WORLDWIDE CULTUREL
EXCHANGE PROGRAM
High
School

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic composed of fifty states and one federal district. Most of the country lies in the central part of North America, stretching between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. There is no such thing as a "typical America" or a "typical American." The country’s vastness and the diversity among its fifty states make it difficult to generalize, and doing so may often lead to misconceptions.

Education in the United States is primarily provided by the public sector, and attendance in primary and secondary schools is mandatory. Unlike Türkiye, the U.S. education system is not centralized. While the U.S. Department of Education sets general standards for primary and secondary education, each state—and even each city—has the autonomy to design its own curriculum and educational goals.

After completing Grade 5, students enter secondary school, which spans Grades 6 through 12. The final four years of this phase (Grades 9–12) are referred to as high school. Upon completing Grade 12, students receive a high school diploma. This diploma is essential for entry into colleges or universities in the United States. There is no national exam or centralized curriculum required for high school students; however, educators have introduced a broad set of standards outlining the competencies expected of graduates.

In line with its multicultural values, the United States offers international high school students aged 15–17 the opportunity to participate in student exchange programs for one or more academic years. Exchange students are placed with volunteer host families selected and approved by the U.S. Department of State. They are then enrolled in the public high school nearest to their host family’s residence.

Students in this program may stay for one or multiple academic years, fully immersed in American educational and cultural life.