Student Management Group, Inc.

What Student Management Group, Inc. does

Student Management Group, Inc. (SMG) is a privately held, founder-led operator of international high school exchange and study abroad programs headquartered at 36 Park Avenue, Bay Shore, New York. Founded in 2004 by Wayne Brewer, who also serves as CEO of the affiliated International Student Exchange (ISE), SMG places international students aged 11-19 at roughly 200 partner public and private high schools across the United States and Canada, and since 2023 at schools in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, France, and Italy. Beyond partner-school placement, SMG owns and operates St. Thomas More School, an accredited college-preparatory boarding school in Oakdale, Connecticut on a 100-acre lakeside campus serving roughly 130 students (30% international), which it converted to co-ed in 2021 and uses as a flagship in-house placement venue alongside hosted summer camps and an online Dual Diploma program.

SMG's product portfolio is segmented by visa type and destination and includes F-1 Private Choice (90+ private US schools, $20,000-$80,000 pricing), F-1 Private Basic and Basic Plus (non-choice or limited-choice placement), F-1 Public (60+ US public school districts), SMG Canada (30+ districts with flexible English requirements), SMG Europe (UK plus four continental countries with AP/IB options), and St. Thomas More School products. Pricing tiers follow multi-year contract cadences for school placements and pay-as-you-go for summer programs. The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: a web-based application and a proprietary EXITS portal for agent resources and student/partner logins; no AI features, APIs, or SDKs are disclosed. Operating support functions include visa sponsorship (F-1), district and host-family placement, a 24-hour helpline, and in-person program monitoring.

The business model combines B2C placements with a channel-partner-led GTM. Approximately 6,000+ students have been placed through F-1 Private over the company's lifetime and nearly 1,000 students flow through SMG partner schools annually. Distribution leans heavily on a network of hundreds of international partner agencies in 60+ countries, supported by nearly 40 marketing trips per year, with secondary direct-to-consumer inquiry channels (multilingual website forms, WhatsApp, WeChat, toll-free phone) and school-side partnership recruiting. The company is founder-controlled with no disclosed institutional or venture capital backing and remains operationally concentrated in a small (~16-person) team that ties program operations, marketing (James Mann also oversees ISE marketing), and finance (CFO Marcel Maebara) across the SMG and ISE platforms.

Name

Student Management Group, Inc.

Legal name

Student Management Group, Inc.

Website

https://student-management.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Student Management Group, based in Bay Shore, New York, is a private operator of international high school exchange programs placing students at roughly 200 partner schools across the US, Canada, and Europe and running its own St. Thomas More boarding school in Connecticut.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Student Exchange Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Overseas Boarding School Enrollment & Placement (EDAIAHAA), Overseas Secondary Student Housing, Homestay & Boarding Services (EDAIAHAH), On-Ground Orientation, Travel, Transfers & Logistics Support (EDAIAHAL)

Keywords

• International student exchange
• High school study abroad
• F-1 visa programs
• Cultural exchange programs
• Boarding school placement

Headquarters

HQ city

Bay Shore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. F-1 Private School Programs: Tuition and program fees for international students attending US private high schools. Pricing ranges from $20,000-80,000 USD depending on school selection, program length, and services included. Includes placement, visa support, host family matching, and ongoing student support.
2. F-1 Public School Programs: Program fees for students attending US public high schools with access to 60+ school districts. Includes district placement, visa sponsorship, host family placement, and student support services.
3. SMG Canada High School Program: Program fees for international students studying in Canadian public and private schools across 30+ districts. Rolling admission available with flexible English requirements.
4. SMG Europe High School Program: Program fees for students studying in UK, Ireland, Spain, France, and Italy including boarding schools with AP and IB coursework options.
5. St. Thomas More School Programs: Boarding school tuition for SMG-owned St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Connecticut. Includes full academic year, semester programs, and summer camps.
6. Dual Diploma and Online Programs: Online course enrollment and dual diploma programs allowing students worldwide to earn US high school credits and diplomas remotely.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Student Management Group places international students aged 11–19 into private, public, and boarding high schools across the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company manages the full exchange lifecycle — recruitment through partner agencies in 60+ countries, visa sponsorship (F-1), school and host family placement, and ongoing in-program support. It also operates St. Thomas More School, a wholly owned accredited boarding school in Connecticut that extends its program control.

Product overview

Student Management Group (SMG) operates a multi-program portfolio of high school exchange programs across North America and Europe. The core offerings include F-1 visa programs for private and public high schools in the United States (F-1 Private Choice, F-1 Private Basic, F-1 Basic Plus, and F-1 Public High School programs), the SMG Canada High School Program, and the SMG Europe/UK Experience programs. SMG also owns and operates St. Thomas More School, an accredited boarding school in Connecticut, which offers its own Dual Diploma Program for international students and a Summer Camp program. These programs serve students ages 11-19 seeking cultural exchange experiences, with options ranging from short-term (3 months) to full academic years, and include support services such as host family placement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• St. Thomas More School (STM): SMG-owned accredited college preparatory boarding school located in Oakdale, Connecticut on a 100-acre campus, offering programs for grades 8-12 and postgraduate year.
• SMG Europe
• SMG Canada
• F-1 Private Choice Program
• F-1 Private Basic Program
• F-1 Public High School Program

Products and services

• F-1 Private Choice High School Program A flagship program allowing international students ages 13–19 to choose from over 90 top US private high schools, with boarding and day school options. Pricing ranges from $20,000–$80,000 USD depending on school selection, program length, and services included. Includes placement, F-1 visa support, host family matching, and ongoing student support. Programs available from 3 months to multi-year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 students successfully placed through F-1 Private High School Program over 20+ years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• International Student Exchange (ISE)coreOthersISE (International Student Exchange) is closely affiliated with SMG. CEO Wayne Brewer became CEO of ISE in 1997 and SMG was started in 2004 as an organization where international partners could pay invoices into one SMG bank account which was then dispersed into 4 organizations including ISE. The companies share leadership, marketing teams, and operations with James Mann overseeing marketing for both organizations.
• 30+ Canadian School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMG Canada partners with over 30 school districts across Canada offering diverse educational options from rural to urban settings. Includes districts in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and more. Districts offer semester, linear, IB, and French immersion programs.
• 90+ US Private High SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMG F-1 Private Choice Program partners with nearly 100 elite private high schools across the United States, from big cities like New York and Los Angeles to smaller cities like Green Bay. Schools offer AP classes, IB programs, STEM, arts, theater, music, and sports programs.
• 60+ US Public School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMG F-1 Public High School Program partners with over 60 public school districts throughout the US located near major cities including Miami, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, Orlando, Tacoma, and Seattle. Districts offer diverse sports, clubs, and advanced level classes.
• European Schools (UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMG Europe Program offers study opportunities in schools across UK, Ireland, Spain, France, and Italy including boarding schools. Students can pursue AP courses and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs with access to prestigious universities.
• International Partner Agencies (60+ Countries)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSMG has established relationships with hundreds of international partner agencies in over 60 countries worldwide. These agencies recruit students locally and provide support services. SMG provides marketing materials, training, and ongoing support to these partners.
• St. Thomas More School (Owned)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Thomas More School is an SMG-owned accredited college preparatory boarding school located in Oakdale, Connecticut. The school accepts international students and is the flagship owned program. STM provides a controlled environment for student exchange with dedicated faculty, individualized attention, small classes, and 100% boarding environment.
• Avon Maitland District School Board (Ontario)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured Canadian partner district offering quality educational experiences in Ontario
• Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District (BC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured Canadian partner district in British Columbia offering diverse programs
• Sooke School District (BC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured Canadian partner district in British Columbia
• Saskatoon Public School DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured Canadian partner district in Saskatchewan offering exceptional educational experience from kindergarten to Grade 12
• Coast Mountains School District (BC)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured Canadian partner district in British Columbia serving approximately 4,200 students in nineteen schools

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greenheart Exchange: Non-profit designated J-1 high school exchange organization placing international students in US high schools with host families, directly comparable to SMG's F-1 Public and F-1 Private programs.
• Nacel Open Door: International student exchange organization offering high school study abroad programs in the US and other countries with host family placement, competing directly with SMG's F-1 and J-1 programs.
• CAP (Cultural Academic Partnership) / AYP Affiliates: AYP (Academic Year in the USA Program) affiliated organizations were the original SMG financial clearing partners. Multiple AYP-designated sponsors operate similar F-1 high school exchange programs in the US.
• International Student Exchange (ISE): Closely affiliated organization under SMG's leadership; SMG's CEO Wayne Brewer also led ISE since 1997. Operates J-1 high school exchange programs with overlapping school networks and shared marketing.
• Aspect Foundation: Non-profit organization providing international high school exchange programs with host family placement in the US, similar scope and target market to SMG's F-1 programs.

Broad incumbents

• AFS Intercultural Programs: Global nonprofit offering high school exchange programs in dozens of countries. Comparable to SMG's international student placement model across multiple destinations.
• EF Education First: Large global education company offering high school study abroad, language programs, and academic exchanges. While much broader, EF competes directly with SMG in premium international high school placements.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): One of the largest US-based international educational exchange organizations, offering high school study abroad programs alongside university and work-travel exchanges. Comparable to SMG in serving international high school students.

Emerging players

• Edmonds International: International student placement and exchange program provider with comparable high school program offerings, including F-1 placement services and host family support in the US.

Regional players

• STS (Student Travel Schools): European-based high school exchange and language study provider operating primarily in Europe. Comparable to SMG Europe program offering boarding school placements with AP/IB options.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_VXMRjD7DmpxPl8ZWp-4JA
• Facebookfacebook.com/studywithsmg
• Instagraminstagram.com/studentmanagementgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/student-management-group

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Student Management Group, Inc.