International Exchange

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Thank you for your interest in the International Student Exchange program with Iredell-Statesville School District.  Our school district mission is to be a premiere school system where students come first.  All students receive a high-quality relevant education in a safe and caring environment which will produce confident, responsible and globally competitive citizens.  Our students will be college and career ready.

Iredell-Statesville Schools is a Malcolm Baldrige Award Winner and the recipient of two prestigious “Race to the Top” grants.  We offer excellent academic programs with a variety of student activities, visual and performing arts and award-winning athletic programs.  Our student-centered educational programs emphasize a rigorous curriculum with a focus on the academic success of each and every student.  Rigorous academic standards, highly qualified teachers, and a staff dedicated to serving students along with active parent and community involvement, place Iredell-Statesville Schools in the upper echelon of school districts in North Carolina.

We are located in beautiful, Iredell County, North Carolina at the crossroads of Interstate 77 and Interstate 40.  Statesville is centrally located with easy access to Charlotte, Winston Salem and Raleigh, NC.  You will enjoy experiencing the beauty of the southeastern part of the United States with all four seasons of weather while enjoying the many activities within the local community.

The space is limited in our high schools.  We will process the applications as they are received and when they are complete.

 

F1-I20 Visa Student

We highly recommend that you visit the Study in the States website to learn more about the International Student Exchange process for F1/I20 visa students.

Iredell-Statesville Schools is certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS’s) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to accept International Students who want to attend high school in the Iredell-Statesville School district.  We are certified to issue I20 visas to those students who have an F1 visa and have completed the International Exchange Packet which includes an application to attend a high school in our school district along with the requested forms and have made the required payment to Iredell-Statesville Schools.

Once the student application file is complete, it will be reviewed.  Iredell-Statesville Schools will notify you of your application status.  You will receive a letter either of denial or acceptance.  The acceptance letter will state which school you have been accepted to attend and of your next steps.  Your payment will need to be made prior to issuance of the I-20 and enrollment. 

The following steps need to be taken after acceptance letter is received:

  • Payment for a minimum of at least half ($5,250) of the total tuition is made payable to I-SS or payment in full for $10,500 unsubsidized tuition rate must be paid prior to issuance of the I20 visa.

  • Payment for I-901 SEVIS Fee (All international students must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. You can pay your fee at FMJFee.com. For more information, view the Form I-901 Fee Payment tutorial.)

  • Apply for visa to travel to the US at your designated embassy or consulate.

  • Visit this link to review the student handbook.

  • Please contact the guidance counselor at the school to discuss registration.

  • Information about participating in sports as an International Student can be found here.

 

J1 Visa Students

We highly recommend that you visit the J1visa.state.gov website to find out more information about the J-1 visa exchange program.  Iredell-Statesville School District will only accept student applications coming from a certified State Department Agency.  Please complete the International Exchange Packet which includes the Application to Attend along with the requested forms. 

Once the application file is complete, it will be reviewed.  Iredell-Statesville Schools will notify you of your application status.  You will receive a letter either of denial or acceptance.  The acceptance letter will state which school you have been accepted to attend and of your next steps.  Your payment will need to be made prior to enrolling in I-SS. 

The following steps need to be taken next after acceptance letter is received:

  • Payment to I-SS for at least half of the tuition ($4,229) or payment in full of $8,458 tuition rate must be paid prior to registering for school with the remainder due January 1.

  • Please contact the guidance counselor at the school to discuss registration.

  • Information about participating in sports as an International Student can be found here.

Please feel free to contact us at 704-832-2529 or email  khinson@iss.k12.nc.us with any questions that you may have throughout the process.

Thank you again for considering Iredell-Statesville Schools for your International High School Exchange!