The Medallion Member School Program is a recognition that the U.S. Department of State has created for schools that enroll a U.S. Department of State-sponsored scholarship student. These future leaders participate in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), and Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs. Host schools help build diplomatic bridges with other nations by leaving positive, lasting impressions of the United States on their exchange students.
The recognition comes in two parts. First, the schools are granted access to a digital medallion that they can place on their website, their school profile, their weekly newsletter, signage, or their email signatures as a way to highlight their commitment to academic and cultural enrichment for their students and community. AFS-USA sends an email to school principals in the fall (~October) for academic year placements and in the spring (~February/March) for semester-only students.
The second part of this recognition is a physical certificate. Starting in spring 2024, the certificates from the U.S. Department of State are arriving in April. This allows our sponsored programs students to arrange to be part of the recognition of their school. Students are being mailed the certificates which cannot be reprinted. Host families, liaisons, school representatives, and team chairs are also being notified so that they may provide support to these students who may need some assistance in finding an appropriate method for recognizing the school. Suggestions include:
- Attend and speak at a local school board meeting.
- Present the certificate to the building principal.
- Present the certificate to the local Parent-Teacher Organization.
- Present the certificate to the teachers and school leaders at a faculty meeting.
- Present the certificate to school leaders at an all-school assembly.
More information about the Medallion Member School Program can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website here (scroll to the bottom of the page).