INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENT PROGRAM
The Board of Education recognizes that personal contact between students of different countries and cultures promotes global awareness and international understanding. The Vacaville Unified School District (VUSD) Board welcomes the enrollment of international exchange students and further encourages VUSD students to take any opportunities that they may have to participate in such programs and study in another country.
VUSD only accepts foreign exchange students on a J-1 Visa. A J-1 Visa student is an authorized exchange student who has come to the United States to study for a specific period of time under the sponsorship of a government approved agency. A maximum of two students shall be placed in the VUSD by any one sponsoring agency. A host family home visit shall be conducted by an Educational Services Department staff member prior to placement.
To enroll in a district school, a foreign exchange student must be participating in an exchange program registered with the California Attorney General's Office, listed on the Registry of International Student Exchange Visitor Placement Organizations (ISEVOP) and accepted for listing on the Council for Standards for International Educational Travel's Advisory List.
Once the agency application has been submitted to VUSD, the Director of Student Attendance and Welfare will determine the following: (a) if our District has a suitable program at the school the student has requested; (b) the student's English proficiency is sufficient for successful study at that school; and, (c) if space is available at the selected school. In addition, the student shall also submit evidence that he/she has been fully immunized in accordance with California law.
If approved: (a) student's placement must be for the entire school year (beginning of first semester to end of school year); (b) the application does not guarantee approval of requested classes - availability of classes will be determined by school administration; (c) student shall be eligible for participation in interscholastic sports in accordance with state bylaws of the California Interscholastic Federation, as well as applicable section bylaws; and, (d) student may be considered for a diploma if they have satisfactorily completed the district's graduation requirements.
Agency applications must be received no later than June 7, 2024 and must be accompanied with the placement agency's completed and approved application. Obtain the application for the 2024-2025 school year here.
For more information regarding the VUSD's International Exchange Student Program, please see BP 6145.6 and AR 6145.6.