Can high school foreign exchange students experience graduation in Macon?

A social media post urging the Bibb County School District to let international exchange students participate in an upcoming graduation ceremony gained traction online this week.

On April 18, Briana Thompson-Sears expressed disappointment in a Facebook post that two international exchange students at Rutland High School, who she’s hosting in her home, will not be allowed to participate in next month’s graduation ceremony, despite taking part in senior activities, including paying for senior photos and graduation attire.

In the post, Thompson-Sears said the students’ families secured visas in order to attend the ceremony but would not receive graduation tickets. The families are not requesting diplomas be awarded, but are seeking an accommodation for the students to participate and have their names called in the ceremony, she said in the post.

Online users responding to the post said the decision was unfair and called on district leaders to reconsider the decision, with board of education candidate Jonathan Fisher promoting a community letter of support in the students’ favor.

International exchange students are not permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies under current district policy, according to the Bibb County School District’s regulation for exchange students listed within the board of education’s policy directory.

“According to the Bibb County Board of Education regulation pertaining to exchange students, ‘students accepted for exchange programs may receive course credit but are not eligible to earn a high school diploma and do not participate in graduation ceremonies,’” district spokesperson Jeremy Timmerman said in an email Monday.

On Tuesday, in a comment on Thompson-Sears’ post, Bibb County School District Superintendent Dan Sims said the district is reviewing the matter and will provide an update soon.

“We are working with the host family, our dear students, and agency to address this matter appropriately and in line with our established policies and regulations related to graduation,” Sims wrote. “Based on so much interest in this matter, an appropriate correspondence will be sent before the week is out.”

Thompson-Sears did not provide further details to The Telegraph about the status of her request or the students prior to publication.

Rutland High School’s graduation is scheduled for May 21.

What’s the district policy for international exchange students?

Bibb County Schools’ “Regulation JQK: Exchange Students” was originally adopted in April 2024 and was last revised in May of the same year, according to the district’s website.

Under the policy, exchange students are defined as those enrolled through international exchange agencies approved by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel. These students may attend school for one semester or a full academic year, receive course credit and participate in classes based on their academic background and English proficiency.

“International exchange students will be placed in the 10th grade with the option to take upper-level courses based upon interests and a review of transcripts from the home country,” according to the policy. “School counselors and Teaching and Learning/ESOL staff may recommend alternate course placement based on language evaluation results and readiness.”

The policy also said that while exchange students may earn course credit, they are not eligible to receive a high school diploma from the district. The regulation also specified that international exchange students do not participate in graduation ceremonies.

The policy sets additional requirements for exchange students, including age limits, academic expectations and compliance with district procedures.

Students who participate in the exchange program stay enrolled with their home district. The Bibb County School District forwards any earned credits back to the student’s home school, where graduation or certification decisions are ultimately made by that school, a district official told The Telegraph.

In response to a question about past exceptions for exchange students, the district official said that the practice has been consistent for students in similar situations since the regulation was enacted.