School Qualifications
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High School Diploma or IB?
US academic qualifications are different from the UK’s. Children work towards gaining a High School Diploma when they leave High School. For those seeking to continue educating their children in the British system the British School of Washington is able to offer iGCSE’s. The IB (International Baccalaureate) syllabus is accepted by all British universities and is taught at the British School, Washington International School (private), Bethesda/Chevy Chase High School (state) and Richard Montgomery High School (state). The IB qualifies the student for entry to all British universities.
Particularly good advice for parents with children aged 15-18 in the US state system is found here.
Particularly good advice for parents with children aged 15-18 in the US state system is found here.
The High School Diploma
Usually 20 credits are required, of which 4 must be in English, 2 in mathematics, 3 in social studies (one must be US history), and the remainder in optional subjects known as ‘electives’. One credit is equal to one course of a subject studied for one full academic year with a minimum attainment grade of‘D’. Previous education and progress can entitle a child to a certain number of credits.
UK documentation – It is essential you bring fully documented evidence from your child’s Headteacher of courses and subjects studied over the past 3 years with arithmetic, algebra, geometry, biology, physics and chemistry listed separately.
In addition evidence of the amount of time studied in each subject (e.g. 4 lessons per week of 45 minutes for 2 years) is required. The typical UK school reports will not enable your child to gain the desired credits, as they are not detailed enough to provide evidence of time spent studying and level attained.
It should be noted that a High School Diploma is NOT equivalent to‘A’ levels and therefore does not qualify a student for entry into a UK university. However gaining several “Advanced Placement Studies” can be an acceptable qualification for UK universities. It is best to seek advice from UK universities.
High School Graduation Diploma – generally considered comparable to GCSE standard (grades A, B and C) provided an average of at least C is obtained in subjects which have counterparts in the GCSE syllabus. Students who have completed an academic programme (college prep., indicated by a ‘p’ after the subject on the transcript; an ‘h’ indicates honours) exceeding the required units (sometimes called Carnegie Units), and who are considered eligible for admission to prestigious American colleges and universities, may be considered to satisfy the general entrance requirements of British higher education institutions.
Students who have not completed an academic high school programme normally need to have studied for one or two years at an accredited American college or university before satisfying the general entrance requirements.
However, some British higher education institutions will consider high school graduates whose qualifications include a good performance in the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), usually not less than 500 in verbal and mathematical performance, plus SAT II (formerly achievement tests) in three subjects, or Advanced Placement Tests, in at least two, but preferably three or four subjects with marks of three and above.
The State of Maryland requires students to complete four years of approved course work beyond 8th grade in order to graduate. During these years students earn credits toward graduation. Each one-semester (half-year) course that is completed successfully (with a grade A-D) earns the students one half credit.
Students may take five or more courses each semester and with two semesters each year, the student may earn five or more credits yearly. Most students take more than five courses each semester and earn more than 22 credits during grades 9 through 12.
UK documentation – It is essential you bring fully documented evidence from your child’s Headteacher of courses and subjects studied over the past 3 years with arithmetic, algebra, geometry, biology, physics and chemistry listed separately.
In addition evidence of the amount of time studied in each subject (e.g. 4 lessons per week of 45 minutes for 2 years) is required. The typical UK school reports will not enable your child to gain the desired credits, as they are not detailed enough to provide evidence of time spent studying and level attained.
It should be noted that a High School Diploma is NOT equivalent to‘A’ levels and therefore does not qualify a student for entry into a UK university. However gaining several “Advanced Placement Studies” can be an acceptable qualification for UK universities. It is best to seek advice from UK universities.
High School Graduation Diploma – generally considered comparable to GCSE standard (grades A, B and C) provided an average of at least C is obtained in subjects which have counterparts in the GCSE syllabus. Students who have completed an academic programme (college prep., indicated by a ‘p’ after the subject on the transcript; an ‘h’ indicates honours) exceeding the required units (sometimes called Carnegie Units), and who are considered eligible for admission to prestigious American colleges and universities, may be considered to satisfy the general entrance requirements of British higher education institutions.
Students who have not completed an academic high school programme normally need to have studied for one or two years at an accredited American college or university before satisfying the general entrance requirements.
However, some British higher education institutions will consider high school graduates whose qualifications include a good performance in the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), usually not less than 500 in verbal and mathematical performance, plus SAT II (formerly achievement tests) in three subjects, or Advanced Placement Tests, in at least two, but preferably three or four subjects with marks of three and above.
The State of Maryland requires students to complete four years of approved course work beyond 8th grade in order to graduate. During these years students earn credits toward graduation. Each one-semester (half-year) course that is completed successfully (with a grade A-D) earns the students one half credit.
Students may take five or more courses each semester and with two semesters each year, the student may earn five or more credits yearly. Most students take more than five courses each semester and earn more than 22 credits during grades 9 through 12.
Marks and grades
An increasing number of states and schools are raising minimum requirements to 18 or more units before a diploma can be awarded.
Grades
A- Excellent
B- Good
C- Average
D- Pass
F- Fail
Students entering higher education would generally need a minimum or grade C or better in the High School Graduation Diploma.
Grades
A- Excellent
B- Good
C- Average
D- Pass
F- Fail
Students entering higher education would generally need a minimum or grade C or better in the High School Graduation Diploma.
International GCSE
iGCSE qualifications are offered at The British School and may, from time to time be offered at other independent schools.
