We guide your application
We guide your family through every step of the application, help you present your student’s strengths, and advocate for your student throughout the admission review.
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Now welcoming inquiries for Fall 2027 entry. Priority deadline: February 1st, 2027.
+1 619-450-2224
International partner of La Jolla Country Day School
For international families interested in LJCDS
Meet IEM, your family’s guide to La Jolla Country Day School.
IEM Student Exchange is LJCDS’s international student partner, based in San Diego. Students who need an F-1 visa apply through IEM. We guide your family through the application process, help arrange a homestay, provide guardianship, and support your student throughout their time at LJCDS.
- One dedicated team, from your first question to your student’s arrival
- Guidance with F-1 visa documents
- Your first conversation with an advisor is free, with no commitment
Interested in studying at La Jolla Country Day School?
Tell us a little about your student. An IEM advisor will contact you within 1 business day to answer your questions and explain the next steps.
We use your information only to respond to your inquiry. Privacy Policy
IEM Student Exchange in numbers
- 10+ yearsAs LJCDS’s international student partner
- 50+Students supported in San Diego
- 12University acceptances for IEM students at LJCDS, Class of 2021–2026
- 24/7Emergency support for students
Recent IEM students at LJCDS have been accepted to universities including New York University, King’s College London, and California Institute of Technology.
What is IEM Student Exchange?
Your family’s partner in San Diego
LJCDS is a day school. IEM provides homestay and local support so international students can attend while living away from their parents.
We find your homestay
We match each student with a welcoming, background-checked host family and stay in close contact throughout the year.
We support your student
An IEM advisor meets with your student every month. We help your student adjust to school life, plan activities, and are available any time in an emergency.
La Jolla Country Day School
Reviews applications for admission and issues the Form I-20 needed for the F-1 student visa.
IEM Student Exchange
Guides your family through the application and advocates for your student during the admission review. Then provides homestay, guardianship, and ongoing support.
Eligibility check
Can your student apply through IEM?
Answer three quick questions to see your next step.
La Jolla Country Day School at a glance
Source: LJCDS, At a Glance 2025–26
- 24Acres of campus
- 1,169Students, age 3 to Grade 12
- 16–20Students in a high school class (average)
- 65%Teachers with a master's degree or higher
- 4Full-time college counselors
- 650+College acceptances for the Class of 2026
- 38Sports teams
- 85%High school students on a sports team
Life at LJCDS
International students are full members of the LJCDS community.
International students take the same classes as their classmates and join the same sports teams, clubs, and arts programs.
Challenging academics
Students take advanced courses and solve real-world problems through the Design and Innovation program and the Center for Excellence in Citizenship.
Art, music and theater
High school students choose from 17 introductory arts courses taught by professional artists, then exhibit and perform on campus.
Sports
With 38 teams at different levels, students can find opportunities to compete. Many coaches played their sport at the college level.
What families and students say
“IEM helped me a lot by giving me useful advice for time management as well as warm encouragement when seeing me struggle with my busy schedule. My heart feels so warm when I see my IEM guardians come and support my performances, and bring our favorite Chinese food to traditional festivals. They are my family in the U.S. who inspire me and support me when I’m thousands of miles away from home.”
Victoria, LJCDS Class of 2020, from China
How it works
Follow these steps
Priority deadline for Fall 2027 entry: February 1st, 2027
Send an inquiry
Tell us about your student, including grade, English level, and planned start date.
Meet your advisor
Your advisor gets to know your student, explains the admission requirements, and helps you plan the next steps.
Prepare a strong application
We guide you through the application, assessments, and documents, and help you show your student’s strengths.
Admission review
We advocate for your student during the review, stay in contact with LJCDS, and keep your family informed about progress and next steps.
Visa and homestay
We work with LJCDS on the F-1 visa documents and match your student with a welcoming host family.
Arrival and ongoing care
We help your student settle in, check in every month, and support planning for university.
Have questions? Our advisors are here to help.
Ask about applyingSupport for enrolled students
Caring, local support for your student
When your student enrolls at LJCDS, IEM provides the local support they need to live and study in San Diego.
Legal guardian
A trusted adult in San Diego who can support your student and act on their behalf when needed.
F-1 visa help
We help your family prepare the required documents and coordinate with LJCDS on the Form I-20 process.
Homestay
A welcoming, background-checked host family, plus help with transportation.
Health insurance
Coverage for the full school year.
Monthly check-ins
An advisor meets with your student every month and shares updates with you.
Activities in San Diego
Trips and events that help students make friends and enjoy San Diego.
University planning
We work alongside the LJCDS college counselors to help your student plan the next step.
24/7 emergency support
Your student can reach us any time, day or night.
Questions
Questions and answers
Have another question? Book a meeting with an advisor. We speak English and Mandarin.
IEM Student Exchange is a San Diego-based non-profit organization and LJCDS’s international student partner. Because LJCDS is a day school, IEM provides homestay and local support for international students living away from their parents.
Students who need an F-1 visa apply through IEM. This includes students who already attend a U.S. school on an F-1 visa. Send us an inquiry, and we will guide you from there.
LJCDS does not offer English-language classes. Students need strong English skills to read, write, speak, and participate in classes taught in English. LJCDS uses its own admission assessments in English and does not accept TOEFL, SLEP, or similar tests.
Your advisor helps you prepare a complete application that shows your student’s strengths. During the review, we advocate for your student, stay in contact with the LJCDS admission team, and keep you updated at every step.
The timeline varies depending on the student and application stage. Families are encouraged to start early and apply during the first-round application cycle to have the best chance of securing a spot. Admission decisions are typically released in early March, with families given about 1–2 weeks to confirm their decision. Rolling admissions may require a decision within one week.
LJCDS sets its own tuition. IEM program fees cover homestay, guardianship, and ongoing support. Your advisor can give you a full cost overview.
We look forward to meeting your family.
Tell us about your student. An IEM advisor will contact you, answer your questions, and guide you through every step.