Guidelines for (F-1) Foreign Exchange Student Registration

(Sponsoring agencies must follow these detailed guidelines)

A “F-1 foreign exchange student” means a foreign national secondary student who has entered the United States, for ONE YEAR, for a cultural and educational experience in a public school, and whose placement is approved by the Canyons School District Board of Education.

F-1 foreign exchange students must be placed by a Canyons School District (CSD) approved exchange program agency or by a Canyons School District Principal Designated School Official (PDSO). For application, all agencies must: be certified through the Council on Standards for International Education Travel (CSIET), and agencies must also complete the CSD required sworn affidavit of assurances as prescribed in state law. The deadline for application must be submitted to the Department of Admission/Student Enrollment by May 15.

Canyons School District will determine annually how many F-1 foreign exchange students may be accepted based on availability of space and legislative resources. No more than 5 foreign exchange F-1 students may be placed in any one of Canyons high schools at any one time. Student applications from approved agencies are to be submitted to the Department of Admission/Student Enrollment prior to May 15; however, the district may reach its quota before May 15.

F-1 Foreign Exchange Students:

• Will only be accepted for a full school year. No half year students will be accepted at any of Canyons secondary schools.
• Will only be accepted for grades 9-11.
• Must live with a responsible host family who is a resident with-in the school’s boundary. Open Enrollment permits are not allowed for F-1 students unless the host family’s student is attending the same school on permit.
• Must be fluent in, and able to read, write, speak, and understand English. English Teacher recommendation letter is mandatory.
• Must maintain a C average (2.0) in all classes and attend school on a regular basis (90% attendance or better).
• Will be at the grade level, in which they would be placed had they not left their country, i.e., if they were entering the eleventh grade in their country, they would be placed in the eleventh grade in Canyons School District.
• Who have previously graduated from high school or equivalent, or whose class has graduated, will not be eligible for enrollment.
• Must be between the ages of 14-17 years of age as of September 1 of the year enrollment is sought.
• Who are older than seventeen (17) years of age as of September 1 of their program start date will not be eligible for enrollment as a F-1 foreign exchange student in Canyons School District.
• Are required to pay the full per capita cost to attend Canyons School District in addition to school registration fees and other fees for activities they choose to engage in.
• May not take drivers education classes.
• Do not qualify for a High School Diploma.
• Who wish to participate in UHSAA athletics must meet district, state, and UHSAA eligibility requirements.
• Are not eligible for Home and Hospital Services, Home School, Canyons Virtual High School, Online Courses, CTEC, and/or Dual Enrollment.
• May not be employed on either a full or part-time basis.
• F-1 students will not be placed on an Open Enrollment Permit unless the host family’s student(s) are attending a school outside of their resident boundary.

F-1 Student Placement and Acceptance

Placement: All F-1 foreign exchange students must be approved for enrollment through the Canyons School District Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment prior to registration. Agency Representatives should contact the Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment for placement of F-1 Foreign Exchange Students.

The following paperwork is required and must be received before Canyons School District will sign and/or approve a F-1 foreign exchange student Acceptance Form.
Outside agencies representing F-1 students must contact Canyons School District’s Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment for specific details.

Student Information and documents required:

• Student application and packet
• Teacher recommendation certifying student’s English proficiency
• A copy of the student’s birth certificate (or passport)
• Transcripts of credit/school records/grades in English
• Immunization Record completed in English
  •  DTP, DTaP, DT, or Td
  • Tdap booster
  • Varicella (chicken Pox)
  • Polio
  • MMR
  • Meningococcal
  • Hep B
  • Hep A

Upon the arrival of the approved student, student, host parents and/or Agency Representatives must provide the following additional documentation to the Department:

• Proof of student insurance coverage (for the duration of the student’s stay)
• Copy of the student’s Passport and VISA
• TB Test: A student must verify that a TB Test has been completed no more than 12 months prior arriving in the United States or a TB test can be completed upon arrival through the Salt Lake County Health Department

The Foreign Student Permit to Enroll will be issued for enrollment to Canyons School District high schools after these documents have been received.
Host Family Changes: During the school year, some students may change host families due to unforeseen circumstances. Students who must change host family arrangements will need to have the approval of the agency representative that sponsors them, and/or acknowledgement and approval from the Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment. The host family and agency representatives must notify the Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment, and provide a new completed Host Family Agreement along with a New School Acceptance Form. Once this is received and signed by the Department of Admissions/Student Enrolllment, Canyons School District will issue a Foreign Student Permit to Enroll to the new host parent, who will then provide a copy of the form to the boundary school where the new host parent and student reside.
Additionally, the failure of any Agency Representative to comply with the conditions set forth in these guidelines as well as the Agency Assurance Form, CSIET Regulations, U.S. Department of State guidelines and policies, State of Utah guidelines and policies and/or Immigration law may result in Canyons School District’s refusal to accept future F-1 student placements from that agency.

The Foreign Student Permit to Enroll will be issued for enrollment to Canyons School District high schools after these documents have been received.

Host Family Changes: During the school year, some students may change host families due to unforeseen circumstances. Students who must change host family arrangements will need to have the approval of the agency representative that sponsors them, and/or acknowledgement and approval from the Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment. The host family and agency representatives must notify the Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment, and provide a new completed Host Family Agreement along with a New School Acceptance Form. Once this is received and signed by the Department of Admissions/Student Enrollment, Canyons School District will issue a Foreign Student Permit to Enroll to the new host parent, who will then provide a copy of the form to the boundary school where the new host parent and student reside.

Additionally, the failure of any Agency Representative to comply with the conditions set forth in these guidelines as well as the Agency Assurance Form, CSIET Regulations, U.S. Department of State guidelines and policies, State of Utah guidelines and policies and/or Immigration law may result in Canyons School District’s refusal to accept future F-1 student placements from that agency.