All students in Grades 9 through 12 at ACS International School Doha are enrolled in the American High School Diploma program, which defines the core structure of our high school experience. Grades 9 and 10 serve as the final two years of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), providing a strong academic foundation while aligning with the Common Core and AERO standards. These years are fully integrated into the high school credit system and directly contribute toward diploma completion.
To earn the ACS Doha American High School Diploma, students must complete a minimum of 24 credits across a defined set of academic subjects. In Grades 11 and 12, all students engage in courses that follow International Baccalaureate (IB) content and standards, regardless of the pathway they choose. These courses are designed to meet the academic rigor required for both the American High School Diploma and for students who wish to sit for external examinations, as mandated by the Ministry of Education.
Students may choose to complete individual IB courses—at either Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL)—to fulfill the requirement for two external exams. Alternatively, students may opt to pursue the full IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), which includes the DP core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). Students who complete the full IBDP will graduate with both the American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
The ACS High School Diploma is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for university admissions worldwide.
Early High School: Grades 9-10
Grades 9 and 10 at ACS Doha are part of the high school program and mark a pivotal stage in the academic journey. These are considered the early high school years, where students continue to learn within the IB MYP framework while being introduced to the rigor and expectations of the American High School Diploma. All courses are aligned to Common Core and AERO standards to ensure continuity in content while maintaining international benchmarks of excellence.
During these years, the focus shifts toward subject specialization, academic independence, and foundational preparation for the more advanced demands of Grades 11 and 12. Instruction continues to emphasize interdisciplinary connections, inquiry, and real-world application, but with increased depth and performance expectations. Students build the habits of mind, research skills, and academic discipline required for success in the High School Diploma offered in senior high school, along with the option of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
The curriculum also allows for more student choice and differentiation. In addition to the core subjects, students begin exploring potential diploma-level courses and career interests. In Grades 9-10, students study:
- English Language and Literature
- Language Acquisition or Language and Literature (English, Spanish, French, or Arabic)
- Individuals and Societies (with specific emphasis on specialties such as Economics, History, Geography and Business)
- Sciences (Emphasis on Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
- Mathematics
- Physical and Health Education
- Electives: Music, Arts or Design
- Islamic Studies or Alternatives
In Grade 10, students are expected to compelere at least one external MYP assessment, which include moderated portfolios and online eAssessments. Completion of the MYP Personal Project is a capstone requirement, emphasizing independent inquiry, research, and reflection—a bridge into the demands of Grades 11 and 12.
Senior High School: Grades 11-12
In Grades 11 and 12, students at ACS Doha enter the final phase of high school, where they engage in rigorous academic coursework aligned with the American High School Diploma while also having the option to pursue the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). For students who do not pursue the full IBDP, individual IB courses are still available and contribute toward the American High School Diploma. These courses, whether taken at SL or HL, follow the same curriculum standards, and can also fulfill the Ministry of Education’s requirement for external exams.
All senior high school courses are designed to meet the academic expectations of the IB Diploma, with content aligned to Common Core and AERO standards. These courses prepare students for university-level work and ensure that graduates are globally competitive.
Students pursuing the full IB Diploma select six subjects across the following IB groups:
- Studies in Language and Literature: English for all & Arabic for Arab nationals
- Language Acquisition: French, Spanish, Italian or Arabic
- Individuals and Societies: Economics, Business Management, Psychology, History
- Sciences: Biology, Chemsitry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies, Design Technology
- Mathematics: Applications and Interprepations, and Analysis and Approaches
- The Arts: Visual Arts
In place of an arts course, students may choose an additional subject from groups 2–4. Of these six subjects, three must be taken at Higher Level (HL), which includes 240 hours of instruction, and three at Standard Level (SL), requiring 150 hours. Assessment for the IB courses includes both internal components and externally moderated examinations taken in the second year of the program.
Additional Requirements
In addition to subject requirements, all full IB Diploma students must complete the three core components of the program: the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS).
The Extended Essay/Research Project is a 4,000-word independent research project on a topic chosen by the student and supervised by a faculty member. It is submitted with a reflective statement and is externally assessed for the students pursuing the IB Diploma, and internally, for the remaining HS students .
CAS is embedded in both the IB Diploma and the ACS High School Diploma as a graduation requirement, and it is closely connected to the school’s Artemis Promise, encouraging students to lead purposeful lives through service, engagement, and sustainability.
TOK is offered for the IB Diploma students, and it challenges to reflect critically on the nature of knowledge across disciplines.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
US High School Diploma courses
Promotion and Graduation
The decision on promotion is taken based on factors such as overall academic performance, attendance, and participation. The MHS Leadership Team ensures that students are adequately prepared for the challenges of the next grade level while providing opportunities for additional support and interventions for struggling students to help them succeed.
Students are not eligible to get promoted to the next academic year if they have two or more failing grades in their end of year report. A student would fail in a subject if they received 2 or less in all IB and HS courses.
Students’ academic performance will be tracked regularly, and the relevant support will be provided. Students who have failing subjects at the check-in points will be put on a three-month Academic Probation. The MHS Academic Leadership Team, will conduct support meetings with the parents monthly throughout the probation period. Compliance will see the successful student proceed into the next grade level. Those students who fail the probation period will either re-sit the academic year or find alternative schooling arrangements.
Students who are on Academic Probation may be excluded from participation on international trips, ensuring that they focus on their studies and maximize their chances of improving their academic standing.
High School Diploma Graduation Requirements
To earn the ACS Doha American High School Diploma, students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits across core academic areas and elective subjects between Grades 9 and 12. In addition to coursework, all students are required to fulfill the expectations of CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) and complete an Extended Essay or equivalent Research Project, depending on their academic pathway. These elements are essential for fostering the skills of inquiry, independence, and community engagement that underpin both the American and IB educational philosophies.
Student achievement is evaluated using a 7-point scale across most courses, and an unweighted 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated each semester. A Cumulative GPA (CGPA), reflecting performance from Grades 9 through 12, is included on students’ official transcripts to provide a transparent and standardized measure of academic performance, recognized by universities around the world.
In accordance with Ministerial Decision No. (11) of 2021, all students must sit for a minimum of two external examinations—either IB, AP, or SAT—by the end of Grade 12. The Ministry of Education (MOE) will determine grade equivalency based on 75% of the student’s CGPA and 25% of the combined results of these external exams. Students in Grades 9 and 10 typically take seven subjects, while those in Grades 11 and 12 focus on six main subjects aligned with their chosen pathway, ensuring depth and specialization as they prepare for post-secondary success.
Students need to have a minimum total of 24 credits for graduation. The minimum credit should spread amongst subjects as follows:
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- 4 credits in English
- 4 credits in Math
- 8 credits in Sciences and I&S combined
- 3 credits in World Language
- 2 credits in Arts or Elective
- 1 credit in PE
- 2 credits in elective
In addition, to determine the equivalency, the MOE will calculate it based on 75% of the CGPA and 25% of the combined results from the two external exams (IB, AP and SAT) taken at the end of Grade 12.
To graduate, students need to fulfil credit requirements in Grades 9 to 12. Students in Grades 9 and 10 should take 7 subjects and High School students should study 6 subjects.
Students need to have a minimum total of 24 credits for graduation. The minimum credit should spread amongst subjects as follows:
- 4 credits in English
- 4 credits in Math
- 8 credits in Sciences and I&S combined
- 3 credits in World Language
- 2 credit in Arts or Elective
- 1 credit in PE
- 2 credits in elective
In addition, students are expected to have a Satisfactory (S) grade in CAS, EE, and TOK (for Full DP students).
Table of Credits Subject Groups Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 English language 1 1 1 1 Mathematics 1 1 1 1 Science 8 credits across both subject groups Individuals and Societies World Language 3 Arts or Elective 2 PE 1 Elective 2 Below is the Table of conversion used for equivalency purposes.
Grade Percentage Grade 9 Letter Grade GPA Unweighted 7 100 A+ 4 6 96 A 3.5 5 89 B+ 3 4 86 B 2.5 3 79 C 2 2 69 D 1.5 1 Below 60 F 0 Honour and High Honour Roll in each Semester
To celebrate academic excellence and holistic achievement, ACS Doha recognizes students each semester through the Honour and High Honour Roll distinctions. These awards acknowledge consistent academic performance, engagement in core program requirements, and fulfillment of key learning milestones across grade levels. Eligibility is determined by subject grades, overall point totals, and the successful completion of essential elements such as the Personal Project, Extended Essay, and service learning expectations.
The criteria are tailored to each grade band to ensure alignment with developmental stages and academic rigor:
Honours Roll Conditions (86%) Highest Honours Roll Conditions (96%) A minimum grade of 5 out of 7 in all HS & DP subjects A minimum grade of 5 out of 7 in all HS & DP subjects Total of: - 48 out of 56 for Grades 6 to 9 (8 subjects)
- 42 out of 49 for Grade 10 (7 subjects)
- 36 out of 42 for Grades 11 & 12 (6 subjects)
Total of: - 54 out of 56 for Grades 6 to 9 (8 subjects)
- 47 out of 49 for Grade 10 (7 subjects)
- 40 out of 42 for Grades 11 & 12 (6 subjects)
