F-1 Middle School Program USA
Looking for a safe way for your younger teen to explore the world? Then the ICES F-1 Middle School Program USA is a great option for students younger than high school age to get the American school experience. The program is designed for young and talented international students who want to learn about the American culture and improve their language skills. ICES carefully screens host families and provides extra support to middle school students studying abroad in the USA.
F-1 Middle School Program USA
Get a Head Start on International Study in a Safe, Supportive Environment
For young and talented international students who want to experience the American culture and improve their language skills, studying abroad at a younger age can lead to increased fluency and near-native cultural competency. ICES offers international students the opportunity to enroll in American middle schools — sixth through eighth grade — and follow the same curriculum as their American classmates.
To ease students’ transition and calm parents’ nerves, our ICES Local Coordinators provide careful supervision and send monthly progress reports home so you can monitor progress and make sure your child is taking advantage of all the opportunities of the exchange program.
Your child will participate in an extensive Arrival Orientation program with both the Local Coordinator and the host family, which will give you the opportunity to ask questions and get important information to help your child adjust to American culture.
American families who apply to host our middle school students must pass an in-depth interview, home visit and criminal background check to ensure the safety and comfort of our young students. Families are also coached on how to guide their young guests both academically and emotionally, and families are selected for their sensitivity to this age group. Host families live within the school community to make sure your child has easy access to after-school activities and special school events throughout the year.
The middle school exchange program is a tremendous opportunity for eager learners to experience an American education before deciding whether to attend public or private high school in the United States.
Get a Head Start – Experience American culture and learn English at a younger age.
Multiple Years – You can attend the program for a semester, academic year or multiple years!
Be a Global Citizen at a young age – Develops an understanding and appreciation for an international environment already at a young age!
Our F-1 Middle School Program is available for either a semester or full-year term, with the opportunity to extend to multiple years. The ideal student for this exchange program is already able to communicate at the beginner level in English and demonstrates a strong desire to learn more at an intensive rate. Once enrolled, students will be able to take advantage of English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and individual tutoring to help them further their English skills or gain confidence more quickly.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE ICES F-1 MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOOL PROGRAM USA
- The ICES Academic Team Cares: They are trained to support both students and host families throughout the duration of the program.
- Easy Enrollment: The Academic Team takes care of everything, including acceptance paperwork and timely delivery of the I-20 document.
- Safety First: Host families are carefully screened for student safety and comfort.
- Choice of Dates: Choose from semester, academic year program or multiple years.
- ICES Local Coordinators: You’re never on your own with a Local Coordinator by your side to offer guidance throughout the school term.
- 24-hour Emergency Line: Help is just a phone call away for students and host families alike.
- Monthly Progress Reports: There’s built-in peace of mind for parents, who’ll be able to make sure their children are getting the most out the exchange experience.
- Student Handbook: You’ll receive a comprehensive document with everything you need to know about your school, the program and the policies in place.
- Arrival Orientation Program: Exciting programs in either New York or Los Angeles help students know what to expect and get acclimated to life in the U.S. before heading off to meet their host families.
Student Requirements
- AGE: 11-14
- GRADE: 6-8
- ACADEMICS: Students should have a strong transcript and demonstrate excellent classroom behavior and participation.
- ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS: Beginner English levels are expected in all modes: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- ATTITUDE: The willingness to deal with the inevitable challenges of adapting to another culture and communicating in a foreign language. It is expected that school will feel difficult at first, but students should maintain a positive attitude and willingness to try their best at all times.
- INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY: An open mind toward learning the ins and outs of another culture, including its social customs as well as concrete experiences such as food and fun. Students should be excited about living in the United States and motivated to learn English.
Program Duration
- Semester
- Academic Year
- Multiple Years
Price
The price for the F-1 Middle School Program varies from school to school. Please contact the ICES F-1 Academic Team for more information!
Contact F-1 Academic School Team
Your ICES Host Family
Living with an American family will help you quickly adjust to life in the U.S., improve your English and learn about local customs and traditions. All of our families are carefully screened and vetted by our local staff.
ICES host families come from all backgrounds, faiths and philosophies. Some families have two host parents, and others are single- parent families. Some have young children who will enjoy the experience of having a “big brother or sister.” Sometimes the host parents have no children, or their children are grown up and live on their own. Often host parents work outside the home. Whatever the circumstances, host families share a common trait – they have enough love to make a young person from another country part of their family.
Many students and natural families are curious about how host families are found. Screening of American host families includes a host family application, reference checks, criminal background checks for every member of the household aged 18 and older, and an in-home interview by the ICES Local Coordinator.
Your ICES Local Coordinator
The Local Coordinator is the student’s most important ICES contact and a vital part in the exchange experience. Students can depend on their Local Coordinator to offer advice, answer questions, assist with class enrollment and help them to develop a satisfying relationship with their host family.
At least once a month, the Local Coordinator will contact the student, host family and school to discuss recent experiences and prepare a monthly progress report.
The Local Coordinator often plans activities and trips for students in the area, and sometimes together with other ICES field staff in the region.
The Local Coordinator reports to the ICES Regional Director, and if additional support or help becomes necessary the ICES Student Support Center will be contacted. An ICES on-duty officer may always be reached 24/7 at ICES toll-free number 1-800-3566.
Extra Support
To ease students’ transition and calm parents’ nerves, our ICES Local Coordinators provide careful supervision and send monthly progress reports home so you can monitor progress and make sure your child is taking advantage of all the opportunities of the exchange program. Your child will participate in an extensive Arrival Orientation program with both the Local Coordinator and the host family, which will give you the opportunity to ask questions and get important information to help your child adjust to American culture.
ICES families who apply to host our middle school students must pass an in-depth interview, home visit and criminal background check to ensure the safety and comfort of our young students. Families are also coached on how to guide their young guests both academically and emotionally, and families are selected for their sensitivity to this age group. Host families live within the school community to make sure your child has easy access to after-school activities and special school events throughout the year.
The middle school exchange program is a tremendous opportunity for eager learners to experience an American education before deciding whether to attend public or private high school in the United States.
What’s Included in Your Program?
When you enroll your child in ICES F-1 Middle School Program, you get much more than just standard school tuition. Here’s what your program fee covers:
• Acceptance in a Middle School
• Processing and delivery of an I-20 document
• Placement with a screened Host Family
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• ICES Local Coordinator supervision
• Support from ICES National Student Counselor
• Monthly student progress reports
• Medical insurance
• Local airport arrival and departure transportation
• 24-hour Emergency Line
• August arrival includes a 4-day/3-night arrival orientation