Have you ever wondered about your final years in high school and what they’ll look like, but when it comes to deciding on your path, you aren’t sure?
Next school year (2025-26), AISB will pilot the new Global Impact Diploma, an alternative pathway that aims to diversify the options and meet the needs of the 21st century.
This article is aimed at helping you understand which pathway may be the right choice for you, with the reminder that if you have any serious questions about your future pathway, please consult with a high school counselor.
High School Diploma
The standard HSD is the minimum requirement for graduating from AISB. It is the baseline for other diploma pathways, and all students will receive this diploma whether they choose the DP or GID.
The basic requirements that all students must meet to graduate are:
The U.S. High School Diploma is required for all students, starting in 9th grade, with the choice to add on the IB DP Full Diploma or individual courses in grades 11 and 12. If a student does not opt in to either the DP or GID, the default HS Diploma offers the most flexibility out of the three, and is most similar to the MYP (Middle Years Program) in the learning and assessment style.
IB Diploma Program (DP)
At AISB, most students, until now, did the full DP or specific IB courses alongside the standard High School Diploma. While some students may complain about the workload, the IB DP is the most well-known pathway. Apart from your regular classes, there are some extra DP requirements, such as Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and the Extended Essay (EE).
In DP, you get to choose a subject out of each of the groups (1 to 6) when building your schedule:
- Group 1: Language A – Literature or Language and Literature (English, Spanish, French, SSST)
- Group 2: Language B – Language Acquisition (French, Spanish, English)
- Group 3: Individuals and Societies- Economics, Business, Psychology, ESS, History
- Group 4: Sciences – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, ESS, Design Technology, Computer Science
- Group 5: Maths – Analysis and Approaches (AA), Applications and Interpretation (AI)
- Group 6: Arts – Film, Visual Art, Theatre, Music (can replace Group 6 for an extra subject; for example, one of the sciences)
* Out of these subjects, students must identify at least 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL) courses.
Why should you take it?
Most would agree that the IB DP is a very demanding pathway, and most universities accept it, especially if you’d like to study medicine or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) subjects.
If you are interested in one of these fields or are interested in studying at a particular university or country, the IB Diploma program may be the best option.
“[Your choice] is really based more on where you want to study rather than what you want to study. For example, some programs in the UK and the Netherlands require the full IB diploma program.”
– Secondary Counselor Josiah Laposky
Choosing the right diploma isn’t always just about what you’ll like to study in the future, but how you learn best. Laposky says “you want to challenge yourself as much as you can, but in the end, you want to go to classes that you will be successful in”.
The IB DP is highly structured and demanding, but that isn’t necessarily negative. If you prefer more structured work and an in-depth understanding of many subjects, DP is the right choice for you. In this program, you will challenge yourself in many different topics, as it’s a requirement to choose from each group; this will help you expand your understanding of different subjects and prepare you for university, especially the demanding learning style.
“The DP is designed for students who are pursuing a broad understanding of multiple subjects and are looking for a high level of academic challenge.” —DP Coordinator Cory Haugen
Global Impact Diploma
The Global Impact Diploma is the newest addition to AISB high school pathways, officially starting next school year (2025-2026).
According to Justin Clouden, one of the coordinators of the GID, this option offers an “innovative learning pathway designed to help students develop the skills, mindsets, and experiences needed to lead meaningful change in the world. Unlike traditional academic tracks, the GID emphasises real-world learning, collaboration, and personal agency. Through a unique mix of foundational courses, interdisciplinary collaborations, real-world internships, and specialised studies, students explore their passions while building a portfolio of impact.”
The GID follows the requirements of a standard High School Diploma, however, there are additional courses you must take when taking this Diploma:
- Foundation of Leadership for Impact
- Agency for Impact (2 courses)
- Specialisation for Impact (2 courses)
- Collaboration for Impact (2 courses)
You can learn more about each course section here
Why should you take it?
If you are an open-minded person who is flexible and wants to learn new things, GID might be the best option for you. In this program, you will learn and practice communication skills and understand how things truly work in the real world—from creating applications to exploring your interests through an internship.
Clouden emphasizes that students might choose the GID for a variety of reasons, such as “to explore career interests through internships, to gain hands-on experience with community-based challenges, to deepen learning in areas they’re passionate about, or to develop skills that traditional courses may not emphasize—such as communication, initiative, and adaptability. The program is intentionally flexible and can be adapted to different post-secondary goals, whether university, gap year, or entrepreneurship.”
If some aspects of the GID interest you but you’re still going to stick to the HS Diploma, you can still enroll in GID courses as electives needed to fulfill that diploma pathway.
The Best Diploma Option for You
When considering the best pathway for you, you should consider the following questions:
- What do you want your grade 11 and 12 experience to be like?
- Think ahead: what might your targeted universities require?
For a quick overview, consult the infographic at the top of this article, and remember: always speak with a counselor, a parent, and/or a mentor to make the final decision that best suits you.
My advice for students will be to ask really good questions. Speak to the counselors, speak to the DP coordinator, speak to the GID coordinators, and to your parents. Take ownership over your future and put in the time to ensure you enroll in the right academic path for you
Alexandra Carlin, GID coordinator
This was super informative, I really liked it a lot
Very good article and helpful for people who don’t know what to pick
Since the announcement of the new diploma, I was very confused because I had no idea what diploma I wanted. This article has helped me inform myself on how do I choose my diploma, which will benefit me in the future. I liked the article a lot.
i like how i can learn which to pick and also to learn about each Diploma
This is a very important set of information to provide for everyone. There are many paths to success and students should have options based on their individual talents and needs. Thank you for highlighting the various paths available to students at AISB and I hope that many people read this and it helps them choose their path.