Student & School Programs
Southern California, academically speaking.
We design and run short-term study programs for international schools and education partners. You bring the students. We handle everything between the airport and the classroom. Weekends too.
Grades
6 – 12
Group size
5 – 50 students
Length
1 – 4 weeks
Where
Southern California
Who we work with
The people organizing the trip. Not the ones packing for it.
International schools
A winter or summer term abroad for your students, built around your curriculum and your calendar, including students who keep up with home-school classes online.
Education travel agencies
You own the client relationship. We become your team on the ground in San Diego and Orange County. Agent-friendly terms, no surprises.
Parent & alumni groups
A group of families who want something better than a summer camp brochure. We source the program and run it like it's our own kid on the plane.
Program formats
Four ways in. Mix as needed.
Every program is built from scratch around what the students need, whether that's a school-day routine, research for college applications, or a reason to stay on the range until sunset.
01
American school immersion
Students join regular classes at a local private school. Small classes, real American classmates, AP options for older students.
GOOD FOR: grades 9–12, 2–4 weeks
02
Research & field science
Hands-on programs where students collect real data: marine ecology, habitat restoration, food systems. The kind of thing that reads well on a college application.
GOOD FOR: college-bound students
03
University connection
Campus visits, faculty and researcher talks, and lab tours at Southern California universities. Add it to any program or run it on its own.
GOOD FOR: 1-week tours or add-ons
04
Sport + study
Classes in the morning, coaching in the afternoon. Golf is our home turf: practice sessions, a weekly 9-hole match, and courses most visitors never see.
GOOD FOR: student athletes
What we handle
The academics are someone else's job. Everything around them is ours.
Program sourcing
We find the school, research center or coach, vet them in person, and negotiate the terms.
Housing
Dormitory, homestay, or a supervised hotel close to the program. Safety and commute time decide it.
Supervision
Vetted chaperones on site, with staffing ratios agreed in writing before anyone books a flight.
Transportation
Airport pickup to farewell drop-off, by professional licensed charter carriers only.
Meals
Three a day, planned around the schedule, with dietary needs sorted in advance.
Weekends
History, science and culture: missions, museums, tide pools, campuses. Not a mall in sight.
How it works
Four steps. Only one involves a plane.
- 1
Tell us the goals
Ages, group size, dates, budget, and what success looks like for the students and their parents.
- 2
We source & propose
We visit the options in person and send a program outline with per-student pricing.
- 3
Confirm & prepare
Agreement and deposit, then enrollment, housing, transport and the day-by-day schedule.
- 4
They arrive. We run it.
From the arrivals curb to the departure gate. You get updates, not phone calls.
Sample weeks
Research program, week one.
An example, not a template. Every program is built around the group.
MON
Arrival, check-in, welcome dinner, orientation.
TUE
9–3: field research, data collection on the coast.
WED
9–3: field research, lab analysis.
THU
Campus visit and researcher talk.
FRI
9–3: findings and group presentation.
SAT
Cabrillo National Monument and Balboa Park museums.
SUN
Old Town history walk. Rest. Laundry, inevitably.
Weekday evenings stay free for homework and online classes from home.
English + golf, week one.
English in the morning with experienced ESL teachers. Golf in the afternoon. Nobody gets homework on the range.
MON
Arrival, check-in, welcome dinner, English placement chat.
TUE
9–12: English class. Afternoon: golf coaching and range session.
WED
9–12: English class. Afternoon: speaking practice out in the city.
THU
9–12: English class. Afternoon: short game and putting session.
FRI
9–12: English class. Afternoon: 9-hole match on a local course.
SAT
USS Midway Museum and the Embarcadero.
SUN
La Jolla Cove sea lions. Rest. Laundry, still inevitably.
Your person on the ground
Hi, I'm David.
I've lived in San Diego for 20 years, spent 25 running teams in the corporate world, and now run Local Knowledge. I'm also the parent of a high schooler, so I know what parents want to hear at 2 a.m.: everyone's fine.
I visit every school, program and hotel before your students do. During the program I'm the one you call, and I'll pick up.
David Schneider, Owner & Chief Experience Officer
Fully insured
General liability coverage for every program.
Licensed carriers
Student transport by professional charter companies only.
Ratios in writing
Adult-to-student staffing agreed before booking.
24/7 on call
A real local number for the length of the program.
Questions
The usual ones.
What does a program cost?
It depends on length, housing and the academic partner. Every program is quoted per student, with the academic fees, housing, meals and transport itemized.
How far ahead should we plan?
Three to four months is comfortable. Schools and housing fill up, especially for January and July.
Do you work with agencies?
Yes. Many of our programs come through education travel partners abroad. You keep the client relationship; we run on-the-ground operations in Southern California.
Can students keep up with classes from home?
Yes. We schedule program hours so students can join their home school online in the afternoon or evening, with quiet space and Wi-Fi sorted.
Do chaperones from our school travel too?
They're welcome, and we'll plan for them. If no one from your side can travel, we provide the supervision.
Tell us what the students need.
Ages, dates, group size, and what you'd like them to bring home. We'll come back with a program outline within a week.
david@localknowledgesd.com · (619) 292-8630