General Information

Welcome to the Anaheim Union High School District’s International Student Information page. This information is for international students who are seeking a one-year public high school experience. All of our comprehensive high schools are SEVIS approved.  Students that are accepted will be provided an I-20 document.  The I-20 document is necessary to apply for an F-1 Student Visa. A student who receives an F-1 Student Visa is eligible to attend one school year at a public school within the United States.  Please navigate the Home Page of our webpage to view our high schools.  

• The application period is open after March 1.  Please be advised that AUHSD first semester begins in early August.   
• The application packet must be completed accurately and complete (including supporting documents) prior to receiving an I-20.  This includes the processing and tuition fee.   

Students who wish to attend a public high school in the Anaheim Union High School District on an F-1 Student Visa will be required to receive an I-20 application form. In order to receive the I-20 Form, students must fill out the application form (below) so that the District can determine if the student is able to fulfill the requirements for acceptance. Please contact David Green or Daniela Salazar regarding tuition  internationalrelations@auhsd.us or 714-999-3766  (including a $500 non-refundable deposit).

Applications are to be submitted to David Green (714-999-3766) in Student Support Services or can be scanned to:  Green_d@auhsd.us   Please follow the steps outlined in the application for any New I-20 or F-1 Transfer Student. 

To apply for acceptance to AUHSD’s International Program, the student will be required to: 

• Download and complete AUHSD’s application 
• Scan and email the completed application to our Student Services Department 
• Demonstrate the ability to pay for one year tuition and stay in the U.S. (bank affidavit)  
• Have a legal guardian present and available here in the U.S. 
• Provide a Medical Power of Attorney that is present and available within the U.S. 
• Translated transcripts (AERC is the translation company used) 
• Letter of recommendation from current school administrator 
• Immunization paperwork in English for California’s required immunizations. 
• Score proficient on a language assessment.  

Students who are accepted will be required to: 

• Make an appointment with the Language Assessment Center 
• Guardian / Caregiver will meet with Student Services.  Must have Visa  

Students who are enrolled will be expected to: 

• Live with an adult at all times 
• Maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 
• Follow all school policies and procedures including attendance and behavior expectations of the school.  

A student may be withdrawn from the Anaheim Union High School District if there is: 

• Lack of regular attendance
• Continued school failure after appropriate counseling 
• Failure to comply with additional requirements for the student 
• Continued actions contrary to the accepted practice of the school
•  Failure to meet financial obligations 
• Possession of firearms or weapons 
• Theft, vandalism, possession or use of alcoholic beverages or narcotics on or off campus or at a school function 
• Seriously endangering fellow students or the reputation of the school on or off campus.  Any action, by the student and / or parent, considered serious enough as determined by the administration  

Guardianship Requirements:

• Must have notarized affidavit 
• Meet with AUHSD Student Services 
• Must communicate with Student Services regarding any contact information / address change for the student 
• Must provide a furnished bedroom and appropriate surroundings for the student 

Caregiver Requirements: 

• Provide a furnished bedroom and appropriate surrounding for the student 
• All of the following and not limited to, signing absence verifications, acknowledging school notifications and monitoring student’s academic progress 
• The home should be comfortable and a place where the student feels comfortable  

Language Assessment Requirement

AUHSD requires an English proficiency score from all international applicants.  DuoLingo has created a reliable and user-friendly language proficiency exam called Duolingo English Test (DET) that students can take on a computer using your internet browser.  Our hope is to improve the application experience for international students, while still receiving reliable results.  Students and the admissions office will also get the results within 24-48 hours.

You may already be familiar with DuoLingo, since it is the world’s largest online language-learning platform and the most downloaded education app in the world for both Android and IOS devices.  DuoLingo is a platform that includes a free language learning app, a crowdsourced text translation platform, and a language proficiency center, where the test can be taken.

To take the DuoLingo English Test (DET) follow this link:   http://go.duolingo.com/auhsd

Scores requested for language assessments:

50 or more on the TOEFL

40 or more on the DET (DuoLingo English Test)

Or for other exams, using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), score at a LEVEL B1 or higher.

AUHSD does not want to discourage students to apply if they score below a cut off.  We realize that a student is more than just a number.  Determination for acceptance will also include recommendations, grades, and the SKYPE interview.  It is understandable that many international students come to the U.S. to learn, and enhance their English skills. 

When Do I Need to Apply for My F-1 Student Visa? 

• Students are encouraged to apply for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing (January). Students may apply for their visa as soon as they are prepared to do so. 
• Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date. If you apply for your visa more than 120 days prior to your start date or registration date as provided on the Form I-20, the Embassy or Consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue the visa. Consular officials will use that extra time for application processing. 
•  Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation that requires, that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown on the Form I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S. For more detailed steps on “How to Apply” please review the information on the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs (U.S. Visas) and the Student Exchange and Visitor Program websites.

Help with F-1 Student Visa

• Your school will have a designated school official (DSO) to help you with immigration issues (however, you are solely responsible for following U.S. immigration & State laws). Questions on how to obtain Form I-20A-B should be made to the school. If the school does not have the forms, it should contact its local USCIS office.
• For assistance in your country, contact the nearest U.S. Consulate.
• For inquiries on visa cases in progress overseas, contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your case. 
• For assistance within the U.S., contact the State Departments Visa Office at 202-663-1225. You may also email a general inquiry to usvisa@state.gov. Be sure to indicate the general subject of your inquiry on the subject line (e.g., student visa), and do not expect an immediate reply. You may also write to:

         U.S. Department of State

                  Visa Services

                  Washington, DC 20520-0113

• For assistance within the U.S., you may also contact your nearest USCIS District Office or Sub Office. This link provides telephone numbers, addresses, directions, office hours, local filing procedures, and more.

In the U.S., you may also call the national USCIS toll-free information service at 1-800-375-5283.

Apply for Permission to Transfer Schools

You must complete a new F-1 Student Visa application for our District and follow/meet the guidelines outlined on our application.  As part of the application process, students will need to provide official transcripts (sealed), discipline, attendance, and current grade report(s). Additionally, any updated reports corresponding to special programs i.e. GATE, Special Education, etc... will also be required. 

If accepted into Anaheim Union High School District – you must notify your current school of your intent to transfer. You must obtain a new I-20 (A-B/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status) from your new school, and give the completed I-20 to your new DSO within 15 days of transfer date.

The designated school official (DSO) should give you the last two pages, known as Form I-20 ID.

You must forward a copy of the first two pages, known as Form I-20 A-B, to the USCIS and your prior school. 

Can I travel Outside the USA

Students may leave the United States and be readmitted after absences of three weeks or less (Public High School). Upon your return to the United States, you should provide immigration inspectors with:

• A valid passport.
• A valid F-1 entry visa stamped in the passport (if necessary).
• A current (original) USCIS Form I-20 ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - for Academic and Language Students) signed by your appropriate school official (you should have the appropriate school official sign your USCIS Form I-20 each time you wish to temporarily travel outside the United States).
• Proof of your financial support.

When making your travel plans, please remember that you must be a full-time student to keep your F-1 student status.