Foreign Exchange Program Guidelines

Foreign exchange programs are an important part of the school experience for both the foreign student and the host community. Programs should provide a cultural experience for both the foreign student and the community. The Decatur ISD foreign exchange program provides students from other countries the opportunity to learn about the United States, become more fluent in both the written and spoken English language, and have an engaging experience in the school system.. In order to protect the interests of our patrons, students and to ensure the integrity of the foreign exchange program, Decatur ISD has established the guidelines set forth in this manual. 

The guidelines apply to not-for-profit programs involving a one-year home stay experience for high school students from foreign countries coming to the United States and this community. All foreign exchange programs requesting participation in Decatur ISD will be considered, providing the standards set-forth in this manual are upheld. 

Foreign Exchange Program Standards

Foreign Exchange Organizations

• The foreign exchange organization must provide Decatur ISD with a full transcript of immunizations in English, including the month/date/year of all immunizations. 

• The foreign exchange organization must provide Decatur ISD a copy of the student’s high school transcript in English. 

• Placements will be made on a first come, first served basis. The foreign exchange organization representative may contact the campus registrar after applications open in the summer to inquire whether any openings are available and if so, begin the placement process. 

• The foreign exchange organization is expected to maintain continuous personal contact with each of its students, the host family and the high school in which the student is enrolled. 

• The foreign exchange organization shall initiate action to resolve any problems that may arise with respect to the student’s participation in his or her academic program or with respect to the student’s relationship with his or her host family. 

Host Families

• Host families must be residents of the accepting high school’s attendance zone. 

• Host families must provide proof of residency in the form of a current (within the last 30 days) electric bill, gas bill, water bill or lease agreement. 

• In the event that the host family moves out of Decatur ISD during the school year, the foreign exchange organization must contact the campus registrar to be permitted to complete the school year at the original school. In this case, transportation is the responsibility of the host family. 

Foreign Exchange Students

• Foreign exchange students will only be accepted for one academic calendar year.

• The foreign exchange student must have been enrolled in high school in his or her home country the semester preceding the exchange. 

• No exchange student who has completed the equivalent of the 12th grade in his or her home country, has received a diploma or certificate of graduation or is considered eligible for college or university placement will be eligible to attend Decatur High School.

• Foreign exchange students are not eligible to earn a diploma from Decatur High School. Students will be required to sign a waiver of their intention to pursue a Texas high school diploma. 

• Foreign exchange students will be enrolled as 11th graders.

• Foreign Exchange Students will be enrolled in a total of 8 courses, comprised of English 3, Math (Geometry, Algebra 2, or an approved upper level math course), World History, and Science (Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems, or an approved upper level science course), plus their choice of 4 elective courses. 

• Foreign exchange students are subject to Decatur ISD attendance and discipline policies and are expected to participate fully in their classes, including the taking of tests. 

• Foreign exchange students will take a full course load typical of any other Decatur ISD student.

• Foreign exchange students’ enrollment in elective courses is contingent upon space in the desired course.  

• Foreign exchange students will not be placed in the class ranking.

• Foreign exchange students shall not participate in work-based programs. 

• Foreign exchange students wishing to participate in athletics, fine arts and other activities/competitions governed by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) must submit to the UIL rules and regulations governing participation. Participation is not conveyed with high school placement. Coaches and sponsors of extracurricular and cocurricular activities will be responsible for checking and obtaining proper credentials for participation in each activity. 

• Foreign exchange students are not eligible to receive free or reduced meals as part of the foreign exchange program. 

Decatur High School
750 E Eagle Summit Dr
Decatur, TX 76234

Phone: (940) 393-7200
Fax: (940) 626-4520