Welcome! Thank you for your interest in Eastern Mennonite School. We welcome international students and will be happy to talk with you by email or phone. Our International Program Coordinator is Mrs. Barbara Byer.  She may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 540.236.6000 and will be happy to talk to you about any questions you may have.

Admission procedures before you come
The first step to enrollment is to ask any questions about the school that you may have after you have looked at the website and the application.  When you have decided to apply, print out the Application for Admission and send it, with the required documents, to the address at the top of the application.  The school Admissions Committee will review your application and decide if Eastern Mennonite School is a good fit for your educational background and future goals.

Begin the application process early! The time between sending the application until you receive your F-1 visa can be many weeks. Be sure your Application for Admission is completely filled out and all required documents are included when you apply.  You will need to be accepted for enrollment, pay the school fees, receive your I-20, and have an interview at the US Embassy.  Each of these steps takes time.  Please check http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htm for immigration information in several languages.

All international students should take the SAT test in English before applying and send the results to Eastern Mennonite School.  This will give an indication of your knowledge of English and help us to place you in the correct class.  We will also want to interview you via Skype to meet you and get to know you a bit prior to your acceptance for enrollment.

Some fast facts:
Eastern Mennonite School does not have a dormitory so all international students will live with American families unless they make their own arrangements with a local family.  All living arrangements must be approved by the school before moving in.

Students are expected to have good moral behavior.  Students may not drink alcohol or use tobacco.  These are illegal for anyone under age 18. All school policies can be found in the Student Handbook.

An EIS (English for International Students) class will be required until the student is proficient at the high school level in reading and writing English.  New students are encouraged to enroll in Intensive Language Program at the nearby university in the summer before school begins. Apply at http://www.emu.edu/iep/selam.

All students must buy medical insurance through the school unless they can show proof of having other insurance.

Certain immunizations are required by the state.

Required are:
DPT, DTaP or Tdap     -3 doses
MMR Vaccine               -2 doses
Polio                              -3 doses
Tetanus                         -1 dose

In addition, students must have a physical exam. The form to be completed can be found at http://www.mcps.org/admin/stuserv/medical_form.pdf

Full payment is required before the I-20 is sent.

You Eastern Mennonite School Experience!

As an international student you are coming into a new home, a new school and a new culture.  You will have many questions and will have many things to learn.  At EMS we believe it is a good thing to ask questions if you aren’t sure what to do.

Questions
Any adult you see at school will help you find the answer to any question you have.  Please, please ask!!

The Admissions Counselor is the first person you meet at Eastern Mennonite School.  They process your application for admission, submit your I-20 and other enrollment information and prepare for your arrival in the United States.  When you arrive at EMS, you should immediately take your passport and I-94 to the Admissions Counselor to have a copy made.  While you are here, you should talk with the Admissions Counselor if you have questions about anything regarding your I-20, I-94 or passport.  The Admissions Counselor's email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and the phone is 540.236.6021.

If you are in grades 10-12, you will board with a Host Family.  We do not offer boarding for students grade 9 or younger.  Mrs. Barbara Byer, our International Program Coordinator will find you a host family.  You should talk with her about any questions you have related to your living arrangements or any other problem you may have.  You may reach Mrs. Byer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   or 540.236.6000.

For questions about a particular class, always ask the teacher first.

Language
You are expected to speak English while you are in school.  This will help you learn more quickly and it will also let others know you want to make friends.  When in a group or in the hallways, speaking a language others do not understand is considered rude and can make others avoid you.

Joining clubs or sports teams helps you to make friends and will improve your English.  Lunch time is also a good time to converse with American students and get to know them.  Most students will like to talk with you even if you are not confident about your English.

To join a sports team, talk to the coach or any of the PE teachers.

Attendance
Students are expected to be in class every day unless you are too sick to be about.  If you are sick, your host parent must call the school to make arrangements for treatment of your illness.  If you are well enough to be on your computer or reading or writing, you should be in school, unless you have a fever.

If you need to take medication during the school day, take it in the morning to Mrs. Carla Hurst in the Counseling Office on the 2nd floor.  Students are not permitted to carry prescriptions or other medicine in purses or backpacks.  All needed medications must be clearly marked with student name and kept in the Counseling Office until needed.

Listen to all announcements made in the classroom and in the afternoons on the intercom.  Your name may be called to go to the office, or other important information may be given that you will need to know.

Arrival in Harrisonburg and Future Travel

For the school year 2011-2012, international students are expected to arrive in Harrisonburg no earlier than August 18, 2011.  Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) in Weyer's Cave is the closest and most convenient airport to Harrisonburg.  http://www.flyshd.com/  We can also arrange pick up and transportation at Dulles International (IAD) http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/dulles.htm but only for August 18, 2011.  Please ensure that your flight arrives on August 18th either at SHD or IAD.

We request that all future flights to and from the Harrisonburg area be routed through SHD.  If future travel is necessary out of a Washington metropolitan area airport, transportation must be arranged by the student and paid for at the student's expense.

When you arrive on the 18th, give your flight times and numbers to Mrs. Barbara Byer, International Program Coordinator, for your flight home.  Do not schedule flight times that require you to be absent from school.  If there is adequate notice given,  EMS will provide transportation to the airport at the beginning and end of the school year and at Christmas vacation if you travel within one day of the time vacation begins and return before school begins.  If other transportation is needed, you will be required to make your own arrangements.

All travel must be approved while you are a student here.  Do not plan a trip without talking to Mrs. Byer, the International Program Coordinator.

Host family
You are coming into someone’s home and you should make every effort to fit in.  Follow the rules of the house, even though they may be different from what you are used to.  It is always good to ask if you do not understand or know what to do.  Your host family expects you to ask questions.

Always let your host parents know where you are going, who you are with, and when you will be home.  If you are late, call and let them know.  Do not miss a meal without telling your host family ahead of time.

Be honest.  Family relationships are built on trust and if you are honest and open, your family will trust you.  The more you are willing to share your thoughts, plans and ideas, the more your family will feel they can trust you.

If you need a ride to go to an activity be sure to ask as far ahead as possible so your family can plan.  You can help by looking for rides if you know someone who lives near.

Plan to attend church with your host family.  You will get to know more people if you attend Sunday School and also join the youth activities at church.

International high school students may not own or drive cars.

For additional information on making the most of your American educational and boarding experience, contact Mrs. Barbara Byer, International Program Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 540.236.6000.