chaperones.
- Chaperoned off-campus outings
- Campus events, games, and activities
- Holiday travel and airport transportation help
Filler quote: Southern Prep gave me a family on the other side of the world.
Student Name · Grade 12 · Country
YOUR PATH TO ENROLLMENT
A simple, five-step process with a dedicated contact at every stage.
01
Inquire
Request information and connect with our international admissions team.
02
Interview
Meet with admissions by video call, students and parents together.
03
Apply
Submit the online application, supporting documents, and an English proficiency score.
04
Acceptance & i-20
Receive your decision, sign the intent to enroll, and submit the visa deposit. Receive the Forms I-901 & I-20.
05
Enrollment & Arrival
Schedule the visa interview, complete enrollment, and plan arrival.
For Parents
THE DETAILS
Common questions families ask about before enrolling. Can’t find your answer? Our international team is one email away.
Southern Prep needs copies of your academic transcripts, passport, and proof of English proficiency (if English is not your first language). We accept scores from Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS. These can be uploaded during the application process.
Southern Prep issues the I-901 and I-20, however, it is up to the family to schedule the meeting with the Embassy.
You should begin the VISA Process as soon as your student is accepted to Southern Prep. VISA processing times and appointments can vary.
All students MUST obtain international health insurance while they are at Southern Prep. Families have the option to independently obtain insurance for their student and provide proof or utilize Southern Prep’s provided health insurance.
Southern Prep provides transportation directly to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) airport during major school breaks, such Thanksgiving and Christmas. For travel at other times, the school can provide transportation to the Groome Transportation office in Auburn, Alabama, where students can take the Groome shuttle to the airport.
Parents or guardians are responsible for booking their student’s flights and Groome Transportation reservations. Families must notify the Office of Engagement in advance to coordinate transportation to the Groome office.
Please see our calendar for all school-related events, breaks, and holidays.
All international students are required to submit an English proficiency test score if English is not their first language. We accept scores from Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS. These can be uploaded during the application process.
International Viewbook
EVERYTHING YOUR FAMILY NEEDS TO KNOW
Filler: download our international viewbook for academics, boarding life, costs, and the path to enrollment.
Also available in: Español · 中文 · 한국어 · Tiếng Việt · Deutsch
READY TO JOIN OUR GLOBAL FAMILY?
Our international admissions team will walk your family through every step — from the first conversation to arrival day.
HELPFUL LINKS
Request Information
Thank you for your interest in Southern Preparatory Academy. Located in Camp Hill, AL, Southern Prep educates students in grades 7-12.
Please complete the following form in order to receive our Admissions Packet via email. If you have a specific question or would like to arrange a campus tour, please call the Admissions Office at 256-790-9202 or 256-675-6260.