At a Glance
Updated July 22, 2026Original research by SchoolDecision.com that you won't find anywhere else.
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Every fact above and in the tables comes from an official page or a cited source, gathered July 22, 2026 and reviewed before publication. We focus on best fit rather than ratings, because a single score can mislead: the right school for one child is the wrong school for another. We go beyond the numbers into what matters for parents, families, and students: how a school actually works, what it costs, who it serves, and the questions worth asking. Where sources disagree, we show every version. Where we corrected a detail after review, a note travels with that fact.
Terms used on this page
- Organization Type
- Single School is one campus. Network means multiple campuses run by one operator. Platform means the organization supports independently run schools rather than operating campuses itself.
- ESA Funds
- Education Savings Accounts are state programs letting eligible families direct public education money to approved options. "Accepted" means sources confirm this school takes ESA funds in the states listed; the full list may be larger than what sources confirm.
- Funding Stage
- How the operating organization is financed. Founder Funded means the founders finance it. Series A, B, C are rounds of outside investment. Nonprofit means it is organized as a nonprofit. This describes the organization, not what families pay.
- Accreditation vs. Membership
- Accreditation is a formal external review of the school. Membership means the school belongs to an association, which is not a review.
- Announced and Other Campuses
- Locations described in sources as announced, planned, paused, closed, or withdrawn rather than currently operating.
- School-Reported
- A figure the school states about itself that has not been independently checked by a third party.
- Disputed Claims
- Points where credible sources say different things. We show each version with its source instead of choosing one.
- Source Links
- Every "source" link opens the page a fact came from, so you can check it yourself.
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) (Accredited) source.
THINK Global School is not fully online and has no fixed physical campuses-it operates as the world's first traveling high school (boarding program). Students live and learn in 4 different countries each academic year, rotating through 8 countries total over the two-year, WASC-accredited program for grades 11-12. Documented scheduled travel: 2026/27 - Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Italy; 2027/28 - Botswana, Mexico, India, Greece. Tuition is published at USD $94,050 per academic year on a need-based sliding scale; ~75% of students receive financial aid, and the school has supported students from 49 countries. The mailing/administrative address (1460 Broadway Street #4027, New York, NY 10036) is an office, not an instructional campus. No physical campuses exist; the operating model is continuous international residency.
Founders: Joann McPike (Founder; Chair, Board of Directors) source. Current leadership: Jen Buchanan, Principal / Head of School source; Joann McPike, Founder; Chair, Board of Directors source; Ashley Silver, Chief Vision Officer source; Zoe Baines, Director of Operations source.
Affiliated brands: THINK Learning Studio. Notable partnerships: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) (Accreditation) source; Local host/partner schools in each country visited (In-country classroom access during each 7-week term) source.
THINK Global School: Parent Guide to the World's First Traveling Boarding High School
THINK Global School (TGS) is a private, nonprofit boarding high school founded in 2010 that describes itself as the world's first traveling high school 1. Rather than operating from a fixed campus, TGS students and faculty relocate to a different country every seven weeks, living and learning in four countries per academic year and rotating through eight countries over the two-year program 12. The school is headquartered administratively in New York, NY, but holds no physical campus; its mailing address at 1460 Broadway Street, New York, NY 10036, serves as an office only 12.
Founded by Joann McPike, a photographer and traveler from New Zealand, TGS enrolled its first class of 15 students from 11 countries in Sweden in September 2010 11. The school serves approximately 15 students per grade level and reports a 3% acceptance rate, making it one of the more selective independent high schools operating internationally 23. Its educational model centers on the Changemaker Curriculum, a project- and place-based learning framework accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) 14.
Snapshot facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | THINK Global School 1 |
| Operating status | Active; year-round academic calendar (July to June) 2 |
| Founded | 2010 13 |
| Founders | Joann McPike credited as sole founder on official pages 12; disputed, see Public/charter/private section |
| Current leadership | Jen Buchanan, Principal / Head of School; Joann McPike, Founder and Board Chair; Ashley Silver, Chief Vision Officer; Zoe Baines, Director of Operations 312 |
| Primary location | Administrative office in New York, NY; no physical campus 12 |
| Grades served | 10-12 per verified records; current program described as grades 11-12 27 |
| Public/charter/private status | Private, U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit 17 |
| Tuition or funding model | Published at USD $94,050/year; flexible need-based sliding scale; aid band $0 to $94,050 10 |
| Admissions model | Selective; need-aware; approximately 3% acceptance rate 2310 |
| Educational model | Traveling boarding; project- and place-based learning (Changemaker Curriculum) 14 |
| Evidence confidence | School-reported outcomes; no independently audited data published 78 |
What it is
THINK Global School is a single-site private nonprofit high school that operates as a continuous international residency rather than a campus-based institution 12. Students, faculty, and staff travel together as a cohort, spending approximately seven weeks in each host country before returning home for a five-week break between terms 214. The academic year runs from July through June and includes four country-based terms per year 2. Since its founding, TGS has held terms in over 30 countries across six continents 217.
The school enrolls roughly 15 students per grade level, creating a deliberately small community that it describes as resembling a "miniature United Nations" 2. TGS reports that its 2024-25 student body represented 25 countries of citizenship and spoke up to 19 languages 7. Over the past five years, approximately 75% of students have received financial aid, and the school has supported students from 49 countries 10. The school is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization 17.
Educational model
TGS uses the Changemaker Curriculum, a project-based and place-based learning framework that integrates traditional academic disciplines with immersive, location-specific experiences 414. Each term begins with one week of online preparation, during which students select their project-based learning module and begin research assignments 14. Students then spend seven weeks in the host country pursuing group and independent projects tied to their surroundings 14.
The curriculum is organized around 122 learning targets across 10 categories, covering subjects including mathematics, science, English, social science, world language, art, physical education and health, and 21st-century skills 45. Each term, students choose one of several teacher-led modules that combine multiple academic subjects around a "driving question" relevant to the host location 414. During a term in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, students explored how to convey the complexities of ethnic and religious reconciliation through their experience of the country 4. Students are also encouraged to complete 3 to 5 personal projects per term, designed in collaboration with a mentor 4.
Mastery is assessed through three levels: Novice (understanding and remembering), Specialist (analyzing, evaluating, and applying), and Master (creating new ideas and teaching others) 5. To graduate, students must achieve Novice rank in all 122 learning targets, Specialist rank in 70% of targets, and complete at least one mastery project 45.
Student experience
Students live in shared community housing and eat meals together while in each host country 10. The school reports a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, with faculty and staff living and traveling alongside students throughout the journey 13. Each student receives a MacBook Air and an iPhone with a global data plan, along with individual stipends for project-based learning 10. The school provides comprehensive health and emergency travel insurance 10.
Between terms, students return home for approximately five weeks, which the school describes as time for processing experiences, pursuing internships or personal projects, or resting 214. The average class size is reported as 11 students 3. The school states that its deliberately small cohort and constant faculty presence create a tightly bonded community 2.
Curriculum, assessment, and progression
Assessment at TGS departs from conventional grading in several respects. Students collaborate with educators to design rubric criteria at the start of each term and then self-assess their work against these "excellency paragraphs" at the end 45. Letter grades are assigned, but they are determined by the student's own critical assessment of their rubric performance, in consultation with advisors 5. Each term culminates in a project-based showcase where teams present their module's final product to a live audience 14.
At the end of each term, students receive narrative reports of approximately 11 pages covering academic achievements based on associated learning targets, advisory comments on emotional and social well-being, and the student's own reflection on their work 4. TGS tracks each student's skill progression through a project-based learning software platform called Headrush 5.
The school reports a 99% graduation rate 78. The Class of 2022 graduated with a cumulative 3.8 grade point average on a non-weighted universal scale 6. Graduation requirements include proficiency in all 21st-century skills, completion of a Capstone Research Project, a service project, a mastery project, and participation in wellness and university preparation programs 78.
Public, charter, private, nonprofit, program, network, or platform status
TGS is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization registered in the United States with its administrative office in New York, NY 17. The school has no parent organization or operator listed in verified records. A sibling brand, THINK Learning Studio, is associated with the school. A foundation established by founder Joann McPike provides long-term funding for the school 11.
The founding of TGS is the subject of a disputed claim. The school's official pages credit Joann McPike as the sole founder 12. However, Wikipedia lists "Harald and Joann McPike" as founders, while EdDesign Magazine names "Joann and Harry McPike, a married couple from New Zealand" 1819. The school's own "Our Story" page references "Joann and Harry" McPike as a couple who together envisioned the school 11. These competing versions have not been formally reconciled.
Locations and availability
TGS has no fixed physical campus 12. Students and staff travel to four countries per academic year, with each term lasting approximately seven weeks 2. The documented travel schedule for 2026/27 includes Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Italy; for 2027/28, the planned destinations are Botswana, Mexico, India, and Greece 1. Since 2010, the school has held terms in over 30 countries 217.
The school notes that destinations are subject to change based on climate, local ecosystems, transportation, and regional security considerations 217. In each host country, TGS partners with local schools for in-country classroom access during each term. The school does not offer any fully online program 2.
Tuition, admissions, and eligibility
The full published tuition for one academic year is USD $94,050, but TGS uses a need-based sliding scale so that all families pay according to their demonstrated financial need 10. The aid band ranges from $0 to $94,050. Approximately 75% of students receive financial aid, and the school states it covers 100% of demonstrated financial need for accepted students who apply for aid 10. The 2024-25 school profile reports that 71% of students received some form of financial aid 7. The school operates under a need-aware admissions framework, meaning financial need is considered during final cohort assembly, though all applicants are evaluated on the same rubrics 10.
Tuition covers housing and meals, ground transportation, academic modules, technology (including a MacBook Air and iPhone), and medical and travel insurance 10. It does not cover independent flights to and from the start of each term, passport fees, visas, or personal spending money, though flight costs are considered in the financial aid review 10.
Admissions is selective, with a reported 3% acceptance rate 23. The process includes an initial application with a $100 non-refundable fee, an admission staff interview, a full application with school transcripts and recommendations, a VIA Character Strengths Assessment, and faculty interviews 29. Students may enter in Grade 11; the school does not accept students into Grade 12, and a minimum of two years of coursework at TGS is required to graduate 2.
Credits, transcripts, diplomas, certifications, and accreditation
- TGS is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) 1413.
- Students who complete the program graduate with a United States High School Diploma, which the school describes as recognized worldwide 2.
- TGS is a member of the Education Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) 78.
- In 2023, the school received the Progressive Educational Delivery Award at The PIEoneer Awards for its Changemaker Curriculum 78.
Evidence and outcomes
Outcome data for TGS are school-reported. The school reports a 99% graduation rate and a 92% to 94% university matriculation rate, with the figure varying between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school profiles 7815. As of the 2025-26 school profile, 212 students have graduated since the school's founding, hailing from 58 countries 38. Graduates have matriculated to universities including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, NYU, Georgetown, King's College London, McGill, and ETH Zurich, among others listed on the school's university matriculation page 615.
No independently audited outcome data or standardized test score results are published by the school. Students self-study for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, and AP exams, with the school providing resource recommendations but not formal test preparation courses 16. The school states "School Ranking System: Not Applicable" on its profile 7.
Best fit
TGS may be a fit for families seeking an immersive, travel-based education for self-motivated adolescents who are comfortable with continuous relocation, shared living, and project-based learning. The school's small cohort size (roughly 15 per grade), low student-to-teacher ratio (4:1), and need-based financial aid model may appeal to families who value individualized attention and global exposure. The program requires a minimum two-year commitment and does not accept students into Grade 12, so timing of enrollment is a practical consideration. Families should weigh the absence of a fixed campus, the need for frequent international travel, and the self-directed nature of the curriculum against their child's temperament and academic needs.
Questions parents should ask
- How does the sliding-scale tuition model translate to my family's specific financial circumstances, and what is the realistic expected family contribution?
- What happens if a planned destination country becomes unsafe or logistically unfeasible mid-year, and how does the school communicate itinerary changes?
- How does the self-assessment grading model affect university admissions, and how do universities interpret TGS transcripts?
- What support systems exist for student mental health, homesickness, and cultural adjustment during continuous international travel?
- What are the specific graduation requirements for transfer students entering at Grade 11, and how are credits from previous schools evaluated?
- How does the disputed founding history reflect on institutional transparency, and has the school formally addressed the question of co-founders?
Research notes and open questions
School-reported outcomes dominate; the school publishes detailed profiles and matriculation lists but no independently audited outcome data.
- Whether grades served are 10-12 or 11-12, as verified records list 10-12 but the school's FAQ and recent profiles describe a two-year program for grades 11-12 only.
- Exact tuition contribution for a given family under the sliding scale, which depends on a third-party financial assessment.
- Whether the disputed co-founder question (Harry/Harald McPike) has been formally addressed by the school.
Sources
[1] "THINK Global School - The World's First Traveling High School," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/, accessed July 22, 2026. [2] "FAQ," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/about/faq/, accessed July 22, 2026. [3] "THINK Global School At A Glance," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/tgs-at-a-glance/, accessed July 22, 2026. [4] "Understanding The Changemaker Curriculum," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/understanding-the-changemaker-curriculum/, accessed July 22, 2026. [5] "What Are Learning Targets at THINK Global School?," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/what-are-learning-targets-at-tgs/, accessed July 22, 2026. [6] "School Profile 2022-23," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/TGS-School-Profile-2022-23-December-Revisions.pdf, accessed July 22, 2026. [7] "School Profile 2024-25," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TGS-School-Profile-2024-25-Final.pdf, accessed July 22, 2026. [8] "School Profile 2025-26," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/School-Profile-2025-26-July-31-2025.pdf, accessed July 22, 2026. [9] "The Admissions Process," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/admissions/the-admissions-process/, accessed July 22, 2026. [10] "Tuition and Financial Aid," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/, accessed July 22, 2026. [11] "Our Story," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/about/our-story/, accessed July 22, 2026. [12] "Joann McPike," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/our-members/joann-mcpike/, accessed July 22, 2026. [13] "TGS Announces Initial WASC Accreditation," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/tgs-announces-initial-wasc-accreditation/, accessed July 22, 2026. [14] "Our Curriculum," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/academics/the-tgs-curriculum/, accessed July 22, 2026. [15] "University Matriculation," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/academics/university-matriculation/, accessed July 22, 2026. [16] "University Preparation," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/academics/university-preparation/, accessed July 22, 2026. [17] "Our Travels," THINK Global School, https://thinkglobalschool.org/our-travels/, accessed July 22, 2026. [18] "Think Global School," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_Global_School, accessed July 22, 2026. [19] "Think Global School," EdDesign Magazine, https://eddesignmagazine.com/think-global-school/, accessed July 22, 2026.