International Diploma

Upper School Students seeking the International Diploma must take the following courses: 

• World History or AP World History
• Language other than English through level III
• Global Issues I 
• Honors Digital Media for Global Learning

In addition, students must complete a minimum of 2.5 credits of electives from the following list of courses. A year-long course earns 1 credit and a semester course earns 0.5 credit. 

• AP English Literature (1)
• Post-Colonial Literature (0.5)
• Postmodern Literature (0.5); Shakespeare (0.5)
• Film Adaptation (0.5)
• Philosophy of Literature (0.5)
• AP European History (1)
• AP World History (1, if taken in addition to World History)
• AP Human Geography (0.5)
• Honors Seminar in Religion and Ethics (0.5)
• Latin American History (0.5)
• Honors Seminar in Critical Philosophy (0.5)
• Advanced Studies in Government and Politics (0.5)
• AP Environmental Science (1)
• Levels IV and Higher of Spanish, Mandarin, or Latin (1 for each year)
• Honors Greek I & II (1 year each)
• Introduction to Linguistics (0.5) 

Students must participate in at least two student-led clubs related to the International Diploma each year:

• Children of Africa Club
• Chinese Club
• Classics Club
• Eco Club
• Global Ravens
• Hispanic Latino Club
• Jewish Culture Club
• Key Club
• Military History and Strategy Club
• Other International Clubs (by approval)

Globally-themed events/presentations, both on and off-campus:

• Ravenscroft Chinese New Year Display
• Ravenscroft Cultural Festival
• Ravenscroft Diwali Display
• Cary Lantern Festival
• Cary Diwali
• NC Latin American Film Festival
• The Light Up Festival in Chapel Hill
• Raleigh International Festival
• World Refugee Day in Raleigh
• Triangle Dragon Boat Festival

• Short-term or semester-long hosting of an international student, with approval of Ravenscroft
• Short-term travel with Ravenscroft
• Semester or year abroad program, with approval of Ravenscroft

Graduating seniors will participate in a final assessment comprising both written and oral presentations during their spring semester. Students must pass this assessment successfully and also maintain a 3.0 GPA on the International Diploma courses to be awarded the Ravenscroft International Diploma.

Students will have to maintain and submit a digital portfolio every year, for which they will earn points towards the International Diploma. 

Curricular requirements, extracurricular requirements, travel/hosting, digital portfolio, global senior project, final assessment, and other requirements (see above).

Any freshman or sophomore with interest who is able to meet the requirements.

Preferably by second semester of freshman year; latest by first semester of sophomore year.

Getting into college should not be the reason to pursue the International Diploma. However, the International Diploma certainly provides evidence that a student has gone the extra mile in pursuit of a passion, and it will appear on students' transcripts starting the end of their junior year.

Contact the International Diploma Committee with any questions:

• Ms. Jessica Yonzon, Director of Global Education and Initiatives, jessica.yonzon@ravenscroft.org
• Ms. Melanie Spransy, International Diploma Coordinator, melanie.spransy@ravenscroft.org
• Mrs. Mary Beth Immediata, Upper School History Faculty, marybeth.immediata@ravenscroft.org
• Mr. Joel Karpowitz, Upper School English Teacher, joel.karpowitz@ravenscroft.org