All students who complete Grade 12 and earn the required credits will graduate with the award of OFS High School Diploma.
This diploma program is accredited by an outside body, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is recognised around the world.
Four years (8 semesters) of High School attendance are normally needed with a minimum of 22 credits earned in Grades 9-12 to gain the OFS Diploma. One credit is awarded for successful completion of a full-year course.
90% attendance is also required in each course.
Graduation is allowed only in Grade 12.
The minimum 22 credits must be earned as follows:
If a student already began his/her High School education elsewhere he/she may apply to transfer up to a maximum of 7.5 credits per year when he/she joins Overseas Family School.
Such transfer of credits is at the discretion of the Principal in consultation with the parents.
The High School Diploma requires the following elements:
Advantages: more flexible; a schedule can be created that is very rigorous or that is less demanding.
Disdvantages: not as familiar to university systems outside of North America; most universities would require students to supplement the High School Diploma with tests, most commonly the SAT/ACT.
The IB Diploma requires 6 academic subjects, five of which must come from the following areas:
The IB Diploma also has the following compulsory elements:
After the add/drop period there can be no changes in the subject matter of the program.
Advantages: rigorous, recognised as a highly academic and demanding program, which would be looked for by competitive universities; recognised by university systems worldwide.
Disdvantages: comparatively inflexible, very demanding of time, effort, academic ability, and of organisation skills; demands that a student cope reasonably well with a broad range of subject areas.