Notre-Dame International High School follows the American education system, offering students a flexible and well-rounded academic experience in an international environment near Paris.
Students prepare for the US High School Diploma, a qualification recognized as an important step toward higher education. The American High School Diploma is the qualification students receive after completing their secondary education within the U.S. school system. It is usually awarded at the end of Grade 12, the final year of high school, and represents an important academic achievement for students preparing for their next step.
For many learners, obtaining a U.S. High School Diploma can support access to higher education opportunities, particularly in the United States, where it is commonly required for college and university admission.
So, what does the High School Diploma include? How are credits earned in the American system? And can this diploma be recognized internationally? Below, we explain the key points our students and families should understand.
A. Key features of the US High School Diploma
The American school system is very different from the French school system. It is known for being more flexible, especially when it comes to choosing school subjects.
1 / School System
In the United States, school is compulsory for 12 years, known as “grades.” Be careful not to get confused, as the same word is also used to refer to marks or scores.
School begins at the age of 6 with Elementary School, which lasts 5 years and is equivalent to primary school in France. Students then continue their education in secondary school, which is divided into two stages:
- Junior High School, also called Middle School: 6th to 8th grade, roughly equivalent to the French collège up to Quatrième.
- High School: 9th to 12th grade, equivalent to Troisième through Terminale.
High School therefore, corresponds to the lycée years in France. However, American high school includes four years of study, not three:
- Freshman: 9th grade
- Sophomore: 10th grade
- Junior: 11th grade
- Senior: 12th grade
Notre Dame International High School welcomes international students in Grades 10, 11, and 12.
2 / US High School Graduation
At the end of 12th grade, students known as Seniors obtain their High School Diploma, the American equivalent of the French baccalauréat, which is required to access university.
The U.S. High School Diploma is not based on a single national standard. In the United States, education is mainly managed at the state level rather than by the federal government. As a result, each of the 50 states sets its own graduation requirements, including the number of credits students must earn, the compulsory subjects they must study, and the conditions they must meet to receive their diploma.
This means that the requirements for a High School Diploma may vary from one state to another. For example, a diploma awarded in California may not follow exactly the same academic requirements as one awarded in Texas, New York, or another U.S. state.
Notre Dame International High School Graduation Policy:
A minimum of 48 semester credits (or equivalents) earned in grades nine through twelve. These 48- semester credits must also satisfy the specific departmental requirements described below:
- Language Arts 8-semester credits
- Mathematics 6-semester credits
- Social Studies 7-semester credits (including course topics in U.S. history, world history, geography, US government, and economics)
- Science 6-semester credits (2 must be in Biology)
- Physical Education 2-semester credits
- Fine/Performing Arts 2 semester credits
- Foreign Language 6 semester credits
- Elective 11-semester credits
3 / Extracurricular Activities
Studying in an American high school also means taking part in extracurricular activities.
- Sports: basketball, American football, soccer, tennis, swimming, golf, wrestling, track and field, gymnastics, and more.
- Artistic activities: band, drama, dance, choir.
- Various clubs: debate, school newspaper, robotics, ecology, Charity Club, Student Council, marching band, cheerleading, Debate Club, Speech Club, Yearbook, and more!
At Notre Dame International High School, a specific time is included in the school schedule for school clubs; students may also practice sports during lunchtime or after school, as well as during the weekends, either on or off campus.
These activities are not simply “extra.” They are an integral part of American high school life and help students integrate, thrive, and build strong connections with their peers.
If you have the opportunity, try the Model UN Club: it is a kind of role-playing activity where you represent a country at the United Nations and defend its position on a topic chosen in advance. It is fun and very educational!
B. American School Subjects
In the United States, the school curriculum is divided into two groups:
1 / Core Subjects*
These are the subjects all high school students in the United States must take in order to graduate. Also known as general subjects, they form the foundation of the school curriculum.
2 / Electives
Electives allow students to personalize their timetable according to their interests, for example:
- Photography
- Culinary Arts
- Drama
- Astronomy
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Fashion design, cosmetology, speech, and many others!
The choice is wide but depends on each school offering.
Electives are also required for graduation, and they represent almost a quarter of the diploma. However, students can choose from a wide variety of options according to their personal interests, such as journalism, physical training, arts, and more. This is a way to personalize their academic path and highlight certain skills in non-traditional academic subjects. These skills can be very important when applying to American colleges and universities.
At Notre Dame International High School, the course offerings evolve year after year, based on student interests:
Check NDIHS Current Course Offerings
3 / AP Courses
American High School students may take Standard, Honors and AP courses. AP courses are designed by College Board.
AP courses are Advanced Placement courses.
They are college/university-level classes offered in high school, mainly in the United States and Canada. Students take the course during the school year and can then sit an AP exam in May.
A strong AP exam score may help students:
- Strengthen their university applications
- Show they can handle advanced academic work
- Earn university/college credit or advanced placement at some institutions
- Stand out in subjects related to their future studies
Examples include AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, AP Psychology, AP US History, and AP Computer Science.
For international students, AP courses can be a good option if they are academically strong and want a more challenging high school program, especially if they are considering university in North America.
At Notre-Dame International High School, we have developed over the years a strong AP program and offer our international students:
- AP Seminar
- AP Human Geography
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP World History
- AP Business and Personal Finance
- AP Comparative Government
- AP English language and lit
- AP French
What makes Notre-Dame International High School especially attractive is that students benefit from the strengths of the American system while living and studying in France. They enjoy an international school environment, personalized support, cultural immersion, and the opportunity to grow both academically and personally.
This combination offers students the best of both worlds: the structure and opportunities of an American high school education, together with the unique experience of studying in an international community close to Paris.
