Academic Programs

International Baccalaureate 

Decatur High is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School and as such, we offer comprehensive options for students to participate in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), IB Diploma Programme (DP), IB Career-Related Programme (CP), and IB coursework. The options for participation in the programs are outlined below. 

IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

All ninth and tenth-grade students at DHS participate in the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Ninth and tenth-grade courses are designed using the MYP framework, and students are assessed against MYP objectives as well as the state or national standards upon which their courses are based. As a capstone to their MYP Program, all tenth graders complete a Personal Project, which is assessed on the IB criteria for the project and is a promotion requirement.

IB Career/Diploma Programme (CP/DP)

Eleventh and twelfth-grade students at DHS may participate in the Diploma Programme (DP) either as a Diploma Programme Candidate completing the requisite number of required SL and HL courses along with the Diploma Core (TOK, EE, and CAS), as a Career Programme Candidate completing Diploma Programme courses as part of their pathway in tandem with the Reflective Project, or as an Independent Student, completing Diploma Programme coursework that is of interest to them and in meeting with graduation requirements. Diploma Programme courses are designed using the IB Frameworks, and students are assessed against DP objectives as well as applicable state or national standards.

IB Diploma Programme

Students who wish to pursue the IB Diploma Programme take a minimum of six IB DP courses in their eleventh and twelfth-grade years. All IB DP courses are two-year courses, and when students enroll, they are committing to two years of the course. In addition, Diploma candidates complete the DP core, which consists of 1) the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, 2) the Extended Essay (EE), and 3) the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirements. In addition to exams (papers) that students sit for at the end of each two-year course, students must also complete internal assessments for each course. Students who complete all required core elements and earn high enough marks on their papers are awarded the IB Diploma.

IB Career-Related Programme 

The IB Career-related Programme (CP) is designed for students interested in pursuing a career-related education in the final two years at Decatur High School. It provides students with an excellent foundation to support their further studies, as well as ensure their preparedness for success in the workforce. Students who wish to pursue the IB Career Program take a minimum of two IB courses in their eleventh and twelfth-grade years. All IB courses are two-year courses, and when students enroll, they are committing to two years of the course. In addition, Career candidates complete a Career and Technical Education Pathway (three-course sequence) and the CP core, which consists of 1) the Personal and Professional Skills Course (50 hours), 2) the Service Learning (50 hours) requirement, 3) Language Development (50 hours), and 4) a Reflective Project that focuses on their pathway. In addition to exams (papers) that students sit for at the end of each two-year course, students must also complete internal assessments for each course. Students who complete all required core elements and earn high enough marks on their papers are awarded the IB Career Certificate. 

IB Course Candidate (Independent)

Students may also choose to take stand-alone IB courses without participating in one of our two IB programs. All IB courses are two-year courses, and when students enroll, they are committing to two years of the course. In addition to exams (papers) that students sit for at the end of each two-year course, students must also complete internal assessments for each course.

Advanced Placement (AP) 

Decatur High School offers Advanced Placement courses in English, Math, Social Studies, and Computer Science. You can access AP course information on the Academic Development page of the Counseling Section of the DHS website for the most recent listing of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate course offerings. In order to be evaluated for course eligibility, a student must request the desired AP or IB courses in the campus portal during the course request period, which will be detailed in advisement and communicated to parents via email. Once accepted, students must commit to the course in order to get scheduled into it. The course request process takes place in October/November each year for the following school year. When the time comes, the list of AP and IB course options will be made available online.

IB & AP Website

Please visit the AP & IB Programs website for more information

Dual Enrollment (DE)

The program provides opportunities for Georgia high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credits toward a high school diploma. A student who has been accepted by a participating postsecondary institution can take approved courses, full-time or part-time, at colleges, universities, or technical colleges. The student may also receive state funding, postsecondary credit hours, and high school Carnegie units. For additional information, visit: DHS Dual Enrollment

Decatur Career Academy

The Decatur Career Academy (DCA) offers pathways related to in-demand career fields. The training will prepare students for college and/or entry-level employment in a competitive market. Each classroom focuses on hands-on tasks and student-centered learning. The DCA provides students with the training to excel in the workforce. An emphasis is placed on employability (soft) skills to prepare students to participate in work-based learning as a senior in high school. For additional information, visit: DCA

Please visit the DCA website for more information.

Georgia's Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Career Pathways

Georgia’s Department of Education provides students in the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) area the ability to complete pathways: A Pathway is a series of three or four specified courses in a specific subject area. It will take multiple years to complete any pathway because the goal is to provide a deep knowledge base in a particular career area. Toward the end of the final course, students sit for an End of Pathway Assessment to determine student readiness. With the completion of these pathways, students are ready for both entry-level career opportunities and to transition to college. For additional information, visit: Georgia DOE CTAE

Governor’s Honors 

The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) is a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students who will be rising eleventh and twelfth-grade students during the program. The program offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom and that is designed to provide students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders. Students are nominated by their teachers and compete at the county and state levels. Selected students pursue academic interest areas during the summer while residing on a college campus. For additional information, visit: GHP