Naturally, your high school has many questions. Feel free to give us a ring (800.555.6211) or we can arrange for a local representative to meet with you in person. In the meantime, we’ve tried to answer as many frequently asked questions about enrolling a PAX exchange student in your school as possible.
Yes. In addition to PAX's designation as an Exchange Visitor Program (since 1993) with the U.S. Department of State, the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) once again granted the organization full listing in the Advisory List. The CSIET mark certifies that PAX complies with its standards for international educational travel programs. Beyond that, PAX prides itself on rigorous internal standards to ensure the quality of the program for students, families, schools, and communities.
PAX exchange students come from more than 70 countries around the world. Our map of the PAX world shows every country that partners with PAX to send young ambassadors to the United States for a student exchange experience.
PAX exchange students usually attend the public high school as determined by the residence location of their host family. Accredited private or other alternative schools can be considered on a case by case basis. PAX students may not be homeschooled.
The PAX Community Coordinator is the main contact for host high schools. They provide support and counsel for the students and host families in their area and are available to respond quickly in an emergency. Coordinators are selected and trained by senior staff from the PAX national office. In addition, the PAX national office has experienced staff and on-call, 24-hour support available for all students.
PAX Community Coordinators visit the home of every potential host family. All members of the host family are interviewed and references are checked before placement is approved. Host families are able to choose the student they will host.
No. Host families come in all shapes and sizes, and many PAX exchange students do not have a host brother or host sister attending their school. They might have younger siblings or none at all. Exchange students generally attend the public school designated for the area in which they are hosted.
The PAX Community Coordinator will learn about your school’s policies and work closely with you to ensure that they are followed throughout the exchange year. Every prospective PAX exchange student placement is presented to the high school for approval and confirmed by the signing of a School Enrollment Form. Your high school is a key partner in this cross cultural learning program.
Yes! As long as a high school is accredited, they are eligible for PAX exchange students. If a high school contacts us about placing a student, our Community Coordinator will find a host family in the district. If the district doesn’t already have an available Coordinator, the PAX national office will work to identify and train the right candidate.
Provided the school can accommodate the students and that there are suitable host families, a school can theoretically have as many PAX exchange students as they like. If there will be more than five students in a single school, PAX will certify in writing with the school that they feel confident that they can adequately accommodate the students. This will be in addition to the standard signed School Enrollment Form for each student.
Some high schools appoint a counselor or other staff member who has a particular interest in foreign exchange as the main support for their international students. Others assign a regular counselor as they would for any other new student. In short, it’s up to the school.
Grade placement for PAX exchange students is determined by your school. Factors to consider are school policies, the student’s age, and academic history.
Students are expected to enroll in at least four academic courses per term, including one course in English or American Literature and one course in American History, Government, Sociology, or Economics. We hope that our international exchange students will be able to enroll in electives at their host high schools.
PAX exchange students must maintain a “C” or better in all of the classes they take at their host high school. Students and host families will work with your teachers and counselors to make sure your exchange students are satisfactorily managing their academic work.
While many PAX students are enrolled as seniors and some participate in graduation ceremonies and celebrations, PAX does not promise any student a diploma. Host high school policies regarding graduation are always recognized. If your school is new to hosting foreign exchange students, PAX will help you formulate graduation guidelines for international students.
PAX encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities as allowed by their host high schools. Schools can determine eligibility on an individual basis with the assistance of their local Community Coordinator.
PAX has a strict set of guidelines for students and host families. Host high schools are provided with those guidelines on the High School Enrollment Form. Students and host families review the rules and guidelines at a formal orientation at the beginning of their program year.
Host high schools should first contact their PAX local Community Coordinator. PAX also supplies 24-hour, on-call emergency support through its national offices at 800.555.6211.
Call us at 800.555.6211 or shoot academicexchange[at]pax.org an email by selecting the button below. We'll do our very best to ensure your school has all the information you need before beginning this exciting journey!
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