Graduation Requirements

To earn a diploma from Hong Kong International School, a student normally attends High School for four years and must earn a minimum of 22 units of credit, 18 of which must be distributed as follows:

• English – 4 credits: Four consecutive years of English are required. In Grades 9 and 10, the requirement is satisfied through the Humanities I and II courses. In Grades 11 and 12 students have a choice of several stand-alone English courses.
• Social Studies – 2 credits: These credits include Asian studies and an American studies which are met in grades 9 and 10 through the Humanities I and II courses.
• Religion – 0.5 credits: Students will take a 1 semester religion course of their choosing in addition to Spiritual Explorations in either grade 10, 11, or 12.
• Mathematics – 3 credits: These credits include an Algebra and a Geometry course and vary depending on initial placement.
• Laboratory Science – 2 credits: These courses must include one full-year of a life science and one full-year of a physical science.
• Modern Language – 2 credits: Consecutive levels of a single language.
• Art & Design – 1 1/2 credits: These courses must include one semester of visual arts, design and technology and one semester of performing arts. The remaining 1/2 credit may come from either department.
• Wellbeing – 3 credits: These courses are part of the “Wellbeing Block” and include Spiritual Explorations (1/4 credit each year), Physical Education (1.5 credits), Health (1/2 credit in grade 11), and grade-level Counseling Seminars (each year).
• Interim – Successful completion of Interim each year at HKIS.
• Senior Project – Senior Project is an opportunity for students in their last year to create a yearlong project through which they follow a passion, or develop an interest, develop a skill, and perhaps leave a legacy to the school and wider community. They present their project at the end of the year, demonstrating an understanding of their learning and how it connects to HKIS’ Student Learning Results.

Distributive Credits: 18
Electives: 4
Total Required Credits: 22

Interim

Interim is a weeklong, off-campus learning experience designed to challenge the hearts, minds, bodies and souls of HKIS High School students. This alternative education program features a range of opportunities, each one weaving Creativity, Collaboration and Resilience into the experience. The program forms an integral part of the High School curriculum and serves as a graduation requirement for all High School students. The diverse program offerings include a variety of physical/outdoor adventures, community service, cultural experiences and internship opportunities.

Interim is a carefully constructed program that presents students with challenges and opportunities for personal growth. The experience is designed to help students:

• Build relationships through interactions with other students and faculty members.
• Cultivate a spirit of community.
• Collaborate as a member of a team.
• Improve communication, leadership skills, self-reliance and compassion.
• Develop resilience by venturing out of their physical, emotional and intellectual comfort zones.
• Discover newfound talents and interests.
• Gain greater self-knowledge and a richer understanding of the world around them.
• Grow in responsibility and independence.

While some courses demand explicit contributions to the communities that host them, all options compel students to draw upon the values they have developed at home and school as they encounter new situations and novel challenges. Students emerge from the program with a more profound sense of self, an enriched appreciation of human diversity, and deeper insight into the values that inspire compassion and humility.

Religion, American Studies & Asian Studies

The HKIS Board requires that all students graduate with some specific content in the areas of Religion, Asian Studies, and American Studies. This document outlines the courses that fulfil these requirements and procedures when there may be circumstances in which these requirements cannot be met.

In circumstances where the graduation requirements cannot be met (due to a student being admitted to HKIS after grade 9), an application for a waiver must be submitted to the High School Leadership Team by the student’s counselor.