Foreign Student Services

It is the policy of the Chicago Public Schools to recognize and grant credit for high school studies completed elsewhere on a year-by-year equivalent basis. Credit granted should be comparable to the number of credits obtainable in one academic year at a Chicago public high school.

Admissions

If you plan to arrive, or have recently arrived, in the United States and seek enrollment for your child (without a J-1 or F-1 visa) in Chicago Public Schools for the first time, contact the Foreign Student Services department to schedule an evaluation for placement.

Foreign High School Credits

CPS grants credit for high school studies completed at foreign schools on a year-by-year equivalent basis. This policy applies to:

Students arriving from a foreign country and enrolling in a CPS high school for the first time
Students with J-1 or F-1 visas
Current CPS students who have chosen to study abroad as part of their high school experience

Foreign Student Services evaluates students’ foreign school records for credit and conducts testing for placement. Credit granted will be comparable to the number of credits obtainable in one academic year at a CPS high school.

Returning CPS students who participated in a study abroad program should contact Foreign Student Services for an evaluation of their foreign high school transcripts.

Credentials Evaluation

All school records (grades 8 through 12) from students arriving from foreign countries must be evaluated by Foreign Student Services. Students and their families should contact Foreign Student Services to schedule an appointment for an evaluation of their credentials.

Original documents must be submitted for review. This includes:

Report cards/transcripts listing subjects and final grades
Birth certificate or passport

CPS high schools will record transfer credits, course grades, and course level designations based on the Evaluation of the Foreign Secondary School Credentials.

Students arriving from foreign countries are required to complete a Home Language survey. In addition, CPS tests students’ English language proficiency using the Illinois Board of Education’s screening assessment, ACCESS. The results of this assessment determine English course placement.

Make an Appointment for Credential Evaluation

For the evaluation and review of secondary school credentials from a foreign country, call for an appointment at 773-553-1936.

At the time of your appointment, bring your student's original documents (report card/transcript) listing subjects and final grades for each year of high school level education and your student's official birth certificate and/or passport to:

Mrs. Beata E. Arceo
Chicago Public Schools
Foreign Student Services
42 W. Madison St, Garden Level
Chicago, IL 60602

F-1 Visa Students

CPS accepts qualified F-1 international students for secondary education. I-20 documents issued by CPS allow international students to apply for F-1 visas in their home country. Students must complete the required documents before applying to CPS for an I-20.

F-1 students must pay the non-resident tuition to CPS. Non-resident tuition for school year 2019-2020 is $13,936.26.

In accordance with federal law, students are limited to 12 months of study in public schools, but may continue their visa if they transfer to a private school or college.

The principal or designee of the prospective school must agree in writing to accept the F-1 student and submit it to Foreign Student Services. A school may deny enrollment for lack of available space.
Students must comply with District policies regarding attendance, academic standards, discipline, and graduation.
F-1 students may be enrolled in grades 9 - 12 and attend school full-time. Students must be under 19 years of age at the time of enrollment. Foreign visa students must not have already completed high school or a high school equivalent.
The State's language proficiency test is administered in order to assess the need for ESL classes for students.
High school diplomas are not guaranteed. Students must meet all CPS graduation requirements to graduate. Prior coursework may be accepted, and CPS classes will be assigned based on the Evaluation of Foreign Secondary Credentials provided by Foreign Student Services.

CPS is not responsible for locating or placing homestays and facilitating arrangements for host guardians.

Host guardians must meet the following requirements:

Must live within Chicago city boundaries and be 21 years of age or older
Must come to CPS in person to discuss and process I-20 documents.
May be a relative of the F-1 student
Shall meet with the requested school official to obtain student's acceptance letter
Must advise when student arrives and is ready to start school
Must provide any enrollment documents, forms, verifications requested by CPS
Must provide CPS with a copy of the student's entry-departure record and the visa page of the student's passport
Must advise CPS and the school prior to any change of residence or emergency information
Must attend all meetings requested by school officials

J-1 Visa Students

Chicago Public Schools accepts qualified J-1 international students for secondary education. The J-1 visa is a visitor cultural exchange program.

J-1 visa students are exempted from tuition fees and are required to be proficient in English. J-1 agencies sponsoring their stay must be approved by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The principal or designee of the prospective school must agree in writing to accept the J-1 student. A school may deny enrollment for lack of available space.
J-1 students may be enrolled in grades 9 - 12 and attend school full-time. Students must be between 15 - 18.5 years at the time of enrollment.
In accordance with federal law, J-1 students are limited to 12 months of study. Foreign visa students must not have already completed high school or a high school equivalent.
High school diplomas are not guaranteed. Students must meet all CPS graduation requirements to graduate. Prior coursework may be accepted and CPS classes will be assigned based on the Evaluation of Foreign Secondary Credentials provided by Foreign Student Services.