Host Family

All prospective host families are interviewed by the Host Family Coordinator in their homes. They are provided with appropriate orientation, training and regular supervision. All SYA host families go through a background check process. Many of the SYA host families have been hosting for several years, some for over two generations! 

All SYA schools have a dedicated Host Family Coordinator whose job it is to get to know both the families and the students well enough that they can make the best possible match. Host family assignments are made by the Host Family Coordinator in consultation with the Resident Director, utilizing information provided by the student, their parents and host families. Only one student is placed with a host family at a time. Host family assignments are made the summer prior to departure.

The only changes that are allowed during the first few weeks of the school year are for documented medical reasons or other extraordinary circumstances. After that, there is a process for investigating the need for any necessary host family changes during the school year. This process is coordinated by the Host Family Coordinator.