DIS High School Diploma

The DIS High School Diploma confirms the student's completion of a minimum set of requirements equivalent to an American High School Diploma. Students can qualify for the DIS High School Diploma by earning twenty-four (24) academic credits during grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. Each course at the school is assigned a value of one full credit or one half credit per academic year depending upon the number of classroom hours required. These twenty-four (24) credits must include the following components:

One Credit Per Year

• English: 4 credits

• Mathematics: 3 credits

• Sciences: 3 credits

• Social Sciences: 3 credits

• Non-English language: 3 credits (non-native German speakers must take at least 2 credits of German*)

Half Credit Per Year

• PHE: 1 credit

• Fine Arts: 1 credit

• Academic Electives: 6 additional credits from school-approved courses

For each credit in each course, students must successfully achieve a minimum grade of "3" and attend at least 85% of the scheduled course periods. If a student ends an academic semester with a course grade lower than "3" or has attended fewer than 85% of the periods, then the student may receive no credit for that course in that semester. That course will count toward neither the 24 total credits required, nor the minimum number of credits in that subject; this may lead to students not meeting graduation requirements. Additionally, the student’s total Grade Point Average must equal at least 2.0 on the 4.0-scale.

For students entering DIS after Grade 9, their previous transcripts or report cards will be evaluated for credit equivalents in the DIS system. Students will then be responsible for earning the additional credits necessary for graduation while at DIS.

Core subject courses are offered as standard level and, sometimes, higher level courses. For the IB Diploma students must enrol in at least three higher level courses. For the DIS Diploma no higher level courses are required. Grades earned in higher level courses are converted to the four (4.0)-point scale by adding one additional point.

Aside from the 24 credits of regular coursework required for graduation, students are required to complete a series of lessons based on the Theory of Knowledge course. These lessons are an integral part of the IB Diploma Programme and are a highly valuable component of a well-rounded high school education. Students who wish to graduate with a DIS Diploma but are unable to complete the TOK programme must obtain prior permission for an exclusion from the Principal.

All students must participate in the school's Creativity, Activity and Service programmes (MYP & DP). Students are expected make personal goals, participate in Creative, Active, and Service experiences on a weekly basis, and reflect on their progress, attitudes and learning outcomes. Students must also work collaboratively to research, plan, and complete a yearly project.

As part of the MYP, all students will complete a Personal Project that is completed during Grade 10. This is an independent piece of work that is intended to be the culmination of the student’s development over the course of the MYP. This project is an important indicator of future success in the Diploma Programme as it offers students the opportunity to demonstrate the Approaches to Learning skills they have acquired in the MYP that are so crucial to success in Grades 11 and 12. Students will receive a final grade for the Personal Project that will be included on their Grade 10 report card and on their transcript. Completion of the Personal Project is a requirement for fulfillment of the Grade 10 academic year for all students who were present at DIS before or at the beginning of Grade 10 and to achieve German recognition. Success in the Personal Project is an important factor in considering applications to Grades 11 and 12, failure to meet the requirements could result in students not being accepted into their chosen pathway.

* Exceptions to this requirement may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Prior approval for an exception must be obtained through the Principal.

Important: in order to gain German recognition for the IB Diploma, students must also meet all the DIS High School Diploma Requirements.