International Students

Welcome to Lancaster Catholic High School! Lancaster Catholic has been fortunate to welcome and share culture with students from many countries across the globe. Over the last decade, we have experienced an ever-increasing desire of students to join our community, which has led us to further develop our International Program. International students who have been most successful in our school are interested in becoming full, active participants in our community—both academically and socially.

Active Agencies

American Home Life International

Cambridge Network

Ivy International Group

NACEL

New Oasis

Meet Lancaster Catholic's International Coordinators

John Comerford Dean of Students, International Student Coordinator
Rosemarie Grasa School Counselor

Learn More About Lancaster Catholic High School

Lancaster Catholic at a Glance

25 Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered
24 college credits can be earned at LCHS
13:1 student-teacher ratio, 550 students enrolled from grades 9-12
Within driving distance to NYC, DC and Philadelphia and access to a local train station

Lancaster Catholic High School's Campus is equipped with:

Media Center
2 Computer Labs complete with 3D printers
Broadcast Room
State-of-the-Art Athletic Complex
Fine & Performing Arts Auditorium

Lancaster Catholic Community

31 Clubs and Organizations
24 Athletic Teams
20+ Fine and Performing Art activities (Plays, Musicals, Choirs)
18,413+ hours of community service performed in 2017-18

Academics

25 Advanced Placement (AP) classes offered
24 college credits can be earned at LCHS through duel enrollment programs
100% College Acceptance Rate
77% of Students with a 3.0 GPA or Higher
13:1 Student to Teacher Ratio

Top 10% SAT Scores

1495 Overall Average
700 Math Average
580 Reading Average

ACT Scores (LCHS is above National Average)

25.1 Overall Average
25.7 English Average
23.8 Math Average
26.3 Reading Average
24.7 Science Average

College Prep

110 + colleges and universities visit LCHS to meet with students
100% of international students are accepted to college/university
Over $30 million of merit-based scholarships have been given to graduating seniors since 2016
Lancaster Catholic has had 43 National Merit students

Lancaster Catholic International Grads have attended:

Yale University
Bucknell University
Cornell University
New York University (NYU)
Purdue University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Boston College
Boston University
Duke University
George Washington University

About Lancaster County

Lancaster Catholic is located in a quiet neighborhood of Lancaster, PA
Lancaster is within 3 hours of four major USA cities
Lancaster Catholic is minutes away from the local train station

Population

519,445

Major Towns

Lancaster City
Lititz
Manheim
Ephrata

Airports

40 Minutes from Harrisburg International
1.5 Hours from Baltimore/Washington International
1.5 Hours from Philadelphia International

Rail Stations

Amtrak Station in Lancaster City

Major Attractions

Amish Country
Outlet Shopping
HersheyPark
Strasburg Railroad

Fun Facts

Lancaster, America’s oldest inland city, was the nation’s capital when the Continental Congress met downtown for one day in 1777.
Dating to 1731, the Lancaster Central Market is the nation’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market.
Some escaping slaves followed the Underground Railroad through parts of Lancaster County, including Columbia, Peach Bottom and the Octoraro Creek.
Heading toward Harrisburg in June 1863, Confederate forces were slowed when the Pennsylvania Militia burned the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge.
The Conestoga wagons that carried pioneers westward were named after heavy, broad-wheeled wagons first manufactured in Conestoga.
Lancaster County’s 29 covered bridges are popular sites for bicyclists and driving tours.
Lancaster County Conservancy’s Boyer Nature Preserve was once home to one of the largest Native American settlements east of the Mississippi.
Lancaster County’s Amish residents, with roots dating to the early 18th century, have doubled in number since 1990.
Pretzels are still made at the Sturgis Pretzel House, Lititz, where America’s first pretzel bakery was established in 1861.

International Student Integration Assistance

Lancaster Catholic recognizes that there are numerous adjustments that must be made for a student who is entering the academic and social situations that are often quite different than those in their native countries. In order to better facilitate this integration, we require that all new International students participate in the International Bridge class and Bridge English.

International Bridge class: This class focuses on acclimation to the US and to LCHS utilizing grammar, pronunciation, and research skills. Students will also be introduced to Catholic Christian beliefs.
English class: This class focuses on reading, writing, and understanding of literature.

Application Process

International students interested in applying to Lancaster Catholic High School should submit all documentation through their agency. The following information is required:

Lancaster Catholic High School Application for Admission
Passport
Transcripts from other schools attended, from home country of origin and/or study abroad
Agency-specific documentation
English language proficiency tests:
- Students who are not from English-speaking countries are expected to submit scores from an English proficiency test (TOEFL, TOEFL Jr, SLATE or IELTS) with their application. The test needs to be taken within six months of applying for admission.
TOEFL (recommended for 11th and 12th grade applicants)
- 9th-11th grades: 65
- 12th grade: 75+
TOEFL Jr (recommended for 9th and 10th grade applicants)
- 9th grade: 700
- 10th grade: 750
SLATE
- 9th grade: 3.5+
- 10th grade: 4.0+
- 11th grade: 4.5+
- 12th grade: 5.0+
IELTS
- 5.5+

After receiving all the required information, LCHS will evaluate the applicant. A Skype interview will be the final step for students who are being considered for admission (as needed).

Acceptance to LCHS

If your application is approved, we will issue an I-20 form and send an acceptance package to your agency.

Submit the following before or when you arrive at LCHS:

Health form (completed by physician)
PIAA form (only for students who want to participate in sports)
International student contract (signed by natural parents and student)
Student device consent form (signed by natural parents and students)
Catholic school parents memorandum of understanding (signed by natural parents and students)

Tuition for our International students for the 2026-2027 school year is $16,663, which covers the full cost of education. This payment is arranged through the agency, not the school directly. There is also a registration fee of $200 for international students, a $200 technology fee, and a $325 processing fee for first-year international students.

International Student Medical Insurance