A local school district is working to recruit students and boost enrollment. It sounds typical, until you hear where they plan to find new students.
The answer is China.
The Ann Arbor School District says it may recruit Chinese Students. It is looking at a plan to work with BCC International Education Group. The company brings Chinese students to America to study.
If the plan is approved there will be about 45 Chinese students enrolled in Ann Arbor high schools come fall and in the future as many as 200.
Current students look forward to it.
"You can learn more about China and practice speaking Chinese with them," said Alejandro Moncada, a Huron High School Student.
There is also a financial benefit. The exchange students will pay to come to Ann Arbor Schools to study. The district says all money raised will be used to give students here opportunities.
"We will be able to offer opportunities for our students and our teachers," said Superintendent Jeanice Swift.
She says the money might be used to cut the cost of trips overseas for students and to fund an expansion of the district's language programs.
Other districts have made money from recruiting students from China. Lake Shore High in Saint Clair Shores even has a dorm where exchange students live. The program in Ann Arbor would rely on host families.
It still has to get approval from the school board next week.
