Foreign Exchange Students

Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) accepts Foreign Students based on established Policy and Procedure. Policy 3142 and procedure 3142P, which dictate acceptance requirements for both students and sponsoring organizations/individuals, can be viewed at www.fwps.org/info/policies/3000/3142.htm and www.fwps.org/info/policies/3000/3142P.htm, respectively. FWPS does not offer "out-bound" programs, but can provide interested students with a listing of Foreign Exchange Organizations currently registered with the Secretary of State's Office in Olympia.

All Exchange Organizations wishing to place foreign students in our high schools for an academic year or semester (fall semester only) must be pre-qualified during the month of March, annually. A listing of required submittals can be downloaded here (21K PDF).

All prospective Foreign Exchange students must apply and be approved by FWPS at 31405 18 th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003. All potential foreign exchange students must meet the same criteria. The FWPS Pre-enrollment Application/Checklist for prospective foreign exchange students can be downloaded here (240K PDF). Please contact Geri Walker at 945-2071 for additional information.

Federal Way High School, Decatur High School, Thomas Jefferson High School and Todd Beamer High School have openings for two exchange students at each school. Each organization or individual is allowed to place a maximum of two students at each high school, annually.

"Approved" organizations and individuals wishing to sponsor students may begin submitting applications to the FWPS at the Educational Service Center in April for the following school year. The deadline for submitting applications for a fall placement is June 15.

Students in the United States as visitors (B1/B2 visa status) may not enroll in the public schools. Please contact Geri Walker for further information.