THINK Global School (TGS) is a high school that offers students a transformative education focused on place-based and project-based learning. With a 3% acceptance rate and a deliberately small student body, TGS enrolls only the most exceptional students for Grades 10-12. Attendees hail from a diversity of backgrounds but are all aligned in their commitment to growing through firsthand experiences and a shared vision for a more equitable and compassionate world. Since its inception, THINK Global School has held terms in over 30 countries and graduated 182 students hailing from 51 countries.
THINK Global School operates on a year-round academic calendar beginning in July each year and concluding in June of the following year. Terms are held in four different countries for seven weeks at a time, with students returning home for five weeks in between countries. This approach allows students to experience a variety of cultures, languages, people, and ideas throughout the course of their academic journey. Our travel calendar can be found here. Our travel calendar can be found here.
THINK students are competitively selected from all corners of the globe and all walks of life. There are roughly 15 students in each grade level at the school. Together, they are a miniature United Nations, representing 29 different countries of citizenship as well as a diverse range of experiences, talents, and interests. Read more about our students.
THINK Global School students come from all over the world and represent a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and systems of belief.
Our current student body hail from eighteen countries, speak many languages and experienced vastly different upbringings. They regularly share their unique perspectives on life, the world, and current events during classroom conversations and community events.
Their collective human experiences also play a pivotal role in our ability to provide an education informed by the world — something you won’t find at most boarding and international schools.
Due to our unique academic requirements, the priority we place on safety, and a variety of other logistical factors, the process of securing our host cities and host schools is a complex one. Things can change unexpectedly; we always maintain a working list of alternates. So yes, THINK Global School can change the itinerary at our discretion. It is important for families to recognize that students are signing on for a global educational experience, not for the experience of any specific city or region.
As our world becomes increasingly interconnected through societies and economies, the need for innovative education models grows. Challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and technological disruption require global cooperation, and education must evolve to prepare students to address these complex issues.
THINK Global School’s hands-on, experiential approach empowers students to engage authentically with these real-world problems and to develop solutions that transcend national borders. In an era where adaptability, creativity, and global awareness are more important than ever, global schools equip students not just with academic knowledge but also with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to become compassionate, proactive leaders.
THINK Global School is a traveling boarding school, which means we do not have a traditional brick-and-mortar campus or physical location in the United States. Instead, we embark on a global journey each term, immersing ourselves in different cultures and environments around the world. Each school year consists of four terms held in four different countries.Visit Our Travels Page.
No. THINK Global School is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit — in other words, we’re a charitable enterprise.
Offsite weeks are designed to give students time to reflect, catch up on assignments, or pursue independent projects after intensive travel and learning experiences. While this could create feelings of remoteness from peers, TGS emphasizes creating a close-knit, supportive community that encourages interaction even when students aren’t physically together.
To promote interaction during offsite weeks, we use online platforms like video conferencing, collaborative projects, and digital group discussions to maintain a sense of connection. Given TGS’s emphasis on experiential learning, students are encouraged to share their experiences, findings, and progress with their peers regularly, fostering collaboration and social ties.
Pastoral care at TGS emphasizes emotional, academic, and social support, ensuring students feel safe and nurtured throughout their unique learning journey, even during remote weeks. TGS has a comprehensive system to support students’ well-being. This includes designated staff members who act as mentors, regular check-ins with students, and counseling services.
THINK Global School is a bold educational endeavor that rethinks traditional assumptions about what and how students should learn. This challenges every member of the THINK community to be creative, reflective, and focused on long-term developmental outcomes. Learn more about the people in our organization.
In everything we do, we strive to uphold our core values. We are also careful to provide positive role modeling for our students as we help them develop responsibility, respect, academic excellence, integrity, and good judgment.
THINK Global School graduates bring a unique blend of skills, perspectives, and experiences to the world. Here’s what they contribute:
A Global Perspective: Graduates of TGS have lived and learned in multiple countries, immersing themselves in diverse cultures. This exposure cultivates empathy, open-mindedness, and cultural awareness. They are equipped to engage with people from various backgrounds, making them influential global citizens.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: TGS’s project-based learning model trains students to think critically and address complex real-world challenges. Whether tackling social, environmental, or economic issues, they use creativity, resourcefulness, and sustainable solutions.
Leadership and Collaboration: Through collaborative projects, TGS graduates develop leadership rooted in empathy, respect, and purpose. They excel in bringing diverse groups together to achieve common goals, valuing accountability and integrity.
Adaptability and Resilience: Having navigated diverse cultures and environments, TGS graduates are highly adaptable and resilient. They thrive in dynamic situations, embracing change and solving problems in unfamiliar contexts, preparing them to excel in an evolving world.
A Passion for Positive Impact: With a strong sense of responsibility, TGS graduates are driven to contribute to society through environmental sustainability, social justice, or community development. Their hands-on experiences with impactful projects inspire them to create meaningful change.
Lifelong Learning and Curiosity: A TGS education fosters a love for learning and an insatiable curiosity about the world. Graduates are independent thinkers, continually seeking knowledge and personal growth long after graduation.
Emotional Intelligence and Compassion: Beyond academics, TGS emphasizes emotional intelligence. Graduates understand the importance of empathy, communication, and well-being. They build strong relationships and are attuned to the needs of others, both personally and professionally.
In summary, THINK Global School graduates offer the world a combination of practical skills, intellectual curiosity, and deep personal values. They are poised to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers in any path they choose to pursue.
The qualification granted by TGS upon graduation is a United States High School Diploma, which is recognized world-wide. It’s a school-leaving qualification that is fully accredited by the U.S. Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Note: In the U.S. where, four years of high school are required, students must complete Grade 9 elsewhere prior to applying to TGS.
THINK Global School has its own highly qualified faculty that is part of the school in every way a traditional team of teachers would be, and then some. They teach, supervise, mentor projects, and travel with the students in all countries that we visit.
In addition to our own teaching staff, THINK Global School facilitates opportunities for students to interact with classes at host and partner schools, and to learn from local experts in the cities of residence. Learn more about our educators.
THINK Global School integrates STEM subjects directly into the projects that students work on, ensuring that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are a natural part of their learning experience. These subjects are not taught in isolation; instead, they are embedded within the real-world projects that students undertake, aligning with the school’s experiential learning approach. The focus on STEM is also reflected in THINK Global School’s learning targets, where students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills as part of their broader project goals.
At THINK Global School, we believe that the world is our classroom. As a place-based school, we immerse students in diverse global environments, using each country we visit as an opportunity to learn from the local culture, community, and environment. Our students don’t just study about the world; they experience it firsthand, gaining knowledge and understanding through real-world exposure.
In addition to place-based learning, we emphasize a project-based education through our Changemaker Curriculum, with students tackling real-world challenges through hands-on, inquiry-driven projects. These projects are often directly tied to the communities and environments where we travel, ensuring that students make meaningful contributions while developing essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.
By blending place-based and project-based learning, THINK Global School provides an education that is dynamic, experiential, and deeply connected to the world. Our students graduate not only with academic knowledge but with the cultural awareness, practical skills, and global perspective needed to make a positive impact on the world.
If your child attends THINK Global School for all three years, most of their educators will likely travel with them to all 12 countries as our educators tend to teach at TGS for at least five years, if not longer.
At THINK Global School, the world truly is our classroom. Due to our focus on experiential and project-based learning, we visit a wide array of locations in each country we visit. Biology lessons in a rainforest, history lessons in a museum, and conversations with local experts on all manner of topics are not uncommon.
Students also experience the best of both worlds by learning in traditional classroom settings as well, enabling them to maximize their productivity during self-directed projects and teacher-led project modules. This student-centered approach to learning emphasizes proactive problem-solving, creativity, and deep critical thinking — invaluable skills in our increasingly interconnected global society.
Our primary language of instruction at THINK Global School is English, and all applicants must demonstrate a proficient level to attend. Although we don’t provide instruction in other languages, our THINK Local component encourages all community members to learn functional words in the primary languages of our host countries. This effort enriches the experience for everyone, fostering deeper connections and understanding within the local cultures.
We believe that education should connect you to the world around you, providing context and insight into today’s most pressing issues. Drawing from the 21st Century’s most innovative and effective educational models, the Changemaker Curriculum combines high academic standards with interdisciplinary, project-based learning—so your environment informs your studies and your studies give meaning to your environment.
Through development in three key areas, the Changemaker Curriculum builds informed, intelligent global citizens who are empowered to enact real and lasting change. Learn more about our curriculum.
Each student is assigned an educator as a primary advisor, but due to our community being intentionally small, all TGS educators also offer students personalized academic support, along with the guidance and mentoring needed from our school and college counselor to navigate the occasional challenges of adolescence and world travel. Learn more about our academic advisory program.
Students at TGS gain much more than academic knowledge through their global education. By being immersed in diverse cultures and environments, they develop compassion as they engage deeply with different communities and learn to appreciate perspectives beyond their own. Humility emerges as they recognize the vastness of the world and the complex challenges it holds, helping them understand that their learning is a continuous journey. This experiential approach also fosters a sense of awe as students witness the beauty, resilience, and interconnectedness of our global society, inspiring them to approach learning and life with curiosity and respect for the world around them.
Through these values, THINK Global School students are equipped not only with academic excellence but also with the character and empathy necessary to better themselves and make meaningful contributions in the world.
THINK Global School serves our enrolled students for AP exams and other academic programs, and we do not currently have a system for outside students to take exams.
Our students are closely supervised by faculty and staff in all of our residential accommodations. Our top priority is the safety and security of our students. Beyond that, we make residential arrangements in our host cities that facilitate deep immersion with the local culture. An authentic sense of participation in civic life starts with planned activities, but it’s the spontaneous walks around the neighborhood that really make it happen. Learn more about student life at THINK Global School.
Uniforms are not required at THINK Global School, but students are always expected to dress in a manner that is respectful to their fellow students, their teachers, and the culture of our host cities.
When a student is enrolled at THINK Global School, we send the family information about what he/she may and may not bring to school, as well as weight limits. In the interest of maximizing our flexibility and minimizing our footprint, we encourage all of the students, teachers, and staff who travel with us to pack lightly.
Sample packing list:
Saturdays are a day of instruction at THINK Global School, meaning students typically work on their project modules, listen to guest speakers, attend excursions relevant to their learning, participate in student leadership meetings, play sports, and more.
Sundays are reserved as a day of rest and discovery, with students having the day off to explore their host city, FaceTime with friends and family back home, attend museums and movies, try new foods, or simply read a book in a hammock if they so choose. Learn more about student life at THINK Global School.
THINK Global School fosters a culture of inclusivity through several intentional practices, ensuring that all students feel included and valued:
A Diverse and Welcoming Community: TGS intentionally brings together students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds from around the world. This diversity is celebrated as an asset, with students encouraged to share their unique perspectives and experiences. The school creates an environment where every student feels respected and heard, regardless of their background.
Personalized Learning and Support: TGS tailors the educational experience to each student’s individual needs, interests, and learning styles. Teachers and mentors take time to understand each student’s strengths and challenges, ensuring personalized academic and personal support. This approach helps students feel seen as individuals, enhancing their sense of belonging.
Collaborative, Project-Based Learning: Through project-based learning, TGS students collaborate in diverse teams, working with peers from different cultures and viewpoints. This fosters mutual respect and understanding while allowing students to feel like valued contributors to their team’s success.
Inclusive Curriculum: TGS’s curriculum integrates global issues, local contexts, and cross-cultural perspectives, making learning relevant for all students. By engaging with diverse content and recognizing multiple viewpoints, the school helps students see their own identities reflected in what they study, fostering an inclusive mindset.
Well-Being and Pastoral Care: TGS prioritizes student well-being through its pastoral care system, which includes mentorship and emotional support. Each student has access to mentors and counselors who regularly check in on their emotional and mental health. This ensures that students feel supported in all areas, and any issues related to inclusion are addressed promptly.
Safe and Open Dialogue: TGS promotes open communication through structured dialogues, reflection sessions, and group discussions. Students are encouraged to express themselves without fear of judgment, fostering a safe environment for exploring topics like identity, inclusion, and difference, where every voice matters.
Cultural Competency and Respect: Through its core values and student life, TGS emphasizes respect, empathy, and cultural competency. As students travel to new countries and engage with different cultures, they learn to appreciate differences and develop a deep respect for each other’s backgrounds. This cultural exchange helps build a strong sense of inclusion and belonging.
Through these practices, THINK Global School ensures that all students feel supported, included, and integral to the community, no matter where they come from or who they are.
At THINK Global School, meals are a blend of structured breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, as well as stipend-based meals, where students can dine at their favorite café or, for the more adventurous, explore new and exotic eateries. Nutrition and wellness are discussed with each student by their advisor, with healthy eating choices being recommended.
We also believe cuisine is an integral part of learning and understanding a culture. Students are exposed to a variety of food experiences during their time in each city and periodically take cooking lessons that give them a chance to experiment hands-on with local ingredients and flavors. Special dietary needs are always honored and should be discussed with school staff prior to enrolling at THINK Global School.
THINK students must have strong academic qualifications, but also the unique blend of curiosity, independence, and adaptability essential for world travel and global exploration. Because students depend so much on one another to navigate unfamiliar places and experiences, a strong spirit of teamwork and collaboration is also important. These characteristics can be demonstrated in your admissions essays and interviews, and also through your record of proactive engagement with activities in and outside of school. It’s always best to apply early and to show your creativity on our unique online application. Learn more about Learn more about who should apply to THINK Global School.
Classes at TGS begin in July and end in June. You can start your application one year prior to your intended enrollment start date. Learn more about our admissions process here.
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are open now.
To start an application click here.
For the 2026-2027 school year and later: We welcome early inquiries for 26-27 and future school years. To apply for future school years, please submit an inquiry here. You will be added to our list of future applicants, and we will send you a reminder notice when applications open one year in advance.
We are committed to making THINK Global School a reality for outstanding young people who can flourish in a global, multicultural environment and make the most out of the unique opportunities our school offers.
Tuition operates on a sliding scale for accepted students who demonstrate a need for financial support. However, scholarship awards are based on a large number of applicants and a limited number of funds. We encourage all interested prospective students to apply to THINK Global School.
Learn more about our tuition and financial aid policies.
Our school policy requires that students be 18 years or younger while attending THINK Global School. If a student will be 19 years of age prior to their expected TGS graduation date, unfortunately they do not qualify.
Click here to see if you meet the TGS age requirement for applying.
THINK Global School is not a short-term semester abroad program. We are a high school for students in grades 10-12, and students may enter TGS in either Grade 10 or Grade 11. In order to complete our graduation requirements and receive a TGS diploma, a minimum of two years of coursework at TGS is required. Students are not accepted into Grade 12.
No. In order to complete graduation requirements and receive a TGS diploma, a minimum of two years of coursework is required. Students can enter TGS in Grade 10 or Grade 11.
While tuition and scholarships cover housing, meals, and transportation during THINK Global School’s in-country terms, as a not-for-profit institution, we are unable to cover living expenses during the five-week breaks when students return home.
No. All students are required to attend TGS from the first day of the academic school year in July. The academic and social continuity from term to term is critical in carrying out our educational mission and building our school community.
We welcome parent visits to THINK Global School, with arrangements made at least two weeks in advance. The ideal time for a visit is at the end of a term, ensuring students are free from academic commitments and can spend quality time with their parents. This also allows parents to attend our end-of-term project-based learning showcase, where students exhibit and present what they’ve learned throughout the term. As valued members of our community, parents are always encouraged to participate in these events.
Each student is given a THINK Global School email address, and they are free to install programs like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Google Meets to communicate with family and friends back home how they see fit. Parents or guardians are encouraged to communicate regularly with their children and their teachers via Google Meets.
THINK Global School has an extensive global insurance policy. In addition to this coverage, we pre-arrange local health care coverage for students in the event of illnesses and accidents.
No. Families are responsible for the punctual arrival of their children to each of the four locations during the academic year. However, families can arrange for airline staff to accompany students during the entire flight and release them only to authorized THINK staff members.
Families can rest assured that security is an essential consideration for THINK Global School. However, one of the requirements of maintaining a good security program is to not discuss its details on a public website. Please feel free to contact us for more information on our security protocols.
No. Technology facilitates learning at Think Global School, making it a part of our academic curriculum and our daily lives in-country and online. All necessary hardware and software will be supplied to students by the school, and is included as part of their tuition. Learn more about our learning technologies.
THINK Global School retains ownership of all assigned devices and they will be collected when a student leaves the school. There are times when an opportunity to buyout assigned technology is offered, but this is not always guaranteed.
Students are encouraged to help us identify useful learning software, and can install any other programs they wish provided they follow our acceptable use policy. These rules and guidelines ensure a safe, respectful, and legal online experience for everyone at the school.
We expect a wide range of abilities and prior experience. While we utilize Apple hardware and Cloud-based software, it’s not necessary to be an expert with an iPhone, MacBook or navigating Google Drive. Students will be provided with the training and support they need for success at THINK Global School, and we also emphasize digital literacy skills that will be useful to them later in life.
The travel team will carefully review your child’s tentative travel plans and provide guidance around connection times and transit visas while also ensuring the proposed travel matches the student’s scheduled arrival and departure dates and airport locations.
When sending tentative flight information, please be sure to include:
These deadlines are necessary to allow our onsite staff the appropriate lead time to organize airport transfer plans and any overnight accommodation arrangements close to the host location airport, if needed.
If you wish to have your child arrive by an alternate means of transport than air, please send your tentative plans to the TGS travel team for review and approval.
Yes, to all three requests! We always love to meet our wider TGS community in person. We do however recommend the following:
It is strongly encouraged that round-trip travel be booked into and out of each host location prior to the deadline to send travel information for each term. The reason we encourage such bookings is that most host countries require visitors to have their tickets for departure in hand before flying in.
TGS is not responsible for accommodating student travel outside of the specified dates outlined, however we are happy to offer advice and make exceptions when possible. In the event that TGS is not able to accommodate your child’s plans outside of the specified dates the legal guardian(s) will be required to sign an electronic consent form giving permission for the student to be responsible for themselves during this time and no longer under the care of TGS staff. In any case, where your child’s plans differ from the dates specified by TGS you will need to contact both TGS Travel Team, onsite principal, and in-country coordinator to make the necessary arrangements.
Please note that the TGS travel team is based in the US Eastern Time Zone, so all emails will be reviewed based on office hours respective of this time zone. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response during the workweek. On weekends, it may take a little longer for a response, but a response will be provided no later than the following Monday, 12:00 pm ET.
The travel team will try to accommodate early travel bookings; however, please note that if the future term’s schedule should change, TGS cannot assume responsibility for any costs incurred in changing your child’s ticket.
Unfortunately, this is not something TGS encourages as the travel calendar is subject to change until the dates are finalized. Further, there is always the possibility that a location may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or political unrest.
The notarized Parental Consents form is intended to protect your child during travel from unnecessary delays or questioning by foreign customs officials and/or airline employees – should such persons decide to question why the student is traveling without a parent or guardian. While this is not expected to occur in the regular course of travel, we don’t want your child to be unprepared if it does, as this could result in your child being denied entry to the host country.
The three original sets of notarized forms that we request are used as follows:
Student set – should be carried by the student at all times while traveling in case it is requested by airline personnel or immigration officers
Onsite set – will be maintained by TGS onsite staff to be used in case of an emergency or to replace the student’s set if it is misplaced
New York office set – will be maintained by TGS remote staff to be used in case the onsite and student copies are misplaced.
It’s important to note that extra original sets may be necessary as embassies/consulates may retain original documents filed with visa applications.
Please note that a determination of whether a visa is needed for a host country as well as the process to obtain the visa, should a visa be required, is the responsibility of the student’s family. However, our global travel coordinator will provide a general checklist prior to the start of each term. This checklist will provide guidance and a general overview of the visa process for that particular host country.
In addition, TGS will provide any visa documentation that is generally required for that particular host country; however, a visa’s status is susceptible to sudden change, so we strongly encourage parents to contact the host countries’ consulates by phone to ensure that all visa application information is as up-to-date as possible.
Unfortunately, no one can guarantee visa issuance. TGS consults with immigration attorneys in each location to ensure that the checklists and supporting documentation are compliant with the host country’s immigration laws and regulations; however, immigration laws and regulations are subject to change with little or no notice and visa issuance is at the full discretion of each host country consulate.
Please note that visa refusals or denials are rare, but they do sometimes occur. TGS does consult with immigration attorneys in each host location to ensure that students are applying for the most appropriate visa type and that the paperwork and guidance meets the appropriate requirements. Should your child receive a visa refusal or denial, you may select an immigration attorney of your choice for that host location.
If you prefer, we will also be more than happy to provide the contact information for our attorney in said host country, but please understand that TGS will not cover the cost of attorney assistance in the event of a visa refusal or denial. Otherwise, TGS will provide any and all assistance the immigration attorney deems necessary to file a new visa application, if permitted.
Although we feel the breaks between host locations should allow adequate processing time for most students to obtain their appropriate visas, there may be times when a student will run into unexpected processing delays or encounter a host country for which processing time exceeds the break. If your child encounters either situation, please reach out to the TGS travel team for coordination assistance with our onsite staff to ensure your child has the necessary support through this difficult time, and to ensure on-the-ground support when he or she is ready to travel. Due to the 80% attendance requirement found in our Student-Parent Handbook, we ask that visa applications are filed as soon as possible at the start of each break if a visa is required for the next host country.
Most host countries require that applicants file visa applications in the applicant’s home country. Given this requirement, TGS strongly encourages parents to ask the host country consulate about their jurisdictional requirements for filing an application prior to making plans for your child’s breaks. Parents should also be aware that some host countries also require that applicants file their applications in person, so this also will need to be determined while contacting host country consulates.
A passion for travel. A strong academic record. And the desire to improve the world as you experience it. If this sounds like you, you just might be our ideal candidate! Start your application with a five-minute inquiry form - you never know where you might end up.
A passion for travel. A strong academic record. And the desire to improve the world as you experience it. If this sounds like you, you just might be our ideal candidate! Start your application with a five-minute inquiry form - you never know where you might end up.
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