JQK – Exchange Students

 Descriptor Code: JQK
Exchange Students

The attendance of foreign exchange students in schools is accepted as an educational opportunity for local schools and an expression of international goodwill by the School District.

Under the direction of the Superintendent, the following administration procedures will be followed regarding the foreign exchange program.

1. A foreign exchange student will be defined as a student who possesses a J-1 Visa issued by the U.S. State Department and who requests authorization for enrollment in the School District through a foreign exchange program currently certified by the Council of Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).
2. Students eligible for the foreign exchange program must not have completed the final year of high school as organized in their home country, possess a valid J-1 Visa and be allowed unrestricted entry into the United States by the U.S. State Department and the Transportation Security Administration (TAS).
3. The foreign exchange student must be between 15 years of age and 18 years of age on or before September 1 of the school year that the student is to be enrolled.
4. The host family and the certified exchange program of the foreign exchange student will provide evidence of legal placement of the student with the host family including the permission of parents or guardians to do so. The host family will act as guardians for the student in all matters including educational decisions.
5. Foreign exchange students must be classified as high school students (grades 9-12). Students in grades K through 8 are prohibited from enrolling as foreign exchange students. Foreign exchange students may not enroll in publicly-funded Adult Education classes. (U.S. Department of State rule).
6. The Principal of the high school will certify and approve any student applying for admission to that school. Enrollment may be denied a foreign exchange student if the school is already over-enrolled as per the critical over-crowding formula.
7.  The School District reserves the right to limit the number of foreign exchange students placed in high schools to a maximum of five (5) students and/or suspend acceptance based upon declaration of a State or National emergency.
8. Foreign exchange students must be involved in a full semester program or a full year program. In no cases will a foreign exchange student be enrolled for more than one school year. All foreign exchange students must abide by any rules and regulations that apply to all students in the School District, including the requirement that the foreign exchange student attend the school that is in the zone assigned to the address of the host family.
9.  All foreign exchange students who wish to enter the School District are eligible to participate in all federally-funded programs and activities. No student will be refused participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
10. Foreign exchange students will not qualify for graduation from the School District. Parents/guardians must acknowledge in writing that they understand a diploma will not be awarded. They may be recognized at a graduation ceremony but will neither march nor participate as a graduating senior.
11. Any foreign exchange student who wishes to participate in organized athletics in any secondary school must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Georgia High School Association.

ADOPTED: April 18, 2002      REVISED: July 16, 2020