Exchange Student Program Overview

exchange student program

Who Should Submit An Application?

If you are a student who would like to attend Pinkerton Academy as an exchange student on a J-1 visa, your J-1 Visa sponsor must apply on your behalf. J-1 Visa sponsors are U.S.-based organizations—such as universities, companies, or non-profits—authorized by the U.S. Department of State to administer Exchange Visitor Programs. These sponsors issue the required DS-2019 form and guide participants through the cultural exchange process.

Please only fill out the application if you are an approved J-1 Visa sponsor.

What is the process?

Step 1: Your sponsor should fill out the application. An application must include the following documents:

Sponsor application
Copy of the student's birth certificate
Copy of the student's passport
Student's teacher recommendation letter
Student's transcript
Student's English proficiency report
Complete physical exam
Complete vaccination history (Note: Please use the 2025–2026 NH School Immunization Requirements until the 2026–2027 requirements are released. Once they are available, please ensure the student is in compliance with the updated guidelines. You can find those guidelines here). If the student does not yet meet these requirements, the sponsor must submit a plan outlining how and when the applicant will become compliant prior to the start of the upcoming school year
Signed medical release from guardian(s)
High School Form

Step 2: Once the Academy has received all required application materials, the admissions process will proceed as follows:

Interview: Pinkerton Academy will work with the sponsor to schedule an interview with the student to assess eligibility.
Admission Decision: A decision will be issued based on the completed application and interview.
Forms & Data Sheet: If accepted, Pinkerton will sign the High School Permission Form and send a Data Sheet to the sponsor for completion by the host family.
Registrar Notification: Once the completed Data Sheet is received, the Admissions Office will notify the Registrar of the student’s acceptance. The admissions packet, including the completed Data Sheet and the proposed grade level, will be forwarded to the Registrar.
Final Registration: The Registrar will coordinate with the student and host family to complete the registration process.

Class dues and events

Class dues help fund class activities and events throughout the year and also include the cost of the yearbook. In addition to yearbook eligibility, students must be current on class dues and any other financial obligations to participate in major class activities, such as dances, prom, parking permits, and graduation events.

Exchange students accepted to attend Pinkerton Academy are not required to pay class dues. However, they may purchase tickets for class activities individually as needed. If an exchange student would like a yearbook, it may be purchased separately.

Exchange students may attend school events that are open to all students, as well as events designated for their assigned grade level. For example, a sophomore exchange student may attend sophomore class events but would not be eligible to attend junior prom unless invited by a junior. Students with questions about event eligibility are encouraged to speak with their school counselor or contact the Admissions Office by emailing [email protected].