International Students

Central Christian School is excited to partner with American Homelife International (AHLI). AHLI works with young people desiring cultural experiences and education from a faith-based perspective. They have served more than 15,000 students over the past 30 years. Critical for student success, AHLI’s strength is the unparalleled ability to provide Christian host families that offer a safe, secure, and nurturing home environment for the students.
For inquiries, please email AHLI amhomelife@amhomelife.org or fill out this form.
Meet Central's Area Student Coordinator
The Central community is blessed to have Katie Immel (CCS Class of '97) serving as our Area Student Coordinator for American Home Life International (AHLI).
Katie and her husband, Ryan (CCS Class of '97), attend Smithville Mennonite Church. Their three children and daughter-in-law are all Central graduates; Anthony and Megan ('19), Julie ('21), and Mallory ('24).
Katie's role as Area Student Coordinator includes enrolling and approving homestay families, matching students with families, and supporting students and families by checking in regularly. She also provides advocacy and mediation as needed, coordinates student outings and provides 24/7 support for questions, challenges and emergencies. She feels grateful to be a part of the AHLI program to help share the love of Jesus with students that God brings into our Central family!
Become a Host Family
Interested in sharing life, faith and culture with an international student?
We are working on building our roster of Christian host families with AHLI and are excited to offer this opportunity as a new and exciting way to broaden our own horizons as well as build relationships with students who God brings to our community! To find out more information or start the process of becoming an approved host family, visit Host Families - American Home Life International, Inc. or contact Area Student Coordinator Katie Immel at katiei@amhomelife.org.
Student Testimonials
"People here make Central special for me. I feel that all the teachers in this school are very friendly and very patient with the students, and they are very willing to help me when I have problems. The students here are also very enthusiastic. They invite you to be part of their group.
It was easy to get involved and get to know people. Students can choose to join their favorite clubs and sports activities to better know people who share their interests. For example, I joined the ski club and the tennis team. I made many friends during these two activities and they were all very friendly."
-Jiarui Zhang, Class of 2024, China
"I was nervous about transferring schools during high school, because being a new student without knowing anyone was a new experience. The staff members at Central made transferring during high school easier, they were very kind to me and guided me.
It’s been easy to get involved this year because the teachers and staff are very kind and the students are respectful and friendly. I didn’t participate in sports before, but I was encouraged to play soccer and basketball and it has been the best experience of my life by far.
Central is an amazing place and I am glad I transferred because I have learned many things, met many people, and it is fun to spend time at school. I would recommend other students transfer to Central to also make friends who will encourage them to do things they may never have done and it will be the best experience of your life."
-John Castillo Gago, Class of 2024, Nicaragua
"In my country, the process of learning is very different than Central Christian. There are many opportunities at Central to explore what gifts you have and how to apply them. It’s not just testing. New students who come to Central will quickly realize that their teachers and classmates care about their success.”
-Ethan Choi, Class of 2020, South Korea
“I was not only able to learn in classrooms, but also get a lot of advice from teachers and staff members. This was so precious to me because I needed good guidance when my parents were not around. Even though it was only for one year, Central raised me well, and I feel so proud. It felt very safe, very much like I was a part of the family.”
-Yicheng Wang, Class of 2017, China
"The biggest impression Central made on me was through strong faculty and student relationships, in and out of the classroom. I've never attended a school where teachers care so much about each student's individual progress. Central's faculty are gifted with relating to students and offering different methods of motivation, helping to develop students' spiritual lives, as well as gaining academic results.
The faculty at Central showed me great examples of true love for God, and how to be more humble. I am thankful I was able to learn more about humility and love for our God through Central's faculty; attributes I now value the most in my life."
-Min Goo Kang, Class of 2014, South Korea