International Student Policy

SCS is a discipleship school and so its mission with international students must be consistent with the policies laid down by our school; therefore,

• International students who come from non-Christian families are essentially not in line with the mission of the school and therefore cannot be admitted.   If a believing host family brings an “unbelieving” international student to SCS and the host family is in full support of the school’s mission, this situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 
   
• SCS is committed to the Great Commission and outreach, but the mission of the school is discipleship and not evangelism.
   
• Once SCS is made aware of a potential international student, the admission process is a matter between the student, the parents, and SCS administration.  If the family of the international student does not pursue admission, SCS is not obligated to make any further contact with them.
   
• International students who take the initiative to contact SCS will be evaluated in the same way that any local applicant would be following all admission procedures:  admission application, required records and testing, parent/student interview by phone (with interpreter for parent if necessary), and submission of international tuition and fees.    
   
• In order to participate fully in the academic program at SCS, all international students must speak fluent English as assessed by the administration.  The administration may require a minimum score on the TOEFL test.  It is the responsibility of the student to take the required test and submit the scores to SCS.  The international student must maintain a passing GPA while with no academic accommodations while enrolled at SCS.
   
• In order to fully integrate international students into the academic and cultural life of the school, international students are not permitted to participate in school-sponsored extra-curricular activities during their first year of attendance at SCS.
   
• SCS and its employees and coaches do not recruit athletes locally, nationally, or internationally and therefore athletic criteria cannot be considered as the primary focus of attendance at SCS.  If an international student wishes to participate in athletics beyond their first year of SCS attendance, standard athletic eligibility requirements, such as academic and behavior, apply in the same manner as with traditional students.
   
• International students will not be admitted to the school unless the host family has submitted in writing their willingness to serve as legal guardian of that student in regard to school-related matters while he/she is in the United States.   Approved host families will be current or former SCS families. 
   
• While it is not the responsibility of SCS to solicit host families for international students, the school will make the hosting opportunity known to its parent body.  Host family arrangements (in writing) must be complete prior to enrollment.  The international student’s family is responsible for all financial obligations (international tuition and fees, insurance, etc.).  Should an account become delinquent, the international student is subject to dismissal from the school and I-20 invalidation.  The international student must show proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage valid for the duration of the student’s enrollment and home stay.
   
• The needs of our SCS community and the local community will take priority over admission of international students, therefore no international students may be considered for admission prior to April 1^st of each year.
   
• Internationals residing illegally in the United States are not eligible for admission to SCS.