Brunswick School Department believes that student exchange programs create opportunities for participants and the school community.  Exchange students explore new cultures and develop high degrees of awareness, acceptance of diversity, and an increase in their cultural capital.  The school complements its students' learning by enabling them to gain first-hand knowledge of different cultures and customs. 

ABOUT BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL

Brunswick High School (BHS) has a student population of about 750 students. It offers a comprehensive program of academic excellence for grades 9 through 12 in four levels of instruction: 1) Advanced Placement; 2) Honors; 3) Academic; 4) Preparatory. BHS uses a traditional letter-grading system. Our school is accredited through the State of Maine and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and is consistently ranked among the top schools by rating publications such as Niche and U.S. News and World Report. In addition to its core academic program, BHS offers students a wide range of elective courses, music ensembles, athletics, and extracurricular activities. More information can be found on the BHS home page.

BSD accepts exchange students through a certified J-1 visa program to attend Brunswick High School.  The Superintendent or their designee determine whether, how many, and for how long exchange students will be accepted.  The process for accepting and registering exchange students is below:

1. All inquiries from exchange agencies are directed to the BHS Assistant Principal (AP). 

2. The AP ensures the agency is a certified J-1 program.

3. The AP reviews the request with the Principal who determines whether the school is able to accept the proposed student.

4. The AP notifies the agency whether the request is accepted.

5. If the proposed student is accepted, the AP sends a list of immunization requirements to the agency.  (Note that Maine immunization requirements are more extensive than most states and that there are no exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons.)

6. The agency sends the proposed exchange student’s file to the AP.

7. The AP sends the student’s file to the School Counseling Office which prepares a registration packet.

8. The Host Family meets with the school counselor to register the student.  The counselor ensures that all necessary documentation is provided.

9. When school begins, the School Nurse reviews the student’s file to ensure the student has met immunization requirements and can continue their enrollment in the school.  Students who have not met the immunization requirements may have to return to their country of origin.

Brunswick exemplifies the best qualities of a New England town. It was settled in 1628 and incorporated in 1739. About 21,000 people live here full time. The town boasts a charming downtown with diverse shops and restaurants, a full-service hospital, and picturesque scenery. Located between the Androscoggin River and the Atlantic Ocean, Brunswick offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking trails, water activities, cinema, music, arts, and museums. Bowdoin College, chartered in 1794, also plays a prominent physical, cultural, and historical role in the town. The town has convenient access to Interstate 295 and coastal Route 1. It is about 30 miles north of Portland and the Portland International Jetport. The passenger train Amtrak Downeaster connects to Boston and has a station in Brunswick.