The purpose of this pilot study was to explore families of international adoption experiences within the schools. Qualitative methodology and grounded theory procedures were used to analyze data collected from semi-structured interviews conducted with three mothers who had adopted 8 children from orphanages in China. The concept of lack of "structural support within" schools emerged as the central organizing theme emblematic of mothers' experiences as they each struggled to obtain supportive educational environments for their post-institutional children. Implications for school counseling practices are discussed.