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District outlines 'Global Scholars' plan to host F‑1 international high‑school students, staff say tuition covers cost
Summary
Arcadia Unified presented a proposal to recruit F‑1 international students to Arcadia High via the Student and Exchange Visitor Program; staff said participating students must pay tuition equivalent to district per‑pupil cost (cited at about $16,500) and final interviews and placement-agency partnerships are planned.
The board heard a staff presentation on the proposed Arcadia Global Scholars Program, a plan to recruit and host F‑1 international students at Arcadia High School under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Dr. Tong explained how the program works: the district applied and was approved to issue an I‑20 form, which students use to apply for an F‑1 visa. "It is our ability to go out across the world and recruit students to come and spend a year at Arcadia High School," he said. He added that participating students "have to pay the cost of their education," and cited a previous district calculation of roughly $16,500 per student as the approximate cost to educate a student in Arcadia.
Staff described expected program safeguards: recruiting and vetting with placement agencies, a district final interview, proof of financial resources and required health/accident insurance, and homestay placement administered by agencies. The program is limited to grades 9–12 (public school F‑1 rules) and staff said the intent is to start conservatively, filling seats that are currently unoccupied in existing classes rather than increasing class sizes.
Board members asked about logistics and contingencies — how homestays and caregiver responsibilities will be handled, what happens if a placement fails, and whether students would be eligible for in‑state college tuition later (staff said they remain international applicants). Staff said the placement agency would handle homestay logistics, but the district would do final interviews and monitor student wellbeing.
No formal action was taken; the board expressed general interest and staff said they would continue vetting placement partners and refine timelines for a conservative initial intake.
