List of 10 items.

• When do students arrive/depart, and will they spend holidays and vacations with our family?

  Attending the International Summer Camp is required for the international students who are accepted at Jackson Prep. The camp is held during the last two weeks of July and students will arrive in mid July and leave at the end of the school year.  Students will return home for the summer months.  
  
  Unless they have different arrangements, most students spend the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break holidays with their host families.

• Are there any liability or insurance issues that I should be concerned about?

  Students need to provide their own insurance policy and spending money. Jackson Prep requires (and will assist you with the completion of) the necessary legal paperwork to ensure that your family and the student are properly covered and that you have the necessary legal rights to care for your student.

• What should I expect in terms of expenses for our family?

  Host families are expected to treat the student like any other family member providing meals, lodging, and participation in family activities.  School meals in the Dining Commons will be funded  by the student’s family.  In addition, the student will require a separate bedroom for their own personal space, internet access, and access to any other appropriate academic materials.  In exchange for your incurred expenses, participating families will be compensated with a monthly stipend for each month the student resides with the family over the 10 month period.  This compensation is a contractual agreement between the host family and the student’s family.

• How does transportation work?

  Students are assigned host families located in safe and respectable areas. Host families are expected to provide safe transportation to and from school each day. Host families will provide transportation to and from necessary appointments to maintain school and/or program compliance, and should also assist in providing for or arranging transportation for social and extracurricular activities. We encourage host families to develop a system with your international student for communicating extracurricular schedules and transportation needs. Host families are asked to meet the normal transportation needs that a student may have.
  
  Host families that reside in Ridgeland/Madison have access to the Jackson Prep bus service but will be at the expense of the host family.  The bus service is a morning service only that originates at the Renaissance and provides transportation to Jackson Prep.

• What countries are we hosting students from?

  The Jackson Prep International Program is growing in progress and we are seeking students from several countries, such as China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Italy, Spain, etc.

• Do I need to speak a foreign language?

  No, we prefer that you don’t (at least not the native language of your student).  Students who are admitted into the program have demonstrated the ability to speak conversational English. Learning to speak English fluently is one of their primary motivations for coming to the US. The best way to help these students reach their goals is to communicate with them as often as possible in English.

• Are there any other expectations for host families?

  These shared aspects include some of the following activities:
  

  • Sharing in everyday family activities, such as sharing meals together.
  • Joining in family outings and recreational activities at home or away from home, as the student’s academic schedule allows.
  • Inviting the international student to attend religious services with the host family, or joining a church youth activity at least one time a week with host family members.
  • Sharing in the family’s household jobs in the same way that other family members would participate.  Each host family has its own plan, but these jobs may include helping to wash dishes, prepare meals, clean the house, do laundry or yard work, etc.  Living in a family means that all family members share fun times and work times together, which is very different from renting a room at a boarding house or a hotel.
  • Showing respect for, and cooperation with, family rules about curfew and activities, with friends.  Host parents function as substitutes for the international student’s biological parents and therefore must be informed of the student’s activities and whereabouts at all times.  Assisting the international students with communication on a personal or emotional level about feelings, problems at school, personal concern, etc.
  • Practicing politeness, kindness, good manners, honesty, and thoughtfulness toward all family members.
  • Attend school games and other activities where the international student may be participating.  International students need to be encouraged to join an athletic team or club in order to get the full benefit of the school experience.

• Do I need to receive any training to host a child?

  Yes.  Each member of the host  family will receive the Safe Environment Training program and coaching sessions from Jackson Prep.

• What if there is a problem or an emergency?

  If there is a problem or an emergency, you should contact the school representative for the international program to contact their origin family.

• I am interested. What do I do next?

  If you would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity to make a difference in a young person’s life, have any questions, or would like further information, please contact the International Student Program Office at 601.939.8611 Ext. 295 or Email: jpip@jacksonprep.org.