Schools & Educators
Globalize Your High School
Welcome international exchange students into your high school to give your classrooms and community the world! Academic Year in America (AYA) exchange students share their culture through everyday interactions and presentations—adding depth to classroom discussions and enriching extracurricular activities such as sports teams, school clubs, and community organizations.
The result is a school environment where students learn to celebrate differences, approach the world with empathy, and prepare for success in our interconnected society. By teaming up with AYA, your high school can enroll international students with strong academic records and help shape global citizens in your community, all while you receive trusted support from our dedicated team and gain access to special resources.
Interested in enriching your school by working with a high school exchange program? Contact our team to learn more.
Our Student Body
AYA students are motivated, responsible, and bright young ambassadors of their home countries students who excel academically and are eager to learn about U.S. culture, making them ideal candidates to enrich American classrooms.
Each student is fluent in English, has a proven academic record, and is carefully screened for maturity and readiness to succeed in a U.S. high school environment.
Is Your School Eligible?
All accredited public and private high schools in the United States are eligible to host AYA exchange students.
Whether your high school is large or small, rural or urban, AYA brings global diversity and intercultural understanding into every type of classroom — public, private, parochial, and charter.
Partnering with AYA gives your students daily exposure to new perspectives, international friendships, and real-world cultural learning.
The foreign exchange students bring such a positive atmosphere to our school. They show our students what it means to take academics seriously. 95% of the students who attend our school (11 this year) are in the honors and advanced courses with A’s and B’s. They are truly a joy to have at our school, and we welcome them.
How Our Exchange Program Supports Schools
We recognize the vital role high schools and educators play in making exchange programs successful. By providing consistent, hands-on support at every step, we’re dedicated to creating a positive experience for both your school community and our exchange students. Our Local Coordinators work directly with administrators to make the process smooth, collaborative, and rewarding for everyone involved.
Here’s what you can expect when your school teams up with AYA:
Beyond the local level, AYA’s national team in Stamford, CT, is available to answer your questions and assist with procedures, policies, and cultural exchange initiatives. Together with our Local Coordinators, we’re here to ensure your school seamlessly navigates this one-of-a-kind opportunity for cultural exchange.
AIFS Foundation: Grants for High Schools
AYA is proudly sponsored by the AIFS Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting international understanding and global education since 1967. For more than five decades, the Foundation has supported schools and communities across the United States in building meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Through this mission, AYA extends its support to partner schools by offering the Tony Cook Memorial Grant, a $1,000 annual award that funds projects promoting intercultural engagement, global awareness, and inclusive learning environments.
Schools use these grants in creative ways: hosting international fairs, inviting global speakers, developing new cultural curriculum materials, or supporting service projects that connect students across cultures.
If you are interested in learning more about the Tony Cook Memorial Grant, email our team at aya.info@aifs.org
Hear from Educators Like You
Discover why educators across the U.S. are thrilled to welcome AYA exchange students to their schools and communities.
Let’s Connect
Thinking about bringing the world into your classrooms? We’d love to talk to you about welcoming high school exchange students to your school! The AYA team is here to answer your questions and walk you through every step of the process.