Academic pathways through Grades 11 and 12

There are three possible academic pathways through Grades 11 and 12:

1. A High School Diploma

All CIS students work towards achieving a High School Diploma. Upon successful completion of all CIS graduation credit requirements, students will receive a CIS High School Diploma accredited by the United States’ New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC). Some students choose just to work towards a High School Diploma only.

In addition to the High School Diploma, in Grades 11 and 12, students may opt to pursue and, if successfully completed, earn the IB Diploma or an IB Certificate

2. An International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma (plus the CIS High School Diploma)

The majority of our Grade 11 and 12 students work towards achieving an International Baccalaureate Diploma, which is an academically challenging, internationally recognised curriculum, giving access to universities around the world. Students study six subjects, write an Extended Essay, follow a course in Theory of Knowledge and comply with all the CAS requirements.

Whether students ultimately achieve the IB Diploma is determined by exams taken in each of the six subjects at the end of Grade 12 in conjunction with relevant coursework completed throughout the two years. Each course is graded on a 1-7 scale (7 being the highest). A maximum of 45 points can be achieved and a minimum of 24 points are required to earn the IB Diploma.

3. IB Certificate/s (plus the CIS High School Diploma)

Some students might study a number of Diploma Programme Courses (subjects), (between 4 and 6), usually at Standard Level and might follow some, all, or none of the Core Requirements (the Extended Essay, TOK and CAS). In this case, a student will not receive the IB Diploma, but will receive an IB Certificate for subject/s taken at IB examination level. Students taking subjects at High School Diploma level will sit in DP classes, may be given modified assignments, and will take internal examinations set by their teachers.

Some students may choose to work towards a High School Diploma only. Students sit in IB DP classes, but are given modified assignments, and are assessed by their teachers at the end of the two-year programme, rather than via external examinations set by the IB. A High School Diploma is awarded if students complete the credits and courses necessary for graduation, and meet our attendance requirements.

Whether focusing on the full IB Diploma, a number of IB Diploma Courses, or the High School Diploma, students attend the same classes, all at IB DP level and study the same (or modified) DP course material. Therefore this course guide contains descriptions of subjects offered at Diploma Programme level, as essentially, this is what all our Grade 11 and 12 students will be studying.