Convalidation

Convalidation (or otherwise referred to as "Apostille") is the process whereby exchange students may translate the grades and credit, which they have received during their exchange at the host high school, for credit from their home high schools. Students seeking convalidation are generally required to submit official, signed, and sealed school transcripts to certain identified agencies in order to receive a seal of validation, certifying their grades as authentic. These grades can then be provided to the student’s home country high school for transfer credit.

Not all exchange students are required to receive convalidation, however, students from certain countries are more likely to go through this process. Exchange students from Brazil, Italy, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and Ecuador are typically required to convalidate for their American grades. Some students may also seek enrollment in certain classes, which are transferable to the home country high school, or they may be able to receive credit for participating in sports at their host high school.

Students and their natural parents are made aware that the convalidation process is a process that they must follow up on themselves, and we do not expect or require the host family to complete this process for the student. Since many students are not fully able to complete the convalidation process prior to leaving the U.S., and these processes usually cannot be completed by the student from the home country, many students do seek assistance from the host family.

Know that you can refer students on to your Local Coordinator for help.