American High School Diploma
Overview
The British International School – Palestine provides a co-educational, English-language, college preparatory program of studies that culminates in awarding eligible students an American High School Diploma. A holistic education is provided which encourages high standards of academic achievement, meaningful collaboration, and personal development, while supporting the unique needs of each learner. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and well-being. Learning explicitly addresses guided and independent inquiry, skill development, and critical thinking strategies for finding solutions to the complex and inherent challenges in developing a sustainable and peaceful world.
The British International School – Palestine is accredited by Array Global Accreditation. Array Global is fully licensed and approved by all of the legal requirements in the United States. Even more, Array Global is a full member of the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) (see attached documentation), which has the approval from the US Department of Education to approve accreditation agencies. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Department of Homeland Security has approved NCPSA and its members’ schools to be able to accept F-1 Non-Immigrant Foreign Students into their schools upon submitting application materials. Additionally, Array Global has a partnership with the Middle States Association of Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA), which can co-accredit schools with Array Global (see attached documentation). MSA is one of the oldest and most prestigious public and private school accreditors in the USA. MSA is one of six Regional Accreditors in the USA.
We urge students to build connections with the real world so that they can retain new information more quickly and permanently. Our teachers strive to establish successful learning settings that promote stimulating, diverse, and creative thinking. Teachers at BIS use a variety of tactics and resources to address the various requirements of pupils and to assist them in discovering the ‘big ideas’ or concepts that form the world around us.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, the British International School – Palestine is launching the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. AP courses offer students the opportunity to engage in rigorous, college-level coursework across multiple disciplines, including English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. AP students will be challenged to think critically, write analytically, and solve complex problems, preparing them for success in higher education both locally and abroad. This program is designed to support our high-achieving students in standing out during the college admissions process and in qualifying for college credit.
SAT Test Center
The British International School – Palestine is proud to be the only College Board-approved SAT Test Center in the Gaza Strip. This status allows our students, as well as others from across Gaza, to take the SAT exam in a secure and recognized testing environment, facilitating access to international universities and scholarship opportunities.
Credits and Grading
Credit is given for full-year courses. All students will take 7 classes each year. Letter grades are given in all courses. Students are ranked by Year Grades and only grades earned at BIS are used to compile the ranked GPA. Second semester grades can bring a failing grade for the year up to passing. First semester grades cannot bring a failing second semester grade to passing.
BIS High School uses a traditional A–F grading system. Instructors assign mid-course and final grades based on the following criteria: A (Approx. 90–100%): Exceptional understanding of all course outcomes. B (Approx. 80–89%): Solid understanding of all course outcomes. C (Approx. 70–79%): Acceptable understanding of most course outcomes. D (Approx. 60–69%): Some understanding of the most critical course outcomes. P (100–60%): Passing; holds no grade value. F (Below 59%): Insufficient learning demonstrated. IN: Incomplete – major coursework unsubmitted. W: Withdrawn – assigned after prolonged disengagement.
Graduation Requirements
Students who have completed all graduation requirements, including eight semesters of study beyond the eighth grade and a minimum of 26 units of credit, are granted the American High School Diploma. One unit of credit is awarded for successfully completing a course that meets four or five times per week for a full school year, forty or more minutes per session.
High School Graduation Requirements
To graduate from high school, students must complete a minimum of 26 credits with a GPA of at least 1.30. The credit distribution is as follows:
4.0 credits in English Language Arts, 4.0 credits in History/Social Studies, 4.0 credits in Mathematics, 4.0 credits in Science, 1.0 credit in Fine Arts, 2.0 credits in a Language Other Than English, 1.0 credit in Health & Physical Education, 1.0 credit in Practical Arts, and 5.0 elective credits. In addition to these core academic requirements, Arabic Language is a mandatory course for all 9th-Grade students. Furthermore, all students holding a Palestinian passport are required to take Arabic every semester throughout high school in accordance with Ministry of Education regulations. Religious education is also required: all Muslim students must take Islamic Education each semester, while all Christian students must take Christian Education each semester.