Information for International Students

No school in America has a history more rooted in bringing together students from around the world than Verde Valley School.  International students comprise approximately forty percent of the student body, bringing global perspective to daily life.  They enjoy being a part of the generations of young men and women who have brought their own cultures and heritage to the VVS campus.  International students should be familiar with the following:
The school offers special opportunities and cultural activities for international students, including travel to unique places around Arizona (such as the Grand Canyon) and sponsoring international events (such as Oktoberfest, Cinco de Mayo, and Chinese New Year celebrations).  Special services also include the expedited mailing of all student related school correspondence, control of travel documents and assistance with travel and living arrangements during school breaks. The annual International Student Program fee is $1,000 and is due prior to enrollment.

VVS is certified by SEVIS and the School will issue the student a Form I-20 and Form I-901 upon completion of enrollment.  Enrollment is defined as submission of the signed Enrollment Contract and the remittance of required payment.  The prospective nonimmigrant student must then obtain a student visa from an embassy or consulate abroad or, if from a visa exempt country such as Canada or Bermuda, apply for admittance at a U.S. Port of Entry.  VVS will send supplemental documents to assist with the consulate visit and any questions should be directed to the Office of Admission.  The Form I-901 fee is $200 and will be billed to the student following enrollment.

The English as a Second Language Program know as English Language Learning Program at Verde Valley School offers a full range of intensive courses with the primary goal of preparing students for success in the pre-IB and IB course work of the curriculum at VVS.  Students whose native language is not English can expect to take an English proficiency assessment upon arrival on campus.  This assessment will be used to be place students in the most appropriate course of study.  A full listing and description of the classes offered through the English Language Learning Program can be found under English as a Second Language on the Academics page of the VVS website.  The fee is $1,000 and is due upon enrollment.

 

VVS offers one-on-one tutorials and small group tutorials for non-native English speaking students in grades 9 – 12 who may be experiencing difficulty with coursework in Social Studies, Science, English and the Arts.  Teachers may request that students attend English Language Support throughout the school year.  The fee for English Language Support is $500 for the school year, and will be billed retroactively according to student use.

 

Health and Accident Insurance

 All students are required to have U.S.-based health and accident insurance when attending school.  The school will purchase a policy for any international student who does not have such insurance coverage.  The cost for a typical ten (10) month policy is $700.

AVI International offers one of the most comprehensive youth travel insurance programs available today with U.S. based claims procedures. No deductibles, co-payments or claims processing fees.  The premium is charged against the Student Account and the parents agree to increase the Student Account deposit by USD $650.  The school will enroll each international student unless proof of comparable U.S. based coverage is provided before the opening day of school.

Claim forms are available through the Business Office and the School Nurse, as well as online at www.avi-international.net.  All contact numbers are toll-free US numbers (for emergencies or doctor referrals, or 24-hour Emergency Center also in the US).
In special circumstances, the school will waive the U.S. based health insurance requirement when parents provide a Visa or MasterCard to which health-related expenses may be charged. Contact the business office for information or to obtain a waiver form. 

Students are encouraged to arrange visits with school friends or family during school holidays. The school is closed during the Thanksgiving (I week), Winter (3 week), and Spring (2 week) breaks. When necessary, the school will find local families to host our international students during these periods. When the school makes these arrangements, a home stay charge of $100 per week may be collected from the student account and paid to the host family to defray the cost of food and other expenditures.

Allowance Account

An Allowance Account for personal spending can be arranged with an additional deposit.  Students may withdraw according to parent/guardian written instructions to the Business Office. VVS recommends $20-$25 per week.

No school in America has a history more rooted in bringing together students from around the world than Verde Valley School. International students comprise approximately forty percent of the student body, bringing global perspective to daily life. They enjoy being a part of the generations of young men and women who have brought their own cultures and heritage to the VVS campus. International students should be familiar with the following: The school offers special opportunities and cultural activities for international students, including travel to unique places around Arizona (such as the Grand Canyon) and sponsoring international events (such as Oktoberfest, Cinco de Mayo, and Chinese New Year celebrations). Special services also include the expedited mailing of all student related school correspondence, control of travel documents and assistance with travel and living arrangements during school breaks. The annual International Student Program fee is $1,000 and is due prior to enrollment.

VVS is certified by SEVIS and the School will issue the student a Form I-20 and Form I-901 upon completion of enrollment. Enrollment is defined as submission of the signed Enrollment Contract and the remittance of required payment. The prospective nonimmigrant student must then obtain a student visa from an embassy or consulate abroad or, if from a visa exempt country such as Canada or Bermuda, apply for admittance at a U.S. Port of Entry. VVS will send supplemental documents to assist with the consulate visit and any questions should be directed to the Office of Admission. The Form I-901 fee is $200 and will be billed to the student following enrollment.

ELL Program (Formerly ESL)
The ELL program offers intensive English Language Learning curriculum with the primary goal of mainstreaming students into the standard IB diploma track.  All incoming non-native English speakers will take an Arizona State English language proficiency exam in order to be placed in the most appropriate English course of study.  The ELL curriculum consists of a Reading Comprehension and Fluency class and a Writing and Grammar class.  The purpose of these classes is to prepare ELL students to perform academic tasks with proficiency in Standard American English.  ELL students will also work to master pronunciation and listening skills.  The English Language Learning Program The ELL staff is available for English Language Support for up to six hours per week.  English Language Support serves as one-on-one and/or small group tutorial time. All non-native English speaking students are encouraged to use this tutorial service. Teachers may request that students attend English Language Support throughout the school year. The fee for English Language Support is $3,000 for the school year, and will be billed retroactively according to student use.

For information on the VVS Accelerated English Language Institute summer program, click here.

Health and Accident Insurance
All students are required to have U.S.-based health and accident insurance when attending school. The school will purchase a policy for any international student who does not have such insurance coverage. The cost for a typical ten (10) month policy is $650. AVI International offers one of the most comprehensive youth travel insurance programs available today with U.S. based claims procedures. No deductibles, co-payments or claims processing fees.  The premium is charged against the Student Account and the parents agree to increase the Student Account deposit by USD $650. The school will enroll each international student unless proof of comparable U.S. based coverage is provided before the opening day of school. Claim forms are available through the Business Office and the School Nurse, as well as online at www.avi-international.net.  All contact numbers are toll-free US numbers (for emergencies or doctor referrals, or 24-hour Emergency Center also in the US).

In special circumstances, the school will waive the U.S. based health insurance requirement when parents provide a Visa or MasterCard to which health-related expenses may be charged. Contact the business office for information or to obtain a waiver form.

Home Stays
Students are encouraged to arrange visits with school friends or family during school holidays. The school is closed during the Thanksgiving (I week), Winter (3 week), and Spring (2 week) breaks. When necessary, the school will find local families to host our international students during these periods. When the school makes these arrangements, a home stay charge of $100 per week may be collected from the student account and paid to the host family to defray the cost of food and other expenditures.

Allowance Account
An Allowance Account for personal spending can be arranged with an additional deposit. Students may withdraw according to parent/guardian written instructions to the Business Office. VVS recommends $20-$25 per week.