Policy 3090A2 - Foreign Exchange Students

Philosophy

 RISE Charter School believes that foreign exchange students add to the richness of the high school setting for both RISE Charter School and foreign students. Thus, RISE Charter School is willing to enroll 1 to 3 foreign exchange student per grade 9 through 12, subject to all applicable RISE Charter School enrollment and admission policies, Idaho law, and the Charter.

To protect the interests of the RISE Charter School and students, the RISE Charter School has adopted the following policies. It should be realized that foreign exchange students are educated at the expense of the taxpayers and the State of Idaho.

  1. The foreign exchange student must be 18 years of age or younger at the time of enrollment.
  2. The foreign exchange student must have sufficient knowledge of the English language to enable effective communication and to use instructional materials and textbooks printed in English.
  3. An English proficiency test of the RISE Charter School’s own choosing may be administered and will supersede all other tests;
  4. If an organization places a student who, upon arrival, is deemed by the School to be deficient in English language proficiency, the organization will do one of the following:
  5. Terminate the student’s placement; or 
  6. Provide, and pay for, tutorial help until the student reaches proficiency, as determined by the RISE Charter School.

Academic Standards and Graduation

  1. The foreign exchange student will be expected to meet all appropriate standards required of any student enrolled in the RISE Charter School; and
  2. Foreign exchange students shall not graduate and receive a diploma from the RISE Charter School. They may participate in the ceremonies and receive a certificate of attendance.

Orientation by the Exchange Organization

  1. Orientation, both pre-departure and upon arrival in the United States, must be provided to the exchange student.
  2. Orientation must also be provided to the host family in advance of the exchange student’s arrival. The family should be advised of potential problems in hosting an exchange student and provided with suggestions for coping with these problems.
  3. The student’s host family and the RISE Charter School must be provided written information which includes at least:

A.  The name, address, and phone number of both local and area coordinators for the exchange organization; and

B.  A 24-hour emergency telephone number for immediate assistance by the exchange organization.

Supervision

  1. The sponsoring foreign student exchange organization must assume the final responsibility for resolving problems, including, if necessary, the changing of host families or the early return home of the exchange student because of personal, family, or school difficulties.
  2. The sponsoring foreign student exchange organization must contact the exchange student and host family periodically throughout the exchange visit to ensure that problems are dealt with promptly and effectively.
  3. The host family must be available and willing to meet with school personnel when functions or conditions require it.

Charter School Expectations—Student Opportunities/Responsibilities

  1. Required Courses: Foreign exchange students will be expected to enroll in the following academic classes while attending the RISE Charter School:
    1. One English class;
    2. One United States history class or one government class; and
    3. Maintain enrollment in at least six classes.
  2. Athletic Program: Foreign exchange students may or may not be eligible to participate in the RISE Charter School High School Activities Program. Guidelines for participation are set by School policy and by the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA), as follows:

       A.  Recognition: The student must be a participant of an “official Foreign Exchange Program” as defined in the publication from the National Association of Secondary School Principals, entitled, “Advisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs”.

       B.  Graduation: The student cannot have graduated or received a diploma in his or her own country.

  3. Student Fees: Foreign exchange students are expected to pay all yearbook fees, lab fees, prom tickets, athletic fees, cap and gown fees, lunch[AH1] prices, and all other school incurred expenses that are expected of other students enrolled in the School.

   4. Achievement and Discipline: Foreign exchange students must maintain passing grades in all classes, follow the rules and regulations of the School’s student policies, and show satisfactory discipline and attendance. Failure to comply with these expectations shall result in dismissal of the student from the        School’s Foreign Exchange Program.

  5. Scholarship(s): The School will not include names of foreign exchange students in its formal class-rank listing based on cumulative grade point average, nor will foreign exchange students be eligible to apply for any local scholarship.

The fact that a foreign exchange organization has located a host family within the RISE Charter School’s primary attendance area does not imply the School will automatically enroll the student. While the organization may develop such an agreement with a host family, the family should be advised it is contingent upon admission to the School.

 

Legal References:       
20 U.S.C. § 221, et seq.       Foreign and Exchange Students
IDAPA 08.02.03.105.04         Foreign Exchange Students

Policy History:
Adopted on: June 14, 2021
Revised on: April 17, 2023
Reviewed on: April 17, 2023

 [AH1]Reference to School Meals Program