Middletown Public Schools                                                                                     No. 6140

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

 

PURPOSE:

            The purpose of the District’s Foreign Exchange Student Program shall be to provide for an opportunity, within the school environment, to exchange social, cultural and personal knowledge, beliefs, understanding and experiences between students of the Town of Middletown and those of foreign countries who seek and appropriately qualify to enroll in a foreign exchange student program in the state of Rhode Island, Town of Middletown.

POLICY STATEMENT:

            In recognition of the ever changing composition of the American society, the increasing travel and business dealings between the nations of the world, and the constantly growing need for increased knowledge and understanding of those with whom we must live, work and deal, the Middletown School Committee encourages community and school participation in foreign exchange student educational opportunities as a means of fostering improved relations and understanding.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

            In order to be accepted into the Middletown Public Schools, all foreign exchange students must meet the following initial eligibility criteria.  Each desiring entrant must possess a level of English proficiency consistent with demands of the regular academic program.  The Middletown Public Schools will not be responsible for providing supportive services if the student experiences academic/social difficulties.  The sponsoring agency or host parents must provide the necessary assistance and submit all documents and translation of same to the high school administration no later than August 15 of the year of student’s desired entry so that the necessary approvals may be obtained and correct student placement be determined.

A.  Foreign Exchange Students

A foreign exchange student living with a Middletown resident may be permitted to attend Middletown High School tuition free provided that the following criteria are met:

1.      Custody of the student must be approved by the immigration authorities according to law.

2.      The Department of Homeland Security regulation requires that all initial or beginning students enter the United States 30 days or less in advance of their course of study start date.

3.      The exchange student must be sponsored by a United States accredited agency listed in the “Advisory List” produced by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (http://www.csiet.org/publications-resources/publications/listed-programs.html) and endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.  The following is quoted from the introduction of “The Advisory List”:  “The Office of Youth Exchange of the United States Information Agency believes this list provides the best information on many of the quality programs available to young people interested in travel and study abroad.”

4.      The agency sponsoring the student(s) will provide all required student visas and documentation to the receiving school.

5.      The student is not older than 18 and has not already graduated from a secondary school equivalent to a high school.

6.      Final approval is determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

7.      The student may not remain more than one year.

 

B.  Visiting Foreign Students

Students visiting from a foreign country may be permitted to attend Middletown High School, tuition free, providing the following criteria are met:

1.      The student resides in Middletown.

2.      The student be a family member of the Foreign Officers War College Program.

3.      The student is not older than 18 and has not already graduated from a secondary school equivalent to a high school.

4.      The student may not remain more than one year.

 

C.  Privately Sponsored Foreign Exchange Students

Any privately sponsored foreign exchange student must comply with the rule governing such students as stated above, but will be required to pay tuition.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

            In addition to the applicable expectations as established above, all foreign students will be subject to the following:

A.  Only exchange students who are eligible for placement into high school will be accepted.

B.  No more than three exchange students will be accepted into the school district in any one academic year.

C.  Exchange students will be allowed to attend Middletown High School for one year only.

D.  An exchange student’s GPA will not be figured in the school’s official rank in class.

E.  An exchange student may not receive any official honor which would displace a regularly enrolled student from receiving such honor (excluding All State athletic recognition)

F.  An exchange student may receive a diploma at graduation exercises if he/she meets all academic requirements as established by Middletown High School and the R.I. Board of Regents.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

            All interested students must submit applications to the Office of Superintendent of Schools.  The student’s application shall be referred to the Assistant Superintendent for assessment of compliance with all other required educational expectations.

            A recommendation to the Superintendent from the Assistant Superintendent, with the endorsement of the high school principal, will establish eligibility for authorization for enrollment subject to final approval of the Superintendent of Schools with notice of said approval copied to the Middletown School Committee.

 

 

First Reading - July 21, 2011

Second Reading and Approval - August 9, 2011