Travel FAQs

All students must fill out an application to travel. 

Upper School students will interview with Trip Leaders and/or the Global Studies Office, as well as submit the name of a staff and/or faculty reference. Advisors will be consulted, as well.

Middle School students will submit the name of a staff and/or faculty reference. Interviews are not expected, but may be required if the number of applicants exceeds the number of spots available on the trips. 

Middle and Upper School applications are due by 3:30 pm on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Once the application process closes, all applications will be reviewed by the Global Studies office, Senior Administration and Trip Leaders. 

Acceptances for both Middle and Upper School will be emailed to students and parents no later than October 30, 2026.

The Middle School England roster will be announced by October 15, 2026.

• All enrolled Middle and Upper School students in current grades 6-11 in good academic and behavioral standing are eligible to apply for an travel opportunity. 

• CLS reserves the right to make decisions on the trip roster based on, but not limited to, the number of student applicants, age of student applicants, level of interest and skill in the subject matter, and general behavior/maturity of the student.

• If a trip receives a number of applicants that exceeds the trip maximum, interviews may be held to determine the final trip roster. 

• In certain cases, more restrictions may apply depending on the location and nature of the trip (ex. age, course prerequisites) 

• If a trip has more interest than roster spots, a waitlist will be created.

• CLS reserves the right to remove a student from a roster at any time prior to or during travel should there be a change in academic and/or behavioral expectation in concordance with the CLS Handbook.

• "Middle School" refers to rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders.

• "Upper School" refers to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. 

Charlotte Latin strongly recommends all travelers be up-to-date with their vaccinations prior to departure.  

Depending on the trip destination, specific immunizations may be recommended and/or required. Charlotte Latin School consults the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for this information and shares specific recommendations with all student travelers. At that point, CLS leaves it in the family's hands to discuss the immunizations with a physician and proceed accordingly.  Please visit the CDC's website for the most current information. 

Charlotte Latin strives to responsibly manage risks. We regularly review our risk management protocols, integrate feedback into program design, and invest in safety and communication equipment when needed. Trip leaders are required to complete a First Aid and CPR training course, complete risk management training prior to trip departure, and keep emergency protocols on-hand at all times when abroad. 

Charlotte Latin contracts with International SOS to provide a comprehensive package of 24-hour emergency assistance services, including pre-departure health and safety planning, medical and evacuation insurance, and real-time travel security information while abroad.  

Despite these efforts, Charlotte Latin School cannot guarantee safety nor can it eliminate the inherent and other risks of international student travel. 

If your student has been accepted on a CLS International Travel Program, a $1,000, non-refundable deposit is due to the Global Studies office (Ground Floor, McIntosh Leadership Center) by Friday, November 13, 2026 at 3:30 pm.

Please make all deposit checks out to Charlotte Latin School and include your trip name in the memo line.

Please note - Middle School England: ISCA students will pay program fees directly to ISCA and will have an amended payment schedule.

Along with the non-refundable deposit, all students and financially-responsible parents/guardians will be asked to sign and return a Reservation Agreement. If your deposit and Reservation Agreement is not received by the deadline, we will remove your name from the trip roster and open your spot to participants on a waitlist.

The remaining balance on all trips will be billed to your CLS account in February 2027 with payment due March 31, 2027. 

CLS strongly recommends families purchase trip cancellation insurance.  In our experience, we advise purchasing a policy that has a Cancel for Any Reason benefit. 

While CLS does not endorse any one insurance company, you may visit www.insuremytrip.com to compare and choose an option that fits your needs.  

In order to preserve the spirit and integrity of the immersive nature of our travel and exchange programs, parents are not allowed to meet up with their children while on program. 

Once the program has concluded, CLS does allow families to pick their child up abroad to continue family travels with advanced notice.

If your child does not plan to return home with the CLS group, parents must notify the Global Studies Office of your plans by December 1, 2026 in order to facilitate the airline ticketing process, fill out the necessary documentation, and avoid any financial penalties.