Pope John Paul II High School welcomes international students, who enrich our school community with a diversity of ideas and experience. Interested international students must complete the full application process for an F-1 Visa as well as an application for admission. To assist in the application process, review our checklist link below.
In the past we have welcomed students from China, Germany, Venezuela, Bolivia, and South Korea. We look forward to welcoming students from any country as we continue to broaden our cultural exchange.
STEP 1: Items needed to be considered for admission
- International Student Application Online Form or download the International Student Application Form as PDF
- $100 USD Application Fee
- Student’s Letter of Introduction
- Official Transcript from previous three years of school
- Transcript Translation to English
- Letter of Reference from a Principal or Administrator
- Letter of Reference from a Teacher
STEP 2: Items due upon acceptance to JPII
- Copy of student passport
- Parent Agreement Form
- International Student Registration Form
- $600 USD Registration Fee
- Tuition & Fees Agreement Form
- School Rules Form
- Technology Policy Form
- Home Placement Information Form
- Insurance Agreement Form
STEP 3: Form I-20
JPII will forward your Form I-20. You MUST use the Form I-20 to get your F-1 Visa. You MUST carry both of these forms on your person as you travel into the United States.
STEP 4: Items due 5 weeks prior to arrival in USA
- Health Immunization Form
- Copy of Medical Insurance Card
- Student Care Agreement Form
- Power of Attorney for Emergency Medical Care Form
If you have any questions about the process or forms, feel free to contact us at info@popejp2hs.org. We look forward to welcoming you to the JPII Family!
Inspiring JPII International Student Stories
Glismarly Aguilar
Glismarly, “Glis”, from Caracas Venezuela was given a visa for a 5-year stay in our country and arrived in Olympia in January, 2015 to improve her English as a participant in the International EF program at The Evergreen State College. That’s when she started her search for a local high school to attend. It was the small size of JPII that attracted her attention and she enrolled.
“I thought America would be cold and people wouldn’t care about anyone but when I got here even the bus driver smiled at me”.
“I’m very glad I ended up coming here. It’s a cool community. Teachers are interested about the students and are concerned about everyone here. They care!”
This fall, Glis will continue her studies at South Puget Sound Community College. “I’m from a big city and I love Seattle,” she says. “I want to become a dentist.”
Hanshu “Coco” Wang
Hanshu, “Coco” Wang came from a traditional Chinese home. She says she got the name “Coco” in 1st grade from an American at her school “because of the way I wore my hair up in a fountain and liked to drink from a straw.”
Coco says she had always dreamed of going to America and when her parents presented her with the opportunity to attend a high school in the U.S.A. This was a great offer she simply couldn’t turn down. She’s been here now for 3 years, living with host families through an exchange program that selected a school for her.
At first, says Coco, “I was a little scared to attend JPII because I’m not from a Catholic background but my father told me not to worry because I would be getting a good education.”
Coco says she thought she’d stay at JPII for just one year and then transfer to a larger school; but, after months of comparing options she decided to stay and graduate from JPII.
“Here, compared to China, I have the right to choose my own courses and create more space for the development of my personal interests.”
Marcelo Mendoza
Marcelo Mendoza, 19, arrived at JPII his senior year. He came to us from an orphanage in Bolivia. Each year one student from his home is selected to study abroad. Sponsored through the Highlands Bolivian Mission, Marcelo has spent time in Atlanta, Georgia and then North Carolina.
Now that he’s a JPII 2016 graduate, Marcelo says he must return to Bolivia and spend one year in the military – a requirement of his country’s government. “After I complete my service I hope to go to college. I want to become a computer engineer,” he says.
It surprised Marcelo when at the end of the first day of school other students said goodbye and told him that they looked forward to seeing him later.
“People are nice here. They come to you and talk to you and include you in activities.”
This ease in interaction and social acceptance changed his life.
“I (also) improved my English while I was here. When I first arrived I understood about 3% of what I was hearing and now I believe I understand about 60% of the English I hear spoken,” he says.
