Would studying abroad for a year in high school boost application?
No
By itself? No. But it may make an interesting essay topic (albeit hardly a unique one).
My daughter studied abroad for approximately a semester in high school. I don’t think that it made any difference at all in her university applications. It was however a very positive experience, and boosted her already strong second language skills. I think that it might have made her more confident about going “slightly abroad” (from the US to Canada) for university.
We also hosted a couple of exchange students and that also was a very positive experience.
IMHO you should decide whether to do this without considering how it would look to universities.
I agree with DadTwoGirls. Studying abroad shouldn’t be decided upon lightly or to boost college apps—especially as a high school student.
It’s also worth considering that nothing beside (maybe) a McAurthur Genius grant or an Olympic medal will really guarantee you entry into a specific college. Study abroad because you want experience a new culture or learn a language. Wait until college to do it if you want s little more freedom and autonomy while you’re at it. Being 5000 miles from home for 5 months was hard enough for me at 20, I know I wouldn’t have been ready in high school. You may be totally ready to go, but consider that waiting until you’re in university gives you a bigger range of opportunities (langue study, scholarships, internships, normal study, service learning, research) and the autonomy that comes with simply being an adult.
Don’t do it for the application boost. But if you do it, because so few students do it and it provided you with lots of useful skills, insights and stories, it helps in many ways. Colleges know that it means you’re independent and self directed (not living at home), adaptative (cultural shock), likely bilingual and if not bicultural at least aware of cultural differences, a risk taker and passionate about something. All of that adds up to very positive aspects to your application. However, it’s really hard, so doing it just for a boost is not likely to end well - because yes if you flame out colleges will hold it against you.
Hahaha, I already am studying abroad, I have been since September and come home in June! Trust me, I didn’t do it for the application at all, I was just curious as to how to best demonstrate my experience when applying (like through essays and stuff I guess). @MYOS1634 @indiesnotebook @DadTwoGirls
Also, would they hold my grades up to as a high of a standard? At home I am a straight-A student, but it’s a bit harder to do well when your not fluent in the language 
I am passing all my classes at least, and have the A equivalent in most, but like Spanish language and lit (like the course for kids who have been speaking Spanish since they were born) is a bit harder and I’m not doing amazing in it. I hope that this would be understandable to colleges.
Yes this would be understandable.
Where are you studying?
Try to think of it m, not as school per semester, but as a giant EC… An immersion in another culture and language that promote personal growth.