International Students

International Students

International Program Update for 2026–27
Pinewood remains committed to welcoming global learners to our community. For the 2026–27 school year, we will still offer F-1 visas for qualified students; however, families will need to arrange their own local accommodations through relatives or guardians. These students may still apply for an F-1 visa through Pinewood, and we look forward to supporting them throughout the admissions process.

What This Means for Prospective International Families

• We will continue to issue F-1 visas for qualified students whose families are able to provide their own local accommodations.
• Students who relocate to the area with parents or guardians are still fully eligible to apply and enroll.
• The homestay option will not be available for the 2026–27 school year.
   

Why the Change?

Like many independent schools across the country, Pinewood has experienced several challenges that impact the sustainability of a homestay model, including:

• A declining pool of available homestay families:
  Fewer families are able to commit to providing a homestay experience, a trend echoed by peer schools locally and nationally.
• The need for dedicated program staffing:
  Effective homestay oversight and student support require full-time coordination, which is not feasible at this time.
• Shifting international student expectations:
  Many families now seek schools with larger residential programs or boarding options, which impacts applications to smaller homestay-based programs.
• Academic support constraints:
  Pinewood does not currently offer ESL services, limiting the types of international applicants we can appropriately support.
• Unpredictable regulatory processes:
  Visa approvals, government policies, and global conditions can fluctuate, making planning and placement timelines difficult to manage.

These factors mirror what many independent schools are experiencing, and we want to ensure that any future international offerings remain strong, mission-aligned, and beneficial to students.

Looking Ahead
Pinewood deeply values the global perspectives international students bring to our campus. This pause will give us the space to reassess the program and explore opportunities that best serve our students, families, and community. Maintaining our SEVIS certification ensures that international students moving to the area can continue to join the Pinewood family.
If you have questions about F-1 visas or international admissions, our team is here to help.