American High School Diploma

The British International School – Palestaine 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 – Palestaine 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 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. 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 use a traditional A-F grading system. Instructors assign mid-course and final grades based on the following criteria: A Approximate average of 90-100% Student effectively demonstrated exceptional understanding of all course outcomes. All coursework was completed at a high level of quality and in a timely fashion. B Approximate average of 80-89% Student effectively demonstrated solid understanding of all course outcomes. All coursework was completed at a solid level of quality and usually in a timely fashion. C Approximate average of 70-79% Student demonstrated acceptable understanding of most course outcomes. All coursework was completed in a reasonably timely fashion. D Approximate average of 60-69% Student demonstrated some understanding of the most critical course outcomes. All major coursework was completed. P 100-60% Student achieved passing grades for the course. Holds no grade value but does indicate that the student has met the requirements necessary to pass the course. F Approximate average of below 59% Student has not demonstrated sufficient learning to earn credit for the course. Student work was consistently of poor quality. IN Incomplete Major coursework left uncompleted. Final grade is withheld until sufficient coursework is complete and submitted. Temporary F assigned W Withdrawn Student officially withdraws from the class within one month after last engagement. Final F assigned two months after last engagement. Class Names The following terms are used for each class: Grade 9 Freshman Grade 10 Sophomore Grade 11 Junior Grade 12 Senior 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 – English Language Arts (4.0 credits) – History / Social Studies (4.0 credits) – Mathematics (4.0 credits) – Science (4.0 credits) – Fine Arts (1.0 credit) – Language Other Than English (2.0 credits) – Health & Physical Education (1.0 credit) – Practical Arts (1.0 credit) – Electives (5.0 credits) Total: 26 credits (Min. GPA: 3.0) Arabic language is a required course for all 9th grade students. All students holding a Palestinian passport must take Arabic every semester throughout High School as per Ministry of Education regulations.  All Muslim students are required to take Islamic Education every semester as per Ministry of Education regulations.  All Christian students are required to take Christian Education every semester as per Ministry of Education regulations.