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Exchange Students and International Students at BHS

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How do I enroll my nephew from Norway?

Feb 2011

My nephew is eager to come to Berkeley High from Norway and live with us (in Berkeley) for the academic year 2011-2012. He wants to take a pretty heavy academic load. From what I have learned from the high school and the admissions office on Allston, we can not enroll him until he actually arrives in Berkeley in August. Therefore, he will not be able to take part of the lottery that happens next month. My question is how do exchange students handle getting classes that they want? Is there some organization that helps the children of visiting professors? Any help understanding how to navigate would be much appreciated. Trying to be a helpful aunt


Roughly 200 new students register for classes at Berkeley High in late August. You will enroll your student at the district (1835 Allston Way) and then register at Berkeley High. After an English language test (if the student speaks a language other than English at home) your student will have an appointment with a counselor to select classes. It is a four step process and it does take a few weeks so as soon as your nephew arrives you should start. Don't worry, it will work out and he will have many good classes. Janet Huseby
Hello, Your nephew will find he is one of many exchange students who enjoy a semester or a year at Berkeley High, and it's great that you're willing to host him for the year. It is, however, likely to be true that you cannot pre-enroll him this February/March, when most incoming students engage in the registration process, as the students themselves need to be present for the registration (but not for pre-enrollment, which you do with your paperwork). So he is likely to go into the lottery once he arrives in August, and that does mean that he is less likely to have his first choice of the six learning communities, and that may affect what classes he has access to. You didn't mention what grade he is going into, though...it could be that if he's going into an upper grade, there might be space available in programs that don't have as much space for freshmen....hard to say.

As to his wanting to take a heavy load, if you mean that he needs specific classes in order to match his requirements back home in Norway, I suppose that could be one way that perhaps the administration might be persuaded to allow him into a specific learning community (probably Academic Choice) which would give him more latitude in terms of choosing classes. But there's no guarantee. Another option might be for him to take some classes at Berkeley High, and some through Berkeley City College, if the class he wants isn't available in his learning community. You might ask Kristen Glenchur, the VP who was in charge of the lottery last year (don't know if she is this year). Be patient while waiting for an answer - she has a huge work load.

There is a ''newcomer'' group at Berkeley High, but it's meant for English learners, and I doubt your nephew needs that kind of assistance. Otherwise, the PTSA, the volunteer coordinator, the parent resource center are there to help you...and for your nephew, be sure he gets the list of BHS clubs and sports in case some pique his interest - joining a club, team, or other interest group is the best way to quickly make friends at Berkeley High! Natasha Beery, Berkeley High PTSA President


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this page was last updated: Nov 6, 2011


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