International Students
International/Foreign Students
Seattle Public Schools welcomes any student regardless of national origin or citizenship, upon documentation that the student or parent/guardian resides within the district boundaries. Please review the International Student Exchange policy and International Student Exchange procedure.
Currently, SPS accepts international students studying on F-1 or J-1 visas. Students visiting our state for a short stay (B-1 or B-2) may not enroll in school in the district. All F-1/J-1 students must first enroll online to be considered for acceptance to the district.
Seattle Public Schools is no longer accepting third-party or direct placement host families in our F-1/J-1 visa student program. Students and/or families must be placed through a student exchange agency in order to be considered for admission. We do not provide legal advice to families on immigration related issues.
Check out the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website for information on studying in the U.S.
Eligibility
- Proficient in the English language
- Must be entering high school (grades 9-12) and have not completed high school in his/her home country
- Must be under 21 years of age
- In good academic standing (average C or above)
Required Documents
- Completed online registration form
- Transcripts for the last 3 years translated in English
- A copy of passport of the student
- A copy of government-issued photo ID of the host family
- Two copies of address verification documents of verifying host family’s residence in the Seattle Public Schools district (dated within the past eight weeks)
- Acceptable: utility or cable bills; mortgage information; insurance documents; government or court issued letters; lease or rental agreements can be used if you include the first page and the signature page
- Not acceptable: copies of envelopes, magazines, junk mails, documents without issued date, documents issued older than the last eight weeks
- Authority and Responsibility for a Minor form: signed by both students’ parents/guardians and host family; notarization not required
- Student data : application materials submitted to the exchange agency
- Certificate of Immunization Status : Please fill out the name and birthday lines and sign. Submit this form along with immunization records from your country
Deadlines to Apply
- Fall semester – August 15
- Winter semester – January 15
School Placement
International foreign exchange students may be assigned to their designated school based on the host family’s address. Please refer to the Address Lookup Tool and review the attendance area school.
Note: Lincoln High School is closed for enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, no exceptions. For alternate school options, please contact Admissions.
International exchange students are eligible to receive English Learner services in their assigned schools if needed.
Tuition Rates for F-1 Student (2024-25 School Year)
Tuition must be paid in full prior to issuing I-20. Tuition rates for F-1 students are:
- $19,000 for one full academic year
- $9,500 for one academic semester
Please mail the cashier’s check or money order (made out to Seattle School District #1, in U.S. currency) to:
Seattle Public Schools
Office of Admissions
Attn: Abby Lin
PO Box 34165
Mail Stop 11-161
Seattle, WA 98124-1165
Tuition is non-refundable once attendance has commenced.
Once we receive payment, we will process the I-20 and the Affidavit of Tuition and mail both original documents to the host family. It will be the responsibility of the host family to send these documents to the student.