Maharishi School is a genuinely global community — students and families from more than 30 countries. For a student coming from abroad, that means arriving somewhere you’re not the only one far from home. Our boarding program (grades 9–12) is built so that students are far from home, but never on their own.
You won't be alone.
Every year, students arrive here from more than 30 countries — the dot in the center is Fairfield, Iowa, and every line is a family who made the same leap yours is considering. Whatever country you're coming from, you won't be the first, and our Director of Admissions will introduce you to a community that already knows what that's like.
What to Expect
Every international student’s path is a little different, so our Director of Admissions guides your family personally, from the first question through the first day. You won’t navigate it alone. Below is the shape of the process; the details we’ll walk through together.
The Process
- Visit, if you can. The best way to know whether Maharishi School is the right fit is to spend time here — in the classrooms, with the teachers, among students who will become your student’s peers. When an in-person visit isn’t possible from abroad, we’ll arrange a virtual tour and video conversations.
- Apply online. A short application, a $30 fee, and your student’s official transcript from their most recent school.
- Send documents and scores. Alongside the transcript: a personal recommendation and a short student essay, plus an admissions test — the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is preferred (our SSAT school code is 4770); the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL or TOEFL Jr.), ITEP, or SLEP are accepted for English-language assessment.
- Interview. A required conversation with an Admissions officer — in person or by video.
- Accept and enroll. On acceptance, sign the enrollment contract and place the deposit within three weeks.
- Student visa (I-20). Once we have the signed contract, deposit, a confidential financial statement, and a copy of your student’s passport, we begin the I-20 process and help your family prepare for the visa interview.
Support Along the Way
In several countries, we work with trusted education agencies that help families understand the school and manage the practical side of applying and relocating. If you’re working with an agency in your region, our Admissions team coordinates with them directly. If you’re not, that’s fine too — you can come straight to us, and we’ll guide you through every step.
English-Language Support
For students still building fluency, our English Language Learner (ELL) support helps them keep pace academically while they grow more confident in English. Explore ELL →
Come Talk to Us
Sending a student across the world is a big decision, and it should be met by a real person, not a form. Reach out, and our Director of Admissions will take it from there.