Rapid growth in the number of globally mobile tertiary students has drawn attention to a developing pipeline of secondary school students over the past decade. Trends in international secondary student enrollment offer insights into international students’ interest in studying in the United States and highlight one potential pathway to U.S. higher education institutions. While international secondary students in the United States represent a recruitment opportunity for U.S. colleges and universities, U.S. high schools and their surrounding communities benefit from hosting secondary exchange students.
This paper examines the international secondary student enrollment trends in the United States over the past decade, noting the slower recovery of the secondary student market following the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses differences in the trends between secondary students participating in a cultural exchange program and those seeking a U.S. high school diploma. Finally, a case study featuring the Academic Year in America program shares how U.S. high schools and their communities contribute to international understanding and the impact of their efforts.