Study in Chesapeake, The United States

About Chesapeake

Chesapeake is a city in southeastern Virginia and part of Hampton Roads, the metropolitan area around the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay that also includes Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Hampton and Newport News.

For international students, Chesapeake is mainly a destination for school-age study: our directory lists one school here, a private day school that takes international pupils. Students looking for universities usually look at the wider Hampton Roads region.

Studying in Chesapeake

The school in our directory is Atlantic Shores Christian School (ASCS), an independent, non-denominational Christian day school serving pupils from preschool to grade 12. It was established in 1985, draws students from across Hampton Roads and serves families from nearly 100 churches. The school has two campuses and states that it is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Teaching is in English, and the Bible is part of all areas of the programme.

ASCS runs an international student programme. According to the school, its international pupils have come from countries including Japan, Guatemala, India, Spain, England, France, Germany, China, Korea and Lithuania. It offers nine dual enrollment courses, 22 advanced honors courses, college preparatory classes and PSAT testing. A college counsellor helps each international student apply to university, and a Designated School Official advises seniors on the SEVIS transfer to college. Sports fees are included in the international student package, with teams in football, soccer, volleyball, tennis, track, cross-country, basketball, baseball, cheerleading, softball and golf.

Faith is central to the school. The international programme page says that students of other faiths are welcome and are not evangelised, but that they learn from a Christian worldview. The general admission standards also ask secondary students to profess Christian faith, so families should check the requirements with the school before applying.

Admission and student visa

Admission at ASCS is handled online. Acceptance is based on past achievement, a pastoral recommendation and a family interview with the administration. The school states that it is authorised under federal law to enrol non-immigrant students, which allows it to issue the documents for a student visa. EducationUSA explains that F visas are for study at accredited institutions, while J exchange visas cover exchange programmes, including high school study. The school year usually runs from September to May.

Cost of living for students

ASCS gives its international tuition and fees in a separate checklist on its international student page, so they are not repeated here. Daily costs depend largely on the host family or housing arrangement. Public transport in the region is run by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), which has routes in Chesapeake. Since 1 July 2023, an adult single trip costs $2.00, a 1-day GoPass $4.50, a 7-day GoPass $22 and a 30-day GoPass $70. Young people aged 13 to 17 can ride free with HRT's Student Freedom Pass.

Getting around and daily life

Distances in Chesapeake are long, and many families get around by car. HRT buses connect the city with Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, where the region's light rail and ferry also run. ASCS secondary classes run from 8:15 am to 3:20 pm from Monday to Thursday, with shorter days on Friday.

The climate is humid with mild winters and hot summers. At Norfolk International Airport, the nearest weather station with official normals, NOAA's 1991-2020 normals give an average temperature of 42.2 °F (about 6 °C) in January and 81.1 °F (about 27 °C) in July, when average daily highs reach 89.4 °F (about 32 °C).

Frequently asked questions

Can international students attend school in Chesapeake?

Yes. Atlantic Shores Christian School has an international student programme and states that it is authorised under federal law to enrol non-immigrant students.

Do I need to be Christian to study at Atlantic Shores Christian School?

The international programme page says that students of other faiths are welcome but learn from a Christian worldview, while the general admission standards ask secondary students to profess Christian faith. Ask the school which rules apply to you.

How much does public transport cost in Chesapeake?

On Hampton Roads Transit, a single trip costs $2.00 and a 30-day GoPass $70. Young people aged 13 to 17 ride free with a Student Freedom Pass.

What is the weather like in Chesapeake?

Winters are mild, averaging 42.2 °F (about 6 °C) in January, and summers are hot, averaging 81.1 °F (about 27 °C) in July, according to NOAA normals for Norfolk International Airport.