Spanish or French HS Diploma

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booboo14
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Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 8:55 am

Spanish or French HS Diploma

Post by booboo14 »

In two years, I am thinking of retiring in either Spain or France. My child would have to finish the last two years of HS there. Probably IB. I am just wondering how would a HS Diploma be awarded? Would they factor in past report cards?

If the previous two years were not the IGSCE, would that exclude A-Levels as an option?

Would my child need to pass a French or Spanish language requirement?

Thanks
PsyGuy
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Location: Northern Europe

Response

Post by PsyGuy »

It depends on the DS (Im assuming being retired you would not be working at an IS and so would not want to pay tuition/fees) and the transcript. If its IB than its entering into DIP assuming its an open DIP program and they will want to see high marks reflected on the transcript before admitting them into the DIP if its selective. Its not that much different for Spain or France. Both regions have a Baccalaureate program that is a P16 SLL program (there is also the EB, European Baccalaureate). Both univ. prep programs have a core component and then a specialist track. Both programs have externally moderated exams.
As long as they are coming from an IS thats accredited they shouldnt have much problem getting into a senior school program. They might lose a few credits as some courses are counted as electives as opposed to courses meeting program requirements.

Its up to the IS if your going to enroll in a BS and take A*. I cant see a BS not admitting a student to 6th form and not allowing them to sit for A* and if they did grant such an admission I cant see the LW accepting it. You can also sit for A* as a private candidate.

Both Spanish and French language are part of the core components of their respective programs.
booboo14
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 8:55 am

Re: Spanish or French HS Diploma

Post by booboo14 »

Thank you for your response. It would be for a private school, most probably the DP. But does completing the DP get you a High School Diploma? Or would other credits have to be made up?
PsyGuy
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Reply

Post by PsyGuy »

@booboo14

It depends on the IS and their curriculum. The IB DIP does culminate in an option for a SLL (a "HS Diploma" is an SLL certificate) called the International Baccalaureate. Not everyone gets the Bach though. You can just get course certificates. To obtain the IB Bach you need to pass CAS, TOK, and EE, you also need a minimum of 24 points out of your six courses/exams with at least 12 from your HL courses (top 3 if the student takes 4 courses at HL) and 9 from your remaining (assuming 3) SL courses. There are some other requirements but thats the cupcake minus the sprinkles of it.
Some ISs run more than one curriculum. An NC along with IB for example. In some of those cases the IB might be open and in other ISs it might be selective (more of an honors program). In those cases if you dont do their IB program you may complete an NC or other curriculum and end up with an SLL certificate thats called a diploma.

In general (with very broad strokes) a P16 (Post 16 Years of Age) SLL (School Leaving Level) certificate, whatever its called is generally considered equivalent in terms of meeting the minimum requirements for admission to tertiary/higher learning predominately at Uni. They also meet the typical definition of a secondary or senior school graduate as described at level 3 on the UK qualification framework.
If you really wanted a "High School Diploma" you would need to find an IS that offered such a curriculum and title of certificate or possibly transfer to a DS/IS that conferred that title of certificate with hopefully as little loss in courses as possible.
Over the course of the final two years of secondary edu it would not be very pragmatic to enroll in an IS/DS that didnt offer an SLL certificate you would want only to attempt a transfer so close to program completion at another IS/DS. You would be better off co-enrolling in an online high school that awarded a "High School Diploma" than you would doing a transfer.
shadowjack
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Re: Spanish or French HS Diploma

Post by shadowjack »

The IB Diploma IS a high school diploma. The issue is whether you want to put all your eggs in one basket or not. If you are at an American International School which offers IB DP, you are also granted a school diploma, whether you achieve your IB Diploma score of 24 with a passing Core or not. The school diploma is based entirely on class marks and previous credits for graduation.

If you go to a French or Spanish school, you also need to take the classes that lead to the national diploma - ON TOP OF the IB classes. This creates a fair amount of extra work. Best is to talk with the school, understand their requirements and credits system, and make your choice accordingly.

As to non-GCSE going to A levels, it is possible, but A levels are fairly specific in many cases, so it is somewhat dependent on the NC (National Curriculum) to have specific background and experience. A good student can do it, but some courses might be work.

There's my 2 halalas.
booboo14
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 8:55 am

Re: Spanish or French HS Diploma

Post by booboo14 »

Thanks for the response. I like the idea of no extra work. I contacted an American school, and they just sent me a form to enroll without answering my question. A warning sign right there.

I'm sure my son can do the DP no problem...but I am thinking he may like focusing on just 3/4 subjects.
PsyGuy
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Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Discussion

Post by PsyGuy »

The IB Baccalaureate is a SLL certificate. You dont need both. A BS will award either in addition to or as an alternative track the IGCSE and an AS will award a diploma, other ISs will award a national SLL certificate whatever that may be (its also a baccalaureate in SP and FR NC ISs).
Completing the NC requirements for those SLL certificates is often integrated into the IB work, and its often not a major commitment in additional work, the IB work is often more a challenge than the NC requirements. ISs do vary though so the best answer is going to come from the IS.

Doing A* on top of either of those NCs would depend on the subject, in a very broad general sense, humanities courses will require less work than STEM courses when looking at the additional work and challenge of going from either the SP or FR NCs to A*.

Most receptionists when you call an IS are ill prepared to answer questions, youre going to want to book an appointment with admissions or leadership to get those answers.
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