Policy Number: 3150
Date: May 16th, 2023
Foreign Exchange Students Policy
Table of Contents
Purpose
This policy is to provide guidance to American Leadership Academy in working with exchange student agencies and accepting foreign exchange students to provide for safety and fairness to the exchange students and Utah public school students.
Permissive & Mandatory Enrollment of Foreign Exchange Students
The school may enroll foreign exchange students that do not qualify for state monies and pay for the costs of those students with other funds available to the school or charge tuition to those students.
Notwithstanding the cap in Utah Code 53F-2-303(3)(a) on including foreign exchange students in the school’s membership and attendance, the school shall enroll a foreign exchange student if the foreign exchange student:
1. Is sponsored by an agency approved by the State Board of Education;
2. Attends the same school during the same time period that another student from the school is;
3. Sponsored by the same agency; and
4. Enrolled in a school in a foreign country; and
5. Is enrolled in the school for one year or less.
Requirements
Prior to enrolling students through an approved foreign exchange student agency, the school shall require the agency to provide a sworn affidavit of compliance, which shall be maintained by the school. The affidavit shall include the confirmation that the agency:
1. Is in compliance with all applicable policies of the board;
2. Has completed a household study, including a background check of all adult residents consistent with Utah Code 53E-6-40a, has been made of each household where an exchange student is to reside;
3. Has reviewed the information reviewed through the background checks required by the foregoing paragraph with an appropriate school official;
4. Has completed a background study to assure that the exchange student will receive proper care and supervision in a safe environment;
5. Has provided host parents with training appropriate to their positions, including information about enhanced criminal penalties under Utah Code 76-5-406(2) for persons who are in a position of special trust;
6. Will send a representative to visit each student’s place of residence at least monthly during the student’s stay in Utah;
7. Will cooperate with school and other public authorities to ensure that no exchange student becomes an unreasonable burden upon the public schools or other public agencies;
8. Will give each exchange student, in the exchange student’s native language, names and telephone numbers of agency representatives and others who could be called at any time if a serious problem occurs; and
9. Will provide alternate placements so that no student is required to remain in a household if conditions appear to exist which unreasonably endanger the student's welfare.
The school shall provide the approved exchange student agency sponsoring a foreign exchange student with a list of names and telephone numbers of individuals not associated with the agency who could be called by an exchange student in the event of a serious problem. The agency shall make a copy of the list available to each of its exchange students in the exchange student’s native language.
The school shall include foreign exchange students in school membership and attendance counts to the extent permitted by Utah Code § 53F-2-303.
Admission of Foreign Exchange Students
Foreign Exchange Students (J-1 visa status)
1. American Leadership Academy shall enroll foreign exchange students on a first come first serve basis. With an acceptance/enrollment deadline of July 15th prior to the school year in which they wish to enroll unless a date extension is received from the Director.
2. American Leadership Academy may enroll students who do not meet the enrollment deadline and qualify for state monies and pay for the costs of students with other charter school funds or charge tuition which is at least equal to the per capita cost of the school program. (R277-613-3)
3. Foreign Exchange students shall not be allowed to enroll if they have already graduated in their home country.
4. Students shall provide records that allow proper grade placement. These shall include:
a. Demonstrated English language proficiency;
b. Courses completed;
c. Grades earned;
d. Recommendations from teachers(s) or principal;
e. Health records/immunizations; and
f. Copy of completed agency application for foreign exchange students.
5. Students shall complete a tuberculin (TB) skin test within six (6) months of enrollment.
6. Students may earn a certificate of completion indicating courses taken.
7. Foreign exchange students desiring a high school diploma must meet all American Leadership Academy graduation requirements and submit requests to the Director by February 1st of that school year.
8. Students are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
a. If tutoring is required to help a student succeed, any costs must be the responsibility of the host family or agency.
b. Students are not eligible for English as a Second Language, Special Education programs, or remedial programs.
c. Those not meeting these expectations will be referred back to the sponsoring agency or individual to return home.
9. Students shall not be allowed to enroll in Driver Education.
10. Students shall pay all appropriate school fees and participation fees and are not eligible for fee waivers.
11. Foreign exchange students involved in Utah High School Activities Association sanctioned events must meet all UHSSA eligibility requirements.
Foreign Students (F-1 visa status)
1. American Leadership Academy shall enroll privately placed foreign students on a first come first serve basis. With an acceptance/enrollment deadline of July 15th prior to the school year in which they wish to enroll unless a date extension is received from the Director.
2. The illegal immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 limits F-1 student’s attendance to a cumulative total of twelve (12) months in public secondary schools (grade 9-12).
3. Students must pay tuition in advance, along with showing proof of insurance, immunization, and Power of Attorney paper work being completed.
4. Students shall complete an application to obtain an I-20 form as required by The Immigration and Naturalization Service in order to receive the F-1 student visa:
a. Foreign students shall not be allowed to enroll if they have already graduated in their home country.
b. Students shall provide records that allow proper grade placement. These shall include:
c. Demonstrated English language proficiency;
d. Courses completed;
e. Grades earned;
f. Recommendations from teacher(s) or principal;
g. Health records/immunizations; and
h. Copy of completed agency application for foreign exchange students.
5. Students shall complete a tuberculin (TB) skin test within six (6) months of enrollment.
6. Students may earn a certificate of completion indicating courses taken.
7. Foreign students desiring a high school diploma must meet all American Leadership Academy graduation requirements and submit requests to the Director by February 1st of that school year.
8. Students are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
a. If tutoring is required to help a student succeed, any costs must be the responsibility of the host family or agency.
b. Students are not eligible for English as a Second Language, Special Education programs or remedial programs.
c. Those not meeting these expectations will be referred back to the sponsoring agency or individual to return home.
9. Students shall not be allowed to enroll in Driver Education.
10. Students shall pay all appropriate school fees and participation fees and are not eligible for fee waivers.
11. Foreign students involved in Utah High School Activities Association sanctioned events must meet all UHSSA eligibility requirements.
References