High School Diploma Programme

General High School Diploma Information

(relevant for all Grade 11 & 12 Graduation Pathways at IGBIS)

Every student at IGBIS is completing a High School Diploma (HSDP) during the last four years of school as we are a credit-based programme in which the completion of the HSDP is a graduation requirement. This means that all IGBIS students in the IB Diploma Programme and/or the IB Career-related Programme also complete a High School Diploma on top of their IB Diplomas and courses. 

The IGBIS HSD is designed to meet the graduation requirements that are common to high schools in the United States of America and can allow students to apply to most post-secondary programmes as our HSD is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (please visit our Accreditation page for more information on those organisations). 

Requirements 

The requirements for graduation and attainment of the IGBIS High School Diploma include:

1. Earn 24 credits over 4 years (Grade 9-12) in the required courses
2. Complete the DP, CP or HSD Core 
3. Satisfy the school Attendance Policy (average of 85% in the last four years of school and each individual year; extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from reaching this requirement may be waived by the Head of School in writing.)

In any MYP, DP, HSD or CP class, students must attain a minimum year-long grade of 3 (or pass) in order to successfully gain a credit in that course/subject. IGBIS HSD students can take IBDP courses from every subject group, but must take into consideration the credit requirements in the diagram below. Prior academic performance will be used to identify which IBDP courses are appropriate for each student. 

Recognition of Transfer Credits

Students who have transferred into IGBIS in Grades 10 and 11 are awarded credit based on a review of the academic results from their previous school. 

DP Courses & High School Diploma Pathway 

This pathway gives students flexibility in their programme and caters to the needs, strengths and aspirations of the individual student. 

Subjects 

There are six different subject groups and within each subject group, there are a number of different courses. Students make their particular selections based on a variety of factors. Each student will take 4-6 subjects at a High school level, DP standard level (SL) or DP higher level (HL). At IGBIS, we generally recommend most students to take 5 subjects and at least two to three of them at DP SL or HL. Students are required to take an English and a Maths course. 

DP HL and SL courses differ in scope, but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skill at the higher level. Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours, while higher-level courses comprise 240 teaching hours.

Subjects at high school level allow the scope and sequence and assessment to accommodate for the students needs and strengths. High school level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. 

Please note that DP SL subjects are also offered for High School Diploma credit on a needs basis. At IGBIS, the course offerings can vary annually depending on student interest, but we currently offer the following courses: