How Does a U.S. High School Dual Diploma Work With a Local School?

A U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program allows students to remain enrolled at their local high school while completing additional coursework through a U.S. school.

Rather than replacing the student's local education, the two academic pathways work together. Students continue their regular studies at their local school while completing the U.S. coursework required for their additional high school diploma.

This structure can give international students access to a U.S. academic pathway without requiring them to transfer schools or move to the United States.

Does a Student Stay Enrolled at the Local School?

Yes. In a dual diploma program, the student continues attending their local high school as a full-time student.

They continue completing their local curriculum, attending classes, participating in school activities, and working toward their local high school diploma.

The U.S. program is completed alongside that education.

This is an important distinction between a dual diploma program and full-time enrollment in a U.S. school. In a full-time U.S. program, the U.S. school becomes the student's primary school. In a dual diploma program, the student remains enrolled at the local school while adding a U.S. academic pathway.

How Do Local High School Credits Fit Into the U.S. Diploma?

A U.S. school offering a dual diploma program reviews the student's previous and ongoing academic record to determine how coursework completed at the local school fits within its graduation requirements.

At Solomon International School, approved coursework from the student's local school becomes part of the student's overall SIS graduation pathway.

Students then complete the additional SIS courses required for their specific program.

This means students do not simply start an entirely separate U.S. high school education from the beginning. Their existing secondary education is considered as part of the academic plan.

Does the Student Receive Two Diplomas?

Students who successfully complete the requirements of both schools may earn two separate diplomas:

• Their local high school diploma

• An SIS U.S. High School Diploma

Each diploma is issued by the school responsible for that educational program.

The student's local school continues to award its own diploma according to its requirements, while Solomon International School awards the SIS diploma to students who successfully fulfill SIS graduation requirements.

What U.S. Courses Does the Student Take?

The courses a student completes through SIS depend on the student's academic pathway, grade level, previous coursework, and graduation plan.

Solomon International School offers two pathways within its U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program:

6-Credit Program

Students complete six SIS credits while continuing their education at their local high school.

Because an SIS high school diploma requires a minimum of 24 total credits, students in this pathway must bring sufficient approved coursework from their local school into their SIS graduation plan.

10-Credit Program

Students complete a broader sequence of SIS coursework alongside their local high school education.

This pathway may be appropriate for students who want more extensive exposure to U.S. high school coursework or whose academic plan requires additional SIS credits.

The appropriate pathway is determined based on the student's academic record and educational goals.

How Do Students Fit U.S. Courses Into Their Local School Schedule?

Managing two academic programs requires planning.

Students must continue meeting the expectations of their local school while also making consistent progress in their SIS courses.

For this reason, SIS offers different learning formats that can accommodate different schedules and learning needs.

Teacher-Led Live

Students participate in scheduled online classes taught in real time by SIS teachers. This format provides a structured class schedule and direct live instruction.

Self-Paced

Students have greater flexibility in deciding when to complete lessons and assignments within the course timeline.

Self-Paced lessons are recorded by SIS teachers, and each student is assigned an SIS teacher for academic oversight, grading, feedback, and support.

Students also have access to live academic support through SIS Teacher Connect during designated support hours.

Does the Local School Need to Change Its Curriculum?

Not necessarily.

The purpose of a dual diploma program is to allow the student to continue the local curriculum while adding required U.S. coursework.

The local school remains responsible for its own curriculum and diploma requirements, while the U.S. school is responsible for its own courses, academic standards, records, and graduation requirements.

This makes it possible for the two educational pathways to operate alongside one another rather than requiring the local school to replace its existing academic program.

When Should Students Begin a Dual Diploma Program?

Because students are completing additional coursework alongside their local high school studies, starting early provides more time to distribute the workload.

At Solomon International School, students may begin the U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program in Grade 9, Grade 10, or Grade 11.

Students who are already in Grade 12 are not eligible to begin the program.

Before enrolling, SIS reviews the student's academic record to help determine the appropriate pathway and whether the student meets the program's admissions requirements.

What Should Families Consider Before Choosing a Dual Diploma Program?

Families should understand exactly how the U.S. program will fit with the student's existing education.

Important questions include:

• How will the student's local coursework be evaluated?

• How many additional U.S. courses will the student need to complete?

• Who teaches and grades the U.S. coursework?

• How will the student balance both academic schedules?

• What are the U.S. school's graduation requirements?

• Which school issues the U.S. transcript and diploma?

• What academic support is available to the student?

A well-structured dual diploma program should provide a clear academic plan showing how the student's local education and U.S. coursework fit together.

Explore the SIS U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program

Solomon International School has provided U.S. education since 1994. The U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program allows eligible international students to continue their local high school education while completing an additional U.S. academic pathway through SIS.

EXPLORE THE U.S. HIGH SCHOOL DUAL DIPLOMA PROGRAM →