Graduation Requirements

United States High School Diploma

To earn the United States High School Diploma, students must complete:

• Eight semesters (or the equivalent) of academic study beyond Grade 8.
• A minimum of 24 credits.

The required credits, earned in Grades 9–12, are distributed as follows:

• English (4 credits)
• World Languages (3 credits)
• Mathematics (3 credits)
• Social Studies (3 credits)
• Science (3 credits)
• Visual and Performing Arts* (1.5 credits) 
• Physical Education (1.5 credits)
• Health (0.5 credits)
• Other Core/Elective Courses (a minimum of 4.5 credits)

TOTAL 24 Credits

* Students are encouraged to include at least one Design and Technology course as part of these credits.

Core Seminar for Juniors and Seniors
The Core Seminar is required for all students during both semesters of Grades 11 and 12. It is a collaborative program between the IB Programme and the Counseling Department, designed to prepare students for success in the IB curriculum, the university search and application process, and life beyond high school. Through the Core Seminar, students receive both group and individual support from Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teachers, the IB Coordinator, the CAS and Extended Essay (EE) Coordinators, and school counselors. The program helps students strengthen their critical thinking, organization, time management, communication, and research skills. Students who are not pursuing the IB Diploma are required to attend the counseling components of the Core Seminar and use periods dedicated to CAS and the Extended Essay for independent study.

Community Time 
Community Time takes place daily (11:25–11:50 am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 11:15–11:50 am on Wednesday). During this period, students participate in activities and clubs, high school assemblies, Peer Group Connection (PGC), academic counseling, and Community Connections (CC) sessions. Community Connections supports students through activities and discussions focused on intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, character development, and community building. The program fosters a strong sense of belonging within the Graded community while encouraging students to see themselves as engaged members of the global community.

World Language Requirement
All high school students are required to study a language in addition to English. Portuguese or Spanish may fulfill this requirement, although exceptions may be approved by the High School Administration. Students must complete two years of study in the same world language (such as Portuguese or Spanish at the introductory or intermediate level) or demonstrate equivalent proficiency in another language, as approved by the High School Administration. Students enrolled in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program and students with a documented language-based learning disability may be exempt from this requirement.

Adding or Dropping Courses
Students who wish to add or drop a course must first consult with their school counselor, the IB Coordinator, and the High School Principal. Schedule changes are considered only during the first two weeks of the first semester and the first week of the second semester. Any requests to withdraw from or add a course are subject to approval by the High School Principal and are based on educational need, scheduling feasibility, and course availability.

A sample transcript for a student earning the United States High School Diploma is available here.

Brazilian High School Diploma

Grade-Level Equivalency

• Grade 9: 9° ano do Ensino Fundamental
• Grade 10: 1° ano do Ensino Médio
• Grade 11: 2° ano do Ensino Médio
• Grade 12: 3° ano do Ensino Médio

Requirements for the Brazilian Diploma
To earn the Brazilian High School Diploma, students must:

• Successfully complete all requirements for the Conclusão do 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental at the end of Grade 9.
• Complete six semesters of academic study beyond Grade 9.
• Fulfill all requirements of the Brazilian Academic Program (BAP).
• Successfully complete all requirements for the United States High School Diploma.

Course Requirements
The following requirements must be completed during Grades 10–12.

Brazilian Social Studies
Students must complete the following Brazilian Social Studies requirements:

• Grade 9: Brazilian Social Studies 9
• Grades 10–12: A minimum of one full year of Brazilian Social Studies, completed through one of the following pathways:
  • Two semesters of Brazilian Social Studies in Grade 10; or
  • One semester of Brazilian Social Studies in Grade 10, followed by IB Brazilian Social Studies Year 1 and Year 2.

Portuguese Language
Students must complete the following sequence, or an approved equivalent:

• Grade 9: Portuguese 9
• Grade 10: Portuguese 10
• Grade 11: IB Portuguese A: Language and Literature HL/SL I or IB Portuguese B HL/SL I
• Grade 12: IB Portuguese A: Language and Literature HL/SL II or IB Portuguese B HL/SL II

Alternative Portuguese course placements must be approved by the Head of the World Languages Department, the IB Coordinator (for Grades 11 and 12), and the High School Principal.

Mathematics
Students must complete one mathematics course in each year of high school.

Science
Students must complete one science course in each year of high school.

Arts
Students must earn at least 1.5 credits in Design and Technology and/or Visual and Performing Arts.

Physical Education
Students must complete:

• One semester of Physical Education and one semester of Health in Grade 9; and
• Two additional semesters of Physical Education during Grades 10, 11, or 12.

A sample transcript for a student earning both the United States and Brazilian High School Diplomas is available here.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a not-for-profit educational foundation that offers a broad and balanced curriculum designed to develop knowledgeable, inquisitive, and compassionate learners. The IB emphasizes conceptual understanding, interdisciplinary learning, and the development of critical thinking, research, communication, and intercultural understanding. Its programs support students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being while preparing them for success at university and beyond.

IB Pathways at Graded
Graded offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP), a rigorous two-year curriculum for students in Grades 11 and 12.

Students may choose between two IB pathways:

• IB Diploma Programme (Full Diploma)
• IB Course Certificates

Both pathways provide students with the academic rigor of IB coursework and official IB recognition on their academic records for university applications.

IB Diploma
Students pursuing the full IB Diploma study six subjects over two years—typically three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL)—and complete the three core components of the Diploma Programme:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
• Extended Essay (EE)
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

To earn the IB Diploma, students must successfully complete all diploma requirements and earn at least 24 points out of a possible 45 on externally assessed IB examinations and coursework.

The IB Diploma Programme is recognized worldwide as one of the most academically rigorous high school programs. Students considering this pathway should be prepared to manage a demanding workload, meet internal deadlines, maintain excellent attendance, and demonstrate strong organizational and independent learning skills.

IB Course Certificates
Students may also choose to take individual IB courses without pursuing the full diploma. Upon successful completion of each course and its corresponding IB examination, students receive an official IB Course Certificate. This pathway is ideal for students seeking the challenge and academic benefits of IB courses while maintaining greater flexibility. Students may take multiple IB courses without completing the additional requirements of the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS.

IB Subjects Offered at Graded

• Group 1 – Studies in Language and Literature
  • Literature A (English and Portuguese)
  • Language and Literature A HL and SL (English, Portuguese, and Spanish)
  • School-Supported Self-Taught Literature SL*
• Group 2 – Language Acquisition
  • Language B HL and SL (Portuguese and Spanish)
  • Spanish ab initio SL
• Group 3 – Individuals and Societies
  • Brazilian Social Studies SL
  • Economics HL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies SL
  • History HL and SL
  • Psychology HL and SL
• Group 4 – Sciences
  • Biology HL and SL
  • Chemistry HL and SL
  • Computer Science HL and SL
  • Environmental Systems and Societies SL
  • Physics HL and SL
• Group 5 - Mathematics
  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL and SL
  • Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL and SL
• Group 6 – The Arts
  • Theater HL and SL
  • Visual Arts HL and SL

* Available for students wishing to study a language not offered at Graded. Interested students should contact the IB Coordinator for additional information.

Enrollment in four Higher Level (HL) courses is permitted only when required for admission to a specific university program and when the student’s Grade 10 academic record supports such placement. Approval by both the IB Coordinator and the High School Principal is required.

IB Fees
Families are responsible for all IB registration and examination fees. Fees are established annually by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) and are payable before the May examination session. Current fee information is available from the IB Coordinator. Families are also responsible for any additional fees resulting from late registration, changes to examination registrations or course levels after the IB deadlines, requests for legalization of IB results, or Enquiry upon Results (EUR) requests.

A sample transcript for a student earning both the United States High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Diploma is available here.