Overview
Village Christian School would like to bridge our cultures by opening opportunities for foreign students to study here with us.
The student, his or her parents, or agency must communicate with the International Student Coordinator and Host Family the flight itinerary prior to the student’s departure from the home country.
The student is required to purchase 2 round‐trip international air travel tickets before the student departs from his or her home country. All students are required to return to their home country during the winter and summer break. This information must be forwarded to the agency as well as the International Coordinator by the date specified in the contract. Parents, not students, are responsible for directly purchasing airfare and making travel arrangements.
Once again, students must return home during Christmas break. Winter break is the end of the first semester, and we feel that it’s necessary for international students to reconnect with their family and share experiences that they’ve had. As for the Host Families, it is a time to celebrate Christmas and New Years with their own families. Flights should be made for within 2 days after the day they go on winter break in December, and returning to school no later than 4 days prior to the start of second semester in January. This will give students ample time to adjust.
The student is permitted to travel domestically with the host parents or domestically/internationally on VCS sponsored trips. Independent travel, aside from trips directly to and from the home country, is highly not suggested. The student may have permission if the request is made at least 1 month prior to travel with permission and signature letter or document from the natural parents or agency.
The cost of independent travel would be the student and home family’s responsibility.
Living with Host Families
Boarding students will live with an approved VCS host family. The host family assignment is for one academic year. Most students will live with a different host family each year, unless the host family and boarding student agree on an additional years. If the student wishes to change their host family, they will be required to fill out a petition and provide us a letter signed by the student and their birth parents. If the host family wishes to remove the student from their home, the host family will be required to fill out a petition and provide us with a letter signed by the family. At any time the student is not living with the host family, the student or the school is not responsible for any monetary compensation. There is no set contract for students to stay with their home stay families for all of 10 academics months. If the student leaves or is removed within the month, the stipend will be prorated accordingly.
The student will become an integral part of the host family, assuming duties and responsibilities are normal for a child of his or her age in the host family household. This may include cooking, doing dishes, helping with laundry, and cleaning the home.
The student must obey the host family’s rules and be willing to participate in family activities such as attending church and activities.
Problems that arise in the host family are to be resolved first through discussion with the host family, then with the assistance of the International Student Coordinator or lead parent. The student is not to discuss problems of a personal nature with members of the community. If the student is experiencing any sort or relational stress or difficulty or experiences abuse or harassment of any kind or feels they are in danger, he or she must immediately disclose the incident to the International Student Coordinator. A petition will still be required for the purpose of documentation.
Students must share with their host family any medication they bring from their home country to take on a regular or occasional basis. If it is prescription medication, they must have it translated into English and given to the Host Parent as well as the school nurse. If this is not provided in a timely manner, all medication can be discarded by the Host Family, School Official and may result in program termination.
Internet may be accessed from the host family residence. The host family may limit internet and cell phone usage to certain hours of the day, if they feel it is interfering with academic progress.
Students may bring their own computer. Inappropriate use of the Internet by the student, including viewing pornography or visiting questionable websites, is not acceptable. Such activity may result in program termination.
The student may not operate a motorized vehicle including the host family’s vehicle or any friend’s vehicle. Nor will the student get his/her driver’s license while attending VCS.
The student is forbidden from participating in any dangerous sports or activities such as hang gliding, bungee jumping, and skydiving. The family will accept full responsibility for any situation arising from the student’s involvement in a forbidden activity.
VCS International Boarding Students
- will be placed at an appropriate grade level and may be slightly older than their peers.
- will attend school regularly; will be enrolled as a full‐time student
- must make a concerted effort to make satisfactory academic progress and must be involved in some co‐curricular activities. If a student is achieving a C average or lower, the host family and Coordinator may require study hours and limit co‐curricular and weekend activities until the grade is improved.
- will obey the disciplinary rules of VCS and will be respectful of school staff and faculty.
- must make a concerted effort to improve his or her ability in the English language.
- make an effort to get involved in our community by attending and participating in school, church, and/or community events. The student should not spend all his or her time with other international students and should seek guidance from host parents and school personnel when choosing friends.
- must obey the laws of the United States and the States where they live and visit. A student found guilty of violating the law will be returned home at his/her family’s own expense as soon as the student is released by authorities.
- are not allowed to possess or use illegal drugs.
- are not allowed to smoke and/or use or possess of any tobacco products.
- are not allowed to drink or possess any alcoholic beverages. United States law strictly forbids the consumption of alcohol for everyone under age 21.
- will abstain from all sexual activity. Serious romantic involvement is strongly discouraged.
- may not take any action that may change the nature of his/her life (for example, become engaged or married).
- are not allowed to get any new tattoos or body piercings while participating in the international program.
If International students attend any VCS dances or social events, students may not “couple date”. One-on-one dating is not permitted for international students under no circumstance at VCS. VCS will allow group outings, but only if the host family allows. All students must get approval from their host parents.
Athletic Eligibility
Student’s acceptance into Village Christian School does not guarantee athletic eligibility. An eligibility ruling is made for each individual case by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). International students are usually NOT eligible for varsity sports during their first academic year at VCS, but may participate in Freshmen/JV teams and participate in Varsity practices. (Eligibility to play Varsity in the 1st year will be determined by the VCS Athletic Department)
Host Parents/Guardians
Parents or Guardian must communicate directly with the International Student Coordinator or Agency for any and all official business regarding their student. For all school related business, the office (high school, middle school, or elementary) is where all communications will be handled.
Visits by the student’s family or friends while in the program require prior approval by the Guardian. While visits are encouraged, host families will not be expected to house student’s guests at any time.
Students are responsible for all miscellaneous purchases and expenses. Host Families are required to provide all receipts and documentation if personal money was spent for purchases outside of the necessary. All dates on the receipts must be within the time frame of when the international student stays with the Host Family. All students are required to have prepaid credit cards, or debit cards for personal purchases. Reimbursements will not be allowed.
Room and board stipends are determined prior to living with the host family. Lunch fixings will be provided by the host family, unless the student wishes to purchase lunch at school, and money will be provided by the Host Parent. The Host Family must provide 3 nutritious meals a day and during the weekend.
The student may wish to purchase items such as clothing, room decorations and music lessons. He or she may also wish to attend senior trip or attend social functions. These expenses would be paid for by the extra money students bring with them. All specific details must be discussed so that there is no misunderstanding of expenses.
All transportation for student will be provided by the Host Parent. Transportation for school and school related activities are mandatory. Transportation for social gatherings and social meetings must be discussed between the student and host family. Host family must not solely rely on others for transportation, as the international student is under their guardianship.
The student is not permitted to borrow money from anyone.
If for any reason the student is unable to participate in the International Program, a refund is not guaranteed. Whether the student is voluntarily choosing not to attend, or is asked to leave, the financial obligations will be according to the Enrollment Contract. The International Fee is NONREFUNDABLE.
If a student needs unusual help for a matter not related to the academic requirements of VCS, the family would need to request permission for the activity and provide necessary funds and compensation for the activity.
The student must return home within 3 days of the last day of school. Host families will not provide housing during summer or winter break. In March of a given school year, the I-20 will be extended for another academic year providing the student has done well in conduct and academically. A host family availability is also another requirement for the student return for the following year. We strongly encourage students to continue their efforts in their home country during the break, to enhance their language skills if they are asked to return to VCS.
Both boarding students and their parents are expected to read and be familiar with the VCS International Student Handbook. By signing the Enrollment Contract, families are also agreeing to the standards and rules detailed in the handbook.
It is recommended that International Boarding Students must arrive 2 weeks prior to the start of school. Upon arrival, students and host family are required to meet the International Student Coordinator or school personnel to finalize paperwork and receive uniform information. All Host Family and International Students are required to attend the International Orientation and Meet the Teacher Night.
Miscellaneous
The student’s parents give Village Christian School the right to use the student’s photograph for reproduction in any medium for the purposes of publication, advertising, display, or editorial use. No personal information will be publicized.
Village Christian reserves the right to terminate a student’s participation in the boarding program if his or her conduct is considered detrimental or incompatible with the interests of the boarding program. In this case, all fees paid will be nonrefundable and the student’s I-20 will be cancelled.