High School Diploma
The International School of Helsinki is accredited by the The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). As a result, we are able to offer students who meet our requirements a high school diploma. This is recognised in the same way that a high school diploma from any high school in the United States would be recognised. Many students who earn the ISH High School (HS) Diploma matriculate to university and other higher education opportunities.
All ISH graduating students receive an HS Diploma; students who earn an IB Diploma automatically meet the requirements of the HS Diploma.
While the High School Diploma has some requirements, there is a greater degree of flexibility available. As a result, a student can use the High School Diploma to target their strengths as a learner. Likewise, a student who has a strong sense of their future path can create a diploma that matches their ambitions. This can be done through more flexible course choices or one or more of the ISH Diploma+ options.
Because of the credit requirements, most HS Diploma students are able to take fewer classes in grade 12, and sometimes grade 11 as well. Discussions with Mark Kilmer will help clarify this.
High School students are usually in the same classes as the IB Diploma students. They follow the same units of study as the Standard Level IB Diploma students, although the assessment will be somewhat different and assessed by the teacher, not the IB.
HS Diploma requirements
HS Diploma graduation requirements are based on credits: one credit represents a full year (two semesters) of passing a course (3 or better). When a student begins the HS Diploma, we identify what credits have already been earned and how we anticipate remaining credits can be earned in the DP. So for instance, two credits of many of these requirements will have been earned in grades 9-10.
These requirements are to be completed in four years (grades 9-12):
English: 4 credits
maths: 3 credits
other languages: 2 credits
individuals and societies: 2 credits
science: 2 credits
art/design/ICT: 2 credits
PE/health: 2 credits
CAS: completion
Senior project: completion
other credits: 7 credits
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Total credits needed: 24 credits
ISH Diploma+
The flexibility of the High School Diploma allows students options for how they can earn credits. Here are four of the Diploma+ options.
+ IB courses
High School students can take any number of IB courses at either the Standard Level or Higher Level without doing the entire IB Diploma programme. Speak to your teacher and Mr Kilmer if you are interested.
+ Independent studies
High school students can take courses from other organisations, either online or in the community. We will give graduation credit for these courses upon completion.
+ Portfolio
For students with specific creative interests, it might be possible to receive credit for creating a portfolio fo work outside of the classes you are taking, in music or programming, for instance.
+ Experience
The school might be able to provide chances to contribute to different parts of the school in a regular, scheduled manner: working with the Lower School, in the library, with support staff, for instance. In addition, if students are able to find work experience opportunities outside the school, they can earn credit for that experience as well.
HS Diploma & future planning
Can I go to university with a HS Diploma?
In North America, the High School Diploma will be recognised as an equivalent to the national diploma, although an external exam (like SATs) might also be required.
In Europe, the HS Diploma is more likely to be recognised by universities of applied science than research universities, almost always with an external exam, like the SATs or in Finland the International UAS exam. In some countries, the HS Diploma will allow entry to a foundation course: a pre-university year that leads to a degree program.
Can I go to university by just meeting the basic requirements a HS Diploma?
Not necessarily. All of our students need to meet with the counsellor and coordinator to make sure the diploma they are earning meets the needs of their future plans. For instance, many students will want to take more than the minimum credits in science and languages. Others will want to use the other credits as a way to have some practical work experience. Many universities will require an external exam, like the SAT.