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Foreign Exchange Program

Foreign Exchange Program

Program Overview

Liberty Hill ISD is proud to offer a limited number of international students the opportunity to experience life and learning in our vibrant and growing school district. Through our Foreign Exchange Program, students from around the world can immerse themselves in a full academic year of American education, build meaningful connections with peers and families, and strengthen their English language skills in a supportive and engaging environment.

We believe these cultural exchanges enrich our campuses and help build champions in academics, character, and community — both here and abroad.

Note: Students are encouraged to have a proficient level of English to fully enjoy and benefit from their exchange year.

 

 

Program Capacity

Due to rapid district growth, LHISD has received a waiver from the Texas Education Agency to limit high school foreign exchange enrollment to five students per year. If a student leaves or is withdrawn, their spot will not be replaced during that school year.

 

 

Contact:
Sarina Johnson
📞 (512) 260-5560 ext. 1035
📧 Email Sarina Here

Representatives may contact the LHISD Central Office for application questions or host family attendance zone information. Do not contact campuses directly before district approval.

LHISD Foreign Exchange Program Information

 

Application Guidelines

The following guidelines have been developed to assist nationally recognized foreign exchange organizations, foreign exchange students, and host families regarding the requirements and expectations for application, acceptance, and participation as a Foreign Exchange Student in Liberty Hill ISD.

  • The application window will open on February 1st and close on March 31st. 

Once all completed applications are submitted to the Liberty Hill ISD Administration Office, the applications will be reviewed and five will be selected based on a first-come, first-served basis. If all five spots are filled before the March 31st closing window, Liberty Hill ISD will close the application process. All Agencies will be notified no later than the second week of April if the student has been accepted or denied.  

Representatives of foreign exchange organizations are encouraged to contact Liberty Hill central office regarding questions about the application process, identification of the potential host family’s attendance zone, or any other issues about the foreign exchange program.

Representatives of foreign exchange organizations should not make contact with individual campuses before approval by the District’s Foreign Exchange Administrator.  If you have additional questions, please contact Sarina Johnson at the information above.

Requirements for Acceptance

  1. The agency must be listed in the latest CSIET Advisory List.

  2. Application and all required documentation must be submitted by March 31.

  3. The host family must live within LHISD boundaries. Misrepresentation of the address will result in student withdrawal.

  4. School placement is determined by LHISD; host families may need to arrange student transportation.

Required Translations (in English):

  • Immunization record (MM/DD/YYYY format) — [See required immunizations]

  • Official transcript or academic records

  • Completed application for admission

FAQs

  • Applications are accepted from February 1 through March 31 or until five approved applications have been received, whichever comes first.

  • Due to growth in the district, only five foreign exchange students are accepted per school year at the high school level.

  • Yes. All agencies will receive notification of acceptance or denial no later than the second week of April.

  • No. Agencies must contact the LHISD Central Office. Do not reach out to individual campuses before approval from the district’s Foreign Exchange Administrator.

  • Yes. The host family must reside in Liberty Hill ISD. If a false address is provided, the student will be withdrawn immediately.

  • No. LHISD only accepts full-year placements. Students are expected to participate for the entire school year.

  • The following must be translated into English and submitted with the application:

    • Immunization records (month/day/year format)

    • Official school transcripts or records

    • Application for admission

  • The host family is responsible for enrolling the student. Representatives from the foreign exchange agency cannot enroll students.

  • No. Only courses taken at LHISD will appear on the LHISD transcript, along with any applicable End-of-Course (EOC) exam results.

  • Yes, but they must meet UIL eligibility guidelines. Students participating in athletics must also submit a valid physical exam form.

  • Yes. Students are expected to participate in all state-mandated assessments. If the student qualifies as an English Language Learner (ELL), accommodations may apply per state policy.

  • Any fees associated with records or forms required by the student’s home country or agency are the responsibility of the foreign exchange student.

Requirements and Terms for Approval of Foreign Exchange Students

Liberty Hill ISD will accept up to five Foreign Exchange Students per year, dependent on the Agency and Student completing the requirements listed below:

  • All foreign exchange organizations shall meet the requirements of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). The District will consider foreign exchange students from agencies listed in the most current issue of The Advisory List published by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). Programs in violation of District guidelines may be excluded from consideration.
  • Application forms and all required documentation must be received by March 31st of each year, by the close of the business day. 
  • The host family must reside in Liberty Hill Independent School District. A foreign exchange student will be withdrawn immediately if the host falsifies information regarding their home address.
  • Liberty Hill ISD will determine the school placement for which the student will attend, and the host family may be responsible for student transportation to and from school.
  • The foreign exchange agency/student is responsible for providing an English translation of the following documents:
  • Once an exchange student is approved to attend Liberty Hill ISD, the host family is responsible for registering the exchange student at the school for which the student will attend. A representative from a foreign exchange organization may not enroll the student. Host family, please click here for school enrollment information.
    • Secondary students will also need to complete the course selection process separately from the enrollment process.
  • Foreign exchange students are accepted for one school year and will not be approved for a single semester. Students are expected to participate in the full school day. 
  • Foreign exchange students are subject to Liberty Hill ISD attendance policies. Attendance laws require districts to enforce the 90 percent rule, which states that students must attend class for 90 percent of the time the class is offered to receive a final grade or credit. The 90 percent rule applies to ALL absences, including excused absences not exempted by the law.
  • Foreign exchange students are subject to Liberty Hill ISD disciplinary policies as outlined in the Liberty Hill ISD Handbook and Code of Conduct found here.
  • Before registering in Liberty Hill ISD, a foreign exchange student’s records will be evaluated to determine the student's grade level and courses. 
    • For a high school student, courses taken before enrolling in Liberty Hill ISD will not be recorded on the LHISD transcript. Students who complete LHISD high school courses and applicable End-of-Course exams will receive an LHISD transcript reflecting credits earned and EOC Mastery level at the end of the school year. 
  • Foreign exchange students are expected to participate fully in their classes, including taking tests and state assessments for the grade level in which the student is placed. If a foreign exchange student is an eligible English Language Learner (ELL), and is required to take the STAAR English I assessment, special provisions under the Texas Administrative Code at 101.1007 apply. 
  • Students wishing to participate in UIL activities must meet UIL Guidelines. Coaches and sponsors of extracurricular activities will obtain and evaluate the students' credentials to determine a foreign exchange student’s eligibility for participation in a UIL activity. Students participating in sports activities are required to have a physical that must meet District guidelines.

**Please note, any cost for student records required by the foreign exchange organization or home country is the responsibility of the foreign exchange student.