Graduation

Graduation Requirements

These requirements apply to students entering in 2008 or later.

To qualify for a high school diploma from APU International School, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Completion of eight semesters in Grades 9 through 12 with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50
  • Completion of or exemption from Level 8 ELD
  • Accumulation of twenty-four credits in the specific subject areas and courses as indicated under “Required Courses and Credits” below

Required Courses and Credits

In order to graduate, students must earn the specified credits in the following courses or subjects or must fulfill these obligations through applicable transfer credits.

Courses Credits
Language Arts (Language Arts I, II, III & IV)4
Mathematics (Algebra I & II, Geometry)3
Social Science (US History, World History, World Geography, Economics)3
Science13
Foreign Language22
Visual and Performing Arts1
Computer Science1
Physical Education2
Electives35
Other requirements4N/A
Total Credits required for graduation24

1 Two of these credits must originate from courses with laboratory requirements.
2 Credits for this requirement must originate from Level I and Level II courses of the same foreign language.
3 Credits for courses in excess of their subject graduation requirements will be considered “Elective”.
4 Students may be required to fulfill other course requirements such as ELD or Vietnamese Studies. Please see the ‘Other Requirements’ section below for more details.

Other Requirements

Students must complete or test out of Level 8 ELD prior to taking courses in English, Mathematics, Social Science, or Science. Courses in Vietnamese History, Geography, and Literature are required by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) for all Vietnamese nationals. Elective credits will be given for these courses.

Credits

Credits are based on the US Carnegie system in which one credit is awarded for each yearlong course meeting for a minimum of 120 classroom hours. (For example, a course meeting five days per week for two semesters would receive one credit).

Note: There are two semesters in a regular academic year. Students must have at least 80% attendance (no more than 18 absences in a semester) and receive at least a D in the course to receive credit.

Grade Placement

Grade placement depends upon the accumulated credits earned during high school. Before a student is officially accepted for enrollment, all high school records (or middle school records for Grade 9 applicants) must be submitted to the Enrollment Office for review. Students will be placed into a grade level in accordance with the following credit requirements:

  • Freshmen (Grade 9); fewer than six (6) high school credits
  • Sophomores (Grade 10); earned at least six (6) but fewer than twelve (12) high school credits
  • Juniors (Grade 11); earned at least twelve (12) but fewer than eighteen (18) high school credits
  • Seniors (Grade 12); earned at least eighteen (18) high school credits

Valedictorian and Salutatorian

A Valedictorian Selection Committee chaired by the Principal and composed of academic department representatives will select the Valedictorian and Salutatorian from among seniors with the highest GPAs, as of the midterm of the final Spring semester. In choosing the Valedictorian and Salutatorian, the Committee will consider:

  • Academic achievement.
  • Behavior reflecting the highest ethical standards.
  • Breadth and depth of program completed.

Honors Graduates

All students achieving a GPA of 3.5 or above, based on transcripts as of the 15th week of the final semester, shall be recognized as Honors Graduates. The GPA shall consist of all courses taken from the 9th through the 12th grades.