What Is a U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program?

A U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program allows international students to continue attending their local high school while completing additional U.S. high school coursework toward a U.S. high school diploma.

Instead of leaving their home country or transferring from their local school, students can work toward two educational credentials: their local high school diploma and a U.S. high school diploma.

For students interested in U.S. education or preparing for university opportunities at home or abroad, a dual diploma program can provide an additional academic pathway while allowing them to remain part of their current school community.

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

Students remain enrolled full-time at their local high school and continue completing their local curriculum.

At the same time, they complete required coursework through a U.S. school.

The student's local high school coursework becomes part of the overall academic record used toward the U.S. high school graduation pathway, while the student completes additional required U.S. coursework through the American school.

This allows students to pursue a U.S. high school diploma without replacing their local education.

Do Students Have to Move to the United States?

No. A dual diploma program can allow students to complete their U.S. coursework while continuing to live and attend school in their home country.

This is one of the primary differences between a dual diploma pathway and transferring to a U.S. high school.

Students can maintain their local school experience, friendships, activities, and academic program while adding U.S. coursework to their education.

What Do Students Receive?

Students who successfully complete the graduation requirements of the U.S. school receive an official U.S. high school diploma from that school.

Their U.S. academic record also documents the courses and credits that form their high school graduation pathway.

At Solomon International School, students who fulfill SIS graduation requirements receive an official SIS U.S. High School Diploma and SIS transcript.

Why Do International Students Choose a Dual Diploma Program?

Students and families may choose a U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program for different reasons.

Some want exposure to the U.S. education system while remaining at their local school. Others want to add more academically challenging coursework, strengthen their preparation for university, or build an academic record that includes U.S. high school coursework.

For many families, the flexibility is also important: students can pursue an additional U.S. educational pathway without relocating internationally during high school.

A dual diploma should not be viewed as a guarantee of admission to a particular university. Instead, it is an opportunity to broaden a student's high school education and academic experience.

When Should Students Start?

Starting earlier gives students more time to complete U.S. coursework alongside the demands of their local high school.

At Solomon International School, students may begin the U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program in:

Grade 9 — complete the program over Grades 9–12
Grade 10 — complete the program over Grades 10–12
Grade 11 — complete the program over Grades 11–12

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

Because students are completing two academic pathways at the same time, families should consider the student's academic readiness, English proficiency, schedule, and overall workload before enrolling.

How Do Students Complete Their U.S. Courses?

Different schools may structure dual diploma programs differently.

At Solomon International School, students can complete their SIS coursework through two learning formats:

Teacher-Led Live

Students attend scheduled online classes taught in real time by SIS teachers. Students begin and progress through the course as part of a structured class with scheduled instruction, assignments, assessments, and deadlines.

Self-Paced

Students have greater flexibility in when they complete their coursework. Lessons are recorded by SIS teachers, and each student has an assigned SIS teacher who provides academic oversight, grading, feedback, and support.

Self-Paced students can also receive live academic support through SIS Teacher Connect during designated support hours.

How Is the SIS U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program Structured?

Solomon International School offers two academic pathways within the program:

6-Credit Program
A focused pathway in which students complete required SIS coursework while continuing their local high school education.

10-Credit Program
A broader and more academically challenging SIS course sequence for students seeking additional U.S. coursework and academic rigor.

Both pathways work alongside the student's local high school education and lead toward SIS graduation requirements.

The appropriate pathway depends on the student's grade level, academic goals, previous coursework, and overall academic plan.

Who Can Apply?

Students applying to the SIS U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program must currently be enrolled full-time in a local high school.

SIS admissions requirements include:

• Entry in Grade 9, Grade 10, or Grade 11

• A minimum 3.0 (B) cumulative academic record during the previous two academic years

• A minimum 3.0 (B) in English courses during the previous two academic years

Admissions review helps determine whether the program is appropriate for the student's academic background and readiness.

Is a U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program Right for You?

A dual diploma program may be worth considering if you want to continue at your current school while adding a U.S. high school academic pathway.

Before choosing a program, students and families should consider the additional workload, the courses required, the learning format, the school's graduation requirements, and how the program fits the student's long-term academic goals.

The goal should not simply be to earn an additional diploma. The program should provide meaningful academic experience and preparation that complements the student's existing education.

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

Solomon International School has provided U.S. education since 1994 and offers its U.S. High School Dual Diploma Program to international students who want to pursue a U.S. academic pathway while continuing at their local school.

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