Bishop McNamara High School, a college-preparatory school founded in 1964, has been a home away from home for international students from all over the globe for many years. Being an international student at Bishop McNamara High School means more than just receiving a college preparatory education in the United States. Our students are not only integrated into our curriculum, but we want them to experience everything that our country has to offer, including what family life is like. That is why our international program boards students through host families who have been carefully screened and selected and will welcome our international students into their homes and lives. We feel that our program gives a much better experience and creates a more well-rounded international student. Our Director of Admissions works closely with the international students, Green Planet and host families to ensure a meaningful year abroad. Bishop McNamara High School's international program offers the opportunity to be a part of a close-knit community while residing near Washington, DC.

Bishop McNamara High School has had a long standing tradition of welcoming students from all over the world to our conveniently located campus.  Today, we proudly support this tradition with the continued enrollment of students from various countries.  Many of our international graduates have gone on to enjoy great success at American colleges and universities. We enjoy the cultural diversity the international students bring to our community and we look forward to hosting other students from countries around the globe.

International students coming from China should work through the Cambridge Institute to apply to Bishop McNamara High School. Through an exclusive agency arrangement, we have partnered with the Institute to help Chinese students work through the admissions process and be properly placed. All applicants from China should direct their inquiries to the Cambridge Institute’s Admissions Department at admissions@thecambridgeinstitute.org.  To submit application materials and begin the application process, please contact our consultants at The Cambridge Institute.

We are not able to provide housing in the form of "homestays" (with the exception of students enrolling from China through the Cambridge Institute in Boston Massachusetts).

Bishop McNamara High School, under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Washington, works with the Archdiocese to obtain for I-20’s to international students so that the students may acquire the proper Visa. International student tuition depends upon student visa status.

For questions please contact Mrs. Patricia Garber, Director of Admissions, via email or by phone at 301-735-8401 extension 113 or email Patricia.Garber@BMHS.org.

My Experience at Bishop McNamara by Guli Nazirova

Schools like McNamara are rare. From the first day of classes until the end of my exchange year the “McNamara family” of students, teachers and staff members was all accepting of me. Students would always smile and greet me even though they did not know me. At that time I thought they were a little crazy, but then I quickly came to realize how really glad they were to have me in their school.  I became friends with students in all of my classes. It also helped that when taking attendance teachers would always pause before calling my name;  first making sure they pronounce it correctly and then to make sure to let me know that I am welcome in their class.  Students always would come up and ask me questions about myself and my country, Tajikistan.

Living in a different country is definitely not an easy thing to do, but if all schools were like BMHS I truly believe everyone would have the most fulfilling experience. During the academic year there were so many holidays to celebrate, talent shows and cultural events  that it kept me busy at all times. I even taught a group of my classmates how to do a Tajik dance which we performed at the BMHS talent show.

Volunteering was probably my most favorite experience while studying at McNamara. Together with my classmates I actively participated in Camp Fire USA. We met after school to come up with plans to help raise awareness for good causes such as safe teen driving, children’s rights and etc. 

By the end of second semester at school I was very sad to leave the friends I made at McNamara. BMHS definitely assisted with my education and made the transition to college very easy.  I came back to USA and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management and Business Statistics at Old Dominion University. I hope to one day make a difference in the Supply Chain industry, and am currently working as an Air and Ocean Import Specialist at DB Schenker Inc. I thank God that I am still able to visit and stay in touch with my BMHS Family, as if I never even left.