High School (Grades 9 - 12)

The IB Diploma Programme is recognized worldwide as an outstanding preparation for university studies. Furthermore, its philosophy and Learner Profile align with and reinforce our school's Core Values.

The High School years will prepare students for challenging external examinations while continuing to promote effective communication skills as well as the qualities possessed by true global citizens. These will be accomplished by:

• Providing students with a wide range of learning strategies that address diverse learning; styles and the unique academic needs of each individual;
• Reinforcing the importance of culture, identity and sense of self;
• Creating opportunities for students to collaborate with each other, so they continue to recognize and appreciate the importance of teamwork and team building;
• Further developing effective communication skills that transcend nationality and embrace open-mindedness and diversity;
• Establishing a learning environment that is conducive to building self-confidence and appreciating the intrinsic value of all members of the school community.

Paths to Graduation

Our school currently provides three pathways towards graduation: the IB Diploma, the NAISR Academic Diploma and the NAISR General Diploma. Students may pursue any one of these or both the NAISR Academic and the IB Diplomas. Most NAISR graduates move on to university or their next level of higher education.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma requires a demanding, pre-university course of study that leads to external examinations. The IB Diploma Programme follows a comprehensive, two-year international curriculum that aims to have students share an academic experience emphasizing critical thinking, intercultural understanding and the exposure to a variety of perspectives. To receive an IB Diploma, students must accrue a minimum of 24 points. The maximum possible number of points is 45 – a maximum of 7 points for each subject group and a maximum of 3 points for Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and the Extended Essay. In addition, students are required to fulfill the requirements of the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) component of IB Diploma studies. Three courses are taken at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).

The NAISR Academic Diploma is the culmination of a challenging, university-preparatory programme for students who plan to pursue higher education upon graduation. Courses include a range of offerings in English, modern languages, social studies/history, sciences, mathematics, art and a variety of electives. A minimum of 24 credits is required to graduate with an NAISR Academic Diploma. One year of coursework in one subject area = one credit. An NAISR Academic Diploma is a minimum requirement for acceptance to universities in the United States and Canada. This diploma will also meet the requirements for acceptance to various higher education courses in Europe.

The NAISR General Diploma provides an appropriately challenging and flexible programme for students who benefit from substantial learning support and an individualised programme. A variety of courses are available to support student success in reaching individual, post-secondary goals. Students who earn a General Diploma should meet the requirements for admission to vocational training courses after graduation from NAISR. 

Before deciding on one of our three diploma options, it is important for parents and students to research university requirements for institutions in which they may be interested.

You can also learn more about the High School at NAISR by reviewing the Secondary School Handbook.