HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMSExchangeMate USA is an International Education Organization specialized in High School Programs in the USA. We believe that a great school and family match is one of the keys to a successful high school experience and we strive to meet our students’ needs and expectations at all times.

ExchangeMate USA headquarters office in Orlando, FL handles the operations of all our programs in the United States. Our highly trained staff and local coordinators provide full support to international students in each city the program is operated. Our goal is to ensure that everyone receives a high quality education and experiences de American culture in a safe and loving environment throughout the semester or year in the United States.

PROGRAM DETAILS

The F-1 High School Program allows international students from all over the world to experience one or two semesters of High School in the United States while living with a host family. The American High School educational system comprises 4 grades of study, which are known as: Freshman (9th grade), Sophomore (10th grade), Junior (11th grade) and Senior (12th grade). Students will be placed in the appropriate grade upon arrival according to school academic history. Students can also plan on coming for their final year of High School in the United States and receive an American High School Diploma, which will help them gain acceptance in an American University or College of their choice.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Be between 14 and 18* years old • Have an intermediate level of English • Hold and maintain a passing grade point average • Provide academic transcripts of the last 3 years, including current year• Have not graduated from High School in their home country

*Check age requirement for each school district.

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ACCEPTANCE AND VISA INSURANCE & IMMUNIZATION

Once acceptance has been granted, the school district will issue the I-20 Form. Students must bring the I-20 Form along with personal and financial documents to the American Consulate/Embassy in their home countries in order to apply for the F-1 visa. Please note that international students can attend up to one year of High School under the F-1 visa in the Public School System. However the F-1 visa can be transferred to a private school or a college/university allowing students to continue their studies in the USA.

All international students are required to have full insurance coverage while in the program. ExchangeMate USA may offer comprehensive health insurance upon request.

Students must also have all vaccines required by the state where they are going to attend school. List of immunization requirements are provided on the Application form. ExchangeMate USA highly recommends students to take all missing vaccines in their home country. Students who arrive in the United States missing any shots will be requested to take them upon arrival. Vaccine fees can go from $100 up to $300 each. Please note that most international insurances will not cover physical exams for school, missing immunizations nor any other pre-existing condition.

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HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCEExchangeMate USA schools are selected based upon location, quality of academics and university acceptance rate as well as the variety of subjects, sports and activities offered. Students can choose to attend either 1 or 2 school semesters (5 to 10 months) in any of the following destinations in the USA:

Boise, ID - Boston, MA - Denver, CO - Orlando, FL - Ocala, FL - Miami, FL - Palm Bay, FL - Phoenix, AZ - Tacoma, WA

ExchangeMate USA also offers a unique MIX Program for students who want to come to the USA for the whole school year. This program allows students to come to Orlando for the first semester and then move to another ExchangeMate USA location for the second semester. That way you will have the opportunity to experience different parts of the country during your High School Experience.

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INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM

• High School Placement in selected schools • Paid host family accommodation with full board on the weekends and half board during the week • Guardianship Form • Tuition and mandatory school fees • Airport transfer on arrival and departure • Arrival Orientation in Orlando, FL• Welcome week orientation and activities • Year Pass for Universal Studios & Island of Adventures (Orlando students)• Day Pass for Island of Adventures (Students going to other locations)• Visa document (I-20) • ExchangeMate USA fulltime support and supervision during the program.

• SEVIS, Visa, and Passport fees • Compulsory physical, TB tests and other required immuniza-tions on arrival • Public transportation monthly pass • School lunches • School uniforms (if required) • Book fees and School supplies • Extra curricular activities and Optional Group Activities • Medical & Liability Insurance .

ESOL CLASSES

SPORTS AND EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The majority of high schools in all destinations offer international students the option of enrolling in ESOL classes at no extra charge. This additional program fulfills the English requirements for graduation for those students who have recently arrived in the United States and need extra help to improve their English skills. Students are placed by grade level and instruction is given based upon level of English proficiency with appropriate materials and strategies.

American schools offer a wide variety of sports and other extracurricular activities. ExchangeMate USA highly encourages international students to join sports teams, music classes, social clubs, theater and any other activities after school. This is a great way of socializing and making friends while improving your English.

Schools might also organize specific field trips and excursions throughout the year and students will have the option to participate as well. Some activities and sports are only available during certain seasons and additional fees may apply.

Students who wish to play sports will have to “try out” and school coaches will make the final decision. ExchangeMate USA does not guarantee the acceptance of students in any sport or other extracurricular activity. Students who wish to try out for sports will be required to do a physical exam with an American doctor.

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Host families are the most important part of the American High School experience. ExchangeMate USA carefully screens all families before placing students. Once the student application is submitted to ExchangeMate USA the placement process begins. Our staff will work on matching the student with a family who has similar interests, beliefs and life style.

Please note that American families come in many shapes and sizes and from various religious and ethnic backgrounds. We will do our best to provide the best possible match but we cannot guarantee any specific host family request. In some locations, families might be bilingual and speak both English and Spanish at home. This is a great opportunity for students to develop communication skills in both languages while in America.

All students will have their own private room. Double placement with a student from a different nationality is also a possibility and ExchangeMate USA will inform the student when the placement is confirmed. Host families provide half board during the week and full board on weekends and holidays. During weekday, students must buy their own lunch at school.

LIVING WITH A HOST FAMILY

WHAT DOES A HOST FAMILY PROVIDE

Every host family is different and they can range from a single parent to a mother and father with many children. Each family will have their own lifestyle, which often results in a variety of types and sizes of homes. However, students can expect the following

from all ExchangeMate USA host families:

• A fully furnished bedroom with storage space for clothes and personal belongings • A homework space • Breakfast and dinner at home during school days • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekends and holidays • Location no further than 45 minutes from school. This distance in often much shorter in the majority of locations but in big city areas 45 minutes is normal • All families are located in a safe neighborhood of the city • The student will be treated as member of the family, therefore will be included in all family outings and activities (Students should expect to pay their own costs when joining the families in such events)

BENEFITS OF LIVING WITH A HOST FAMILY

• Deeper immersion into the American culture and customs • Practice a foreign language with native speakers in their day-to-day lives • Safe environment with parental guidance and support • Eases cultural adjustment • First hand experience and a great way to meet new friends and get involved with activities outside of school

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TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES

WELCOME WEEK ORIENTATION & ACTIVITIES

All students are required to arrive a few days before school's official start date in order to attend ExchangeMate USA Welcome Week Orientation and Activities in Orlando, FL. Students will stay 3 days (2 nights) at a hotel in Orlando where they will attend arrival orientation, buys their cell phones and visit Island of Adventures Park. Students staying in Orlando will also have their compulsory medical exam for school and finalize their school registration during this first week. Students going to other locations will fly out and follow the same procedures at their final destinations. A detailed Welcome Week schedule will be sent with student's placement confirmation.

TRIPS & ACTIVITIES

ExchangeMate USA organizes optional field trips and activities throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for students to interact with other international students, exchange experiences, learn a little bit more about the American culture and visit new places. List of activities offered for each location will be sent with Student Placement Confirmation.

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