CHAPTER 5.00 - STUDENTS

5.39 Foreign Exchange Students

POLICY:

I. The School Board recognizes the positive cultural benefits to the students, staff, and the community in meeting students from other countries and having nonimmigrant  students with citizenship in countries other than the United States as members of the student body of the District. A foreign exchange student may be enrolled in a Dixie County school provided that the student: 

A. Is sponsored by a program listed with and approved by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). The representatives from the approved Foreign Exchange Student Program must secure written acceptance  from the Student Services department prior to placement and enrollment in the District schools. 

B. Is at least fifteen (15) years or age but has not attained the age of eighteen and one/half (18 ½) years of age at the time of enrollment. Proof of age must be documented by a birth certificate or passport. 

C. Agencies must arrange for host family placements with an American host family  that resides in the county and has been approved by the sponsoring program prior to the student leaving their home country. Exchange students must be  enrolled and start attending classes no later than the first day of the first  semester each year for full-year placements and the first day of the second semester each year for second-semester placements. 

D. Shall gain legal entry into the United States with a J-1 Exchange Visa required INS documents, and present to the documents required by all students. 

E. The Foreign Exchange Program must certify that financial resources are sufficient to cover all expenses for the student, including funds to cover school  lunches. 

F. Provides an academic transcript from the home school with English translation.

G. Provides evidence of sufficient English proficiency to function successfully in the academic level in which he/she is enrolled. 

H. Meets immunization requirements in accordance with Florida statutes. 

I. Has health, accident and liability insurance coverage that is valid in the United States. 

II. A student shall be enrolled for a minimum of one (1) semester or a complete a school year (two semesters). 

III. The student shall be subject to the Code of Student Conduct. 

IV. Eligibility for participation in athletics shall be consistent with Florida High School Athletic Association and School Board rules. 

V. The Superintendent or designee shall approve the admission of each foreign exchange student. 

VI. The Superintendent shall develop procedures for implementing the foreign exchange student program. 

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 1001.41; 1001.42, F.S. 8 C.F.R. 214 et seq., 9 U.S.C. 1101 (Immigration Reform and Control Act) 

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 1001.43, 1006.07

History: Adopted: October 14, 2025 (New) 

Revision Date(s): 

Formerly: