Visit Wheaton Academy
We offer several short-term opportunities throughout the year for your student to visit Wheaton Academy and experience what it would be like to study abroad.
Winter Homestay
The Winter Homestay Experience is a one-week immersive opportunity for international students to explore life at Wheaton Academy. Students live with a caring host family, attend classes, experience American high school life, and explore Chicago. From workshops and shadow days to cultural excursions and special events, this program offers a perfect balance of learning and adventure. It’s more than a visit—it’s a glimpse into what it means to belong here.
Summer English Immersion
Wheaton Academy’s Summer English Immersion program offers international students a 3-week academic and cultural experience during our Summer Academy. Students will take a for-credit summer class, live with a Wheaton Academy host family, and participate in unforgettable local excursions and community events. This is a unique opportunity to build academic skills, strengthen English fluency, and experience student life in a vibrant and supportive environment.
Access a Campus Tour
Fill out the form below to watch a video tour of Wheaton Academy’s main Academic Building that recently underwent a $30 million dollar renovation and expansion including state-of-the art Engineering and Film spaces.
Winter Homestay
February 7-14 2026
The Winter Homestay Experience is designed to give international students a personal, hands-on understanding of high school life in the U.S. through the lens of the Wheaton Academy community. During this 7-day program, students stay with one of our carefully selected host families and fully engage with our school, students, and surrounding area.
Highlights Include:
Shadow Days: Attend real classes alongside a student matched to your interests—whether that’s engineering, media arts, entrepreneurship, or AP coursework.
Workshops: Participate in interactive sessions on topics like academic English, student life, U.S. education pathways, leadership, and more.
Explore Chicago: Tour iconic destinations such as Millennium Park, the Art Institute, and a Chicago Bulls NBA game.
University Visits: Get a glimpse of college life by touring top institutions like the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.
Live With a Host Family: Experience daily life with a warm and welcoming Wheaton Academy family. Share meals, explore the local area, and build cross-cultural friendships.
Kairos Gathering & Talent Show: Take part in our weekly international student community gathering
This program is ideal for students considering studying in the U.S. long-term or looking to improve their English in a real-world context.
Interested in joining us this winter? Click the button below to contact our team with questions or to receive more information.
Summer English Immersion
June 8-26 2026
The Summer English Immersion Experience is a three-week program designed for international students seeking a meaningful academic and cultural summer in the United States. Hosted on the Wheaton Academy campus, this program blends classroom learning with real-world exploration and community connection.
What to Expect:
Earn Academic Credit: Students will take a specially designed summer course in English or another subject, building skills and earning U.S. high school credit.
Live With a Host Family: Enjoy full immersion in American culture and family life through a vetted and welcoming Wheaton Academy host family.
Hands-On Learning: Participate in engaging coursework that promotes English language development and confidence in a U.S. school setting.
Local Excursions: Explore the Chicagoland area with organized group activities, including cultural sites, university visits, nature outings, and more.
Community and Connection: Meet and learn alongside both international and local students, forging friendships and building communication skills through shared experiences.
This new program is perfect for students who want to prepare for study abroad, improve their English in a supportive environment, or simply experience life at an award-winning American high school.
Want to learn more? Click the button below to get in touch with our team. We’ll be happy to answer questions and guide you through the next steps.
our Homestay program
Learn about Wheaton Academy’s unique Homestay boarding program and how it encourages a deeper and more immersive experience for students.
Our Academics
Wheaton Academy’s outstanding academic programs are designed to support your student in their pursuit of excellence in all areas of life.
Questions?
Start your application today
A student is considered an international student if an I-20 is required for residency AND the student will require housing with an approved Wheaton Academy family during the school year.
There are several steps to the admission process, and families are required to complete all of the steps before they can be considered for admission.