Foreign Exchange

Modesto City Schools accepts students with a J-1 Visa to participate as a foreign exchange student when space is available. Each year, the District updates the approved foreign exchange student organizations. Approval is based on whether the organization has a Federal Charter Number, meets criteria established by the United States Information Agency (USIA) and if the organization is registered with the State of California Attorney General’s Office. A list of registered agencies is available on the Attorney General’s website.

Foreign exchange students must pursue a full course of study for one academic school year. Students who have completed more than eleven years of primary and secondary study, exclusive of kindergarten, are not eligible. Students must be at least 15 years of age, but no more than 18 years and six months of age, at the time of initial school enrollment. Students applying to participate as a foreign exchange student must demonstrate motivation, good character, and scholastic aptitude.

Foreign exchange program sponsors must secure prior written acceptance for enrollment of the student from the Modesto City Schools Senor Director of Educational Services. After approval from the Senior Director, the application will be forwarded to the high school principal for approval. Program sponsors shall submit to the school a written English language summary of the student’s complete academic course work prior to commencement of school. Under no circumstance shall a sponsor facilitate a student's entry into the United States without a secure school placement. Program sponsors shall not facilitate the enrollment of more than five students in one school unless the school has requested, in writing, the placement of more than five students. Program sponsors must ensure that participants possess sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in the program.

Foreign exchange students are placed in regular academic courses at one of the comprehensive high schools. All foreign exchange students must have immunizations required for school entry. Foreign exchange students may be eligible for an honorary diploma.

Danielle Hinkle
Senior Director, School Leadership
Hinkle.D@mcs4kids.com
(209) 574-1600