Foreign Exchange Student Guidelines
Purpose
The AFHSD recognizes the educational value of international cultural exchange programs and may admit qualified foreign exchange students when such admission is consistent with District resources, educational objectives, and applicable law.
Admission of foreign exchange students is a privilege, not a right, and shall be subject to District approval and established procedures.
Definitions
Foreign Exchange Student means a nonresident student participating in a temporary educational and cultural exchange program sponsored by an approved exchange organization.
Approved Exchange Organization means an organization designated by the United States Department of State and listed on the current Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) Advisory List.
Eligibility
The District may admit foreign exchange students who:
- Are participating in a recognized exchange program for a time period of one year.
- Possess a valid J-1 visa authorizing school attendance.
- Are under eighteen (18) years of age at the time of enrollment.
- Have not graduated from a secondary school in their home country.
- Designated as an 11th or 12th grade student.
- Demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to participate successfully in District coursework.
- Reside with a host family located within District and Host family attendance boundaries.
- Meet all state and District health and immunization requirements.
The District reserves the right to deny admission when enrollment, staffing, program capacity, student needs, or other operational considerations warrant.
Approved Sponsoring Organizations
Only exchange students sponsored through organizations that:
- Are designated by the U.S. Department of State;
- Maintain current CSIET approval; and
- Comply with all federal and state requirements shall be eligible for admission consideration.
Enrollment Limits & Application Process
Each school within the AFHSD is limited to 3 foreign exchange students. The initial application must be sent to the district office. The district office will work with each school principal to determine acceptance. Students will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
Academic Placement
The District shall determine grade placement, course enrollment, credit recognition, and scheduling based upon:
- Prior and translated academic records
- English proficiency
- Graduation requirements
- Space availability
- Educational appropriateness.
The District's determination shall be final.
Graduation and Diplomas
Foreign exchange students shall not be presumed eligible for graduation or a District diploma.
Foreign exchange students may participate in graduation activities and be recognized at the graduation ceremony. Foreign exchange students will not receive a diploma unless all AFHSD graduation requirements are met.
Students that participate in senior activities will follow the senior end of year schedule.
Athletics and Activities
Foreign exchange students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities to include clubs and athletics.
Participation in athletics and extracurricular activities shall be governed by District policies and the eligibility requirements of the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) and other applicable organizations. To be eligible to participate in athletics, the host family must live within the home schools boundary. Out of boundary students will not be eligible to participate.
Tuition
The Governing Board may waive tuition for qualifying exchange students as authorized by Arizona law.
District Responsibility
The District assumes no responsibility for:
- Housing arrangements;
- Transportation outside regular District services;
- Medical expenses;
- Travel expenses;
- Personal expenses; or
- Financial obligations incurred by the student or host family.