Foreign Exchange Student Department

Seminole County Public Schools

Foreign Exchange Student Department

Procedural Guidelines

Minnie Cardona, DirectorRebecca Morales, Executive Secretary

Phone: 407.320.0200 Phone: 407.320.0202

Email:

Procedural Guidelines:

1.Have all the required documents before making your appointment and two sets of the information packet, one original for the school and one copy for our office of the required material. You can make an appointment by calling our office at 407-320-0202.

Please note:We will meet with the representatives of accepted international agencies, as listed in the latest version of: CSIET AdvisoryList of International EducationTravel & ExchangePrograms. Do not send host family members to initiate the registration process.

Seminole County Public Schools does not issue I-20 Visas.

2. As per the SCPS Board policy the sponsoring agency shall comply with the following criteria by July 27, 2018to Seminole County Public Schoolsthe ESOL/World Languages/Foreign Exchange Student Dept.

Required registrationdocumentsare:

a)Host family written documentation of interview and home visit, signed and dated by the representative.

b)Written evidence of English proficiency of the student on a recognized language assessment test (ELTIS), and the score must be at least a 232 score. ELTIS is an English Language Test for international students designed to measure English Language Proficiency.

c)Signed verification of student’s age.

d)Statement indicating the students will be in attendance the full academic school year.

e)Statement stating the student has not completed requirements for graduation, received a diploma or degree from high school in their country.

1. Note: Foreign exchange students are not eligible for a high school diploma.

f)Student’s school transcripts translated into English.

g)Original FloridaCertificate of Immunization (HRSblue immunization formDH 680).

h)Originalphysical exam, showing the results of at least three components, performedin the United States, dated and signed by a licensed physician within one year of entry date to SCPS.

i)Proof of appropriate insurance coverage.

j)J-1 Visa andPassport or Birth Certificate(J-1 Visa can be brought to us when the student arrives). Students must be 17 years or younger. SCPS will not accept seniors.

Please Note:After theSCPS district office for Foreign Exchange Students has received and approved all the required documents, the district registration form will be signed and the foreign exchange representative or host family will be able to pick up the student’s folder andcontinue with the registration of the foreign exchange student at the assigned high school. Representative’s or host families can’t register the student at the school without the final approval from the Foreign Exchange Department.

3. Please do not send fax copies to us. Most fax copies are not clear, especially if you are faxing us your copies.

4. If a student withdraws from Seminole County before the end of the school year, please notify our office with the date andreason for the withdrawal.

5. If a student transfers from one host family to another, please notify us and send the new host family information to our office (as per #2.aas stated above).

6. Please be prepared with all the necessary paperwork so our visiting students will not be delayed in entering our schoolsystem.

7. Please note the principal shall approve or deny student attendance based upon recommendation of the director of foreign exchange service and acceptance of student criteria by July 27, 2018. Approval shall also be based on space available. So register early.

8. Foreign exchange student will attend the yearly World Languages Festival. This is a great opportunity for the students to share information about their country. 2019 World Languages Festival is on Saturday, February 23, 2019 8:00 AM-3:00 PM. Location will be forthcoming.

9. Foreign exchange students that would like to participate in a sport will need a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.0 or higher, a birth certificate and grades going back to 8th grade. Transcripts must be in English.

We hope you have found this information helpful. Our officeis always available to answer any questions you may have.Above all, we want our exchange students to feel welcome and have a good experience in the United States.

Sincerely,

Minnie Cardona

Director

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