...

High School Diploma abroad

This content was developed and approved with active participation of Alison Peacock.

 

In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources:

  • https://intl.seattlecolleges.edu/docs/high-school-diploma-vs-ged.pdf
  • https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/.
Current page last update date: 2025-07-15
Schools
238institutions
Show on map
Sort:
by ranking
by name by ranking by price (increasing) by price (decreasing)
student age
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Show by:
10 18 36 72
  • Northfield School Mount Hermon School NMH
    According to information for 2019, an average SAT score made up 1340
    Northfield School Mount Hermon School NMH
    USA
    St. Louis, Missouri
    Currently watching: 6
    Very good
    8.3
    from 66810.00 $ / year
    Apply with documents
    from 66810.00 $ / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    Diploma + advanced placement
    Last booking 2 weeks ago
    Dates
    All year round
    14-18
    from 66810.00 $ / year
    from 66810.00 $ / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (1)
  • Leysin American School
    In 2020 an average IB score was 34
    Leysin American School
    Switzerland
    Leysin
    Currently watching: 8
    Very good
    6 reviews
    8.3
    from 104000.00 CHF / year
    Apply with documents
    from 104000.00 CHF / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    Diploma + advanced placement
    Dates
    All year round
    14-18
    from 104000.00 CHF / year
    from 104000.00 CHF / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (5)
  • Stanstead College
    Stanstead College
    Canada
    Montreal, Quebec
    Currently watching: 6
    Very good
    3 reviews
    8.3
    from 71900.00 $CAD / year
    Apply with documents
    from 71900.00 $CAD / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    Diploma + advanced placement
    Last booking 1 weeks ago
    Dates
    All year round
    14-18
    from 71900.00 $CAD / year
    from 71900.00 $CAD / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (6)
  • Fulford Academy
    Fulford Academy
    Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Currently watching: 4
    Very good
    3 reviews
    8.2
    from 62790.00 $CAD / year
    Apply with documents
    from 62790.00 $CAD / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    High school program
    Dates
    All year round
    17+
    from 62790.00 $CAD / year
    from 62790.00 $CAD / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (5)
  • Shawnigan Lake School
    Shawnigan Lake School
    Canada
    Victoria, British Columbia
    Currently watching: 3
    Very good
    2 reviews
    8.2
    from 79630.00 $CAD / year
    Apply with documents
    from 79630.00 $CAD / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    High school program
    Last booking 1 weeks ago
    Dates
    All year round
    15-18
    from 79630.00 $CAD / year
    from 79630.00 $CAD / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (3)
  • Kent Private School USA
    According to information for 2019, an average SAT score made up 1350
    Kent Private School USA
    USA
    Yale, New Haven, Connecticut
    Currently watching: 5
    Very good
    8.2
    from 67550.00 $ / year
    Apply with documents
    from 67550.00 $ / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    High school program
    Last booking 6 weeks ago
    Dates
    All year round
    15-18
    from 67550.00 $ / year
    from 67550.00 $ / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (1)
  • Admiral Farragut Academy
    Admiral Farragut Academy
    USA
    Tampa, Florida
    Currently watching: 3
    Very good
    8.2
    from 54750.00 $ / year
    Apply with documents
    from 54750.00 $ / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    High school program
    Last booking 3 weeks ago
    Dates
    All year round
    15-18
    from 54750.00 $ / year
    from 54750.00 $ / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (2)
  • Braemar College boarding school
    According to the results for 2023, 36% of graduates enrolled in the University of Toronto
    Braemar College boarding school
    Canada
    Toronto, Ontario
    Currently watching: 5
    Very good
    9 reviews
    8.2
    from 29800.00 $CAD / year
    Apply with documents
    from 29800.00 $CAD / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    High school program
    Last booking 3 weeks ago
    Dates
    All year round
    13-17
    from 29800.00 $CAD / year
    from 29800.00 $CAD / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (3)
  • Southlands Christian Schools
    Southlands Christian Schools
    USA
    Los Angeles, California
    Currently watching: 4
    Very good
    8.2
    from 42130.00 $ / year
    Apply with documents
    from 42130.00 $ / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    Diploma + advanced placement
    Last booking 4 weeks ago
    Dates
    All year round
    14-18
    from 42130.00 $ / year
    from 42130.00 $ / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (1)
  • International School of Milan
    In 2022 an average IB score made up 34
    International School of Milan
    Italy
    Milan
    Currently watching: 5
    Very good
    10 reviews
    8.1
    from 22070.00 € / year
    Apply with documents
    from 22070.00 € / year
    Program name
    date
    Age
    Fees
    High school program
    Dates
    All year round
    15-17
    from 22070.00 € / year
    from 22070.00 € / year
    There are either 2 semesters or 3 trimesters (terms) in one academic year
    cart icon
    Show all courses (6)
Show by:
10 18 36 72

Having received incomplete secondary education in native country (after graduating from grades 9), many schoolchildren are thinking about studying in foreign states. After 9 grade, the foreign students can enrol on High school program, lasting for 3 years, allowing to become a student of the prestigious universities.

The High School Diploma program, most often combined with Advanced Placement, lasts three years and allows the foreign students to gain the necessary number of credits for obtaining a diploma of secondary education and admission to university. The studying includes 21 subjects, from which students choose their specialization.

Exams in the selected disciplines are mainly held in the form of tests and are evaluated on a five-point scale. Grades obtained during studying and final tests are taken into account when enrolling in universities.

Upon graduation, the foreign applicants receive a High School Diploma, which confirms the completion of secondary education. This diploma is accepted by many prestigious universities not only in the USA, but also around the world.

Schools for high diploma – advantages of studying

  • Opportunity to obtain knowledge in a wide list of subjects
  • To improve language skills and to expand vocabulary
  • To adapt to a new educational system
  • To immerse in culture and traditions of country
  • To enjoy school life
  • To make new friends.

The foreign students receive a broader education and deeper knowledge in comparison with completing a similar program in a year.

As part of the program High school diploma, the students often receive theoretical and practical knowledge. Many schools encourage independent research and projects beyond the scope of the program. Education is aimed at revealing the personal potential of the student, developing his capabilities and love of acquiring knowledge.

Victoria Eastman
Director of International Admissions at Mayfield School

Besides teacher qualifications, what else should parents consider when choosing a school?

Look into campus amenities and what they offer in sports, arts, and theater. Consider the school's proximity to major cities, its location in a city or countryside, access to international airports, and whether it's single-sex or co-educational. The school's size, number of full-time boarders, and flexibility in living arrangements during weekends and holidays are also important.

Entertainment program in the best schools and colleges with high diploma

Events are held during the pre-holiday weeks and often on the occasion of sports victories. Book fairs, Halloween and Christmas celebrations, scientific exhibitions, reading meetings, Spelling Bee, talent shows, etc. are regularly held.

Field events are organized – theatre, museum, picnic. Much attention is paid to charity events: some of them are aimed at raising funds for the immediate needs of the school, some for the benefit of other organizations. For example, there is a collection of used books, used warm clothes for those in need. Clubs of interest gather after school, a teacher is assigned to each club: clubs for fans of anime, Japan, robotics, cooking, ping pong, fascinating chemistry. The  children make their own decisions about which circle they will study in, and they sign up on their own. The most popular sections have sponsors who allocate funds for musical productions, creative, scientific projects. The mugs themselves are usually free, but parents pay for field events, costumes, props.

How to apply to schools with high diploma – enrolment requirements

This program is offered by many elite private schools and colleges in the USA and Great Britain, so students collect a standard package of documents for admission to secondary schools:

  • Grade card for the last 2-3 years
  • Recommendations from teachers
  • International language certificate
  • Motivation letter
  • Completed questionnaires.

The presence of various diplomas and certificates of academic and sports achievements also increases the chances of admission to the High School program in the prestigious schools.

Schools for high diploma – tuition fee

The cost of studying on the high school diploma program depends on many factors, such as school ranking, its location, accommodation type, extracurricular program, etc. Tuition fee varies from 40,000 to 90,000 USD per year, including accommodation, nutrition, studying, educational materials.

Accommodation types in the best schools and colleges with high diploma

  • Boarding

The students live in a residence near the school building. The school takes responsibility for the student, less often it is required to find a third-party guardian. All amenities are included in the accommodation: own room (accommodating 1-2 people), personal bathroom, three meals a day, gym, dining room, recreation facilities and much more. This is not only safe and comfortable, but also gives the international student the opportunity to learn time management, social adaptation and diplomatic skills. There are common game rooms, music and computer classrooms. Students develop independence, make friends, organize holidays and trips.

  • Host family

The receiving party guarantees a separate room, three meals a day, sometimes pocket money. The advantage of this option is the opportunity to get an English upbringing, study the manners of the English and get directly acquainted with the culture of the country. In addition, parents have a choice of the type of family in which the child will live: it can be a single parent, an elderly couple, couples with children or even military families.

Learning programs-summary information

Name Meaning Equivalent Min. age Duration,
years
Next stage Cost
GCSE General certificate of secondary education secondary education (non-accomplished) 14 1–2 A-Levels 15,000 USD+
A-Levels Advanced level secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 15,000 USD+
BTEC Business and Technology Education Board secondary special education 14 2–3 University/ work 15,000 USD+
Oxbridge Preparation Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge secondary education (accomplished) 17 1 University 15,000 USD+
International Baccalaureate International baccalaureate secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 18,000 USD+
Foundation/ Pathway Year Preparatory year admission to the 1st year of university 17 1 University 14,000 USD+
NCUK The Northern consortium 2 year university 17,5 1 2 year University of NCUK 13,000 USD+
Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) Specialized training - 14 optional optional 4,000 USD+
Academic English Academic English Language school 8 + 6–12 months School or University 8,000 USD+

Advantages and disadvantages of English schools

Advantages Disadvantages
The opportunity to enter the best universities in England, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Europe, the world Expensive
High quality of education and academic standards Strong workload
Perfect English after graduation The need to change the social environment; it takes time to adapt
Useful contacts The difficulty of choosing the most suitable school for the child, requires a qualified specialist

Top 21 boarding colleges in England 2025

1 Cardiff Sixth Form College
2 National Mathematics and Science College
3 Abbey College Cambridge
4 d'Overbroeck's College
5 MPW London
6 CATS Cambridge
7 Kensington Park
8 DLD London
9 King's College St Michael’s
10 Bellerbys Cambridge
11 Chelsea Independent College
12 MPW Cambridge
13 Bellerbys Brighton
14 CATS London
15 St Clare's Oxford
16 Bishopstrow College
17 CATS Canterbury
18 Bellerbys London
19 Ealing Independent College
20 Cambridge Tutors College
21 Abbey Manchester
Reviews/Comments/Questions
There are no comments here yet
Your comment / review
If you have a question, write it, we will try to answer
* - Field is mandatory
Henrietta Lightwood
Marketing and Admission Director at Dukes Education

Henrietta is the Marketing and Admission Director at Dukes Education. She has been working in Marketing and Admissions for more than 17 years and has a great experience in secondary education. Besides the level of academic preparation, Henrietta value the child care level, variety of extracurricular activities, location, reputation and prestige. When choosing a school, she strongly advises to visit the campus and personally get an idea of ​​what the school is like, what its values ​​and advantages are.

Chat with us, we are online!