INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM

The Board supports the integration of international students into district schools as a means of increasing intercultural and international understanding. International Education enriches student development and connects the district to the broader global knowledge economy and brings cultural benefits to schools and communities.

The Board recognizes that additional resources will be required to support the integration of international students.

Guiding Principles

1. The International Program will be designed in a way that supports sustainability and long-term viability of the program. As such, the program is to have representation from multiple countries and regions of the world.
2.  International students will be admitted into district schools in one of two categories:
   1. International Exchange students
   2. Saanich International Student Program (SISP) students
3. SISP student recruitment will be designed to reflect the following:
   1. Prioritizing the diversity of countries;
   2. Sustainable and reliable international recruitment agencies;
   3. Student grade placement which provides an appropriate fit with the district’s available spaces in its schools;
   4. Consideration of the District’s ability to provide adequate supports (e.g. ELL and other school resources, homestay availability);
   5. Ensuring adequate student numbers to run key programs or courses;
   6. Overall school capacities;
   7. Students will be placed into secondary grades with placements in the district’s neighbourhood secondary schools.
4. SISP will be required to generate sufficient revenue to support the SISP infrastructure, provide any necessary staffing and resources to schools to support these additional students and provide positive revenue for the district. to enhance program and services for all students.
5. Tuition fees and any other applicable fees (e.g. Homestay fees, Insurance fees) will be charged to all SISP students. These fees will be approved annually by the Board. Tuition fees will not be charged to International Exchange students as these are funded by the Ministry of Education as equivalent to a non-fee paying student.
6. The Superintendent will provide a bi-annual report in November and April to the Board on the International Student Program including the current student enrollment and any recommendations for future enrollment levels. The full-time equivalent number of SISP students in any given school year will not exceed 5% of the full-time equivalent number of students resident in the district as of the February student count of the previous school year, exclusive of SIDES enrolment.
7. The SISP will be administered by a Principal appointed by the Board.