ISS aims to provide a balanced curriculum. While the accredited bodies determine the basic pattern of study, ISS offers within this pattern, very flexible learning options and subjects that meet the individual needs and interests of each student. UNL: University of Nebraska Lincoln Independent Study High School IGCSE: International General Certificate of Secondary Education 9th and 10th Grade Requirements Electives • English (IGCSE) • Japanese (IGCSE) • Mathematics (IGCSE) • ESL Program (IGCSE) • Science (IGCSE) • Theatre Arts • Social Studies (IGCSE) • Learning Support • ICT (IGCSE) • Reading Support • Physical Education (IGCSE) • Homework Support 11th -13th Grade Requirements Electives • English (UNL / IGCSE) • Japanese (IGCSE) • Mathematics (UNL / IGCSE) • ESL Program (IGCSE) • Science (UNL / IGCSE) • Theatre Arts • Social Studies (UNL / IGCSE) • Learning Support • ICT (IGCSE) • Reading Support • Physical Education (IGCSE) • Homework Support (Including the following courses) • Amrican History (UNL) • American Government (UNL) • Personal Finance (UNL) • Career Planning (UNL) • World Cultures (UNL) Requirements Electives • English • Japanese • Mathematics • ESL Program • Science • Theatre Arts • Social Studies • Learning Support • ICT • Reading Support • Physical Education • Homework Support The academic program is organized on a 180-day school year with 5 periods per day of 80 minutes each. All classes meet on average for 3 hours per week. ISS aims to provide a balanced curriculum. While the accredited bodies determine the basic pattern of study, ISS offers within this pattern, very flexible learning options and subjects that meet the individual needs and interests of each student. The middle school program is based on the University of Cambridge International Lower Secondary curriculum leading to IGCSE examinations and vocational qualifications, supported by curriculum frameworks from the UK, U.S.A., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This broad based curriculum is designed to prepare all students for academic success at a high school level. Our upper high school program in grades 11, 12, and 13 follows the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Independent Study High School Diploma Program. The school also provides benchmark testing for all students from non-English speaking backgrounds. The delivery of language and literacy programs follows the structured Cambridge ESOL examinations courses. ISS offers a program in which students from grades 9 - 13 may earn a high school diploma. In order to earn a diploma from ISS, students must earn a minimum of 22 credits. One (1) credit is awarded for a course which receives a passing grade and which is a full year of study. The ISS high school diploma consists of: English: 4 credits (including ESL) Humanities: 4 credits (including American History, American Government, and Multicultural Studies) Mathematics: 2 credits Science: 2 credits Physical Education: 1 credit Modern Language: 2 credits (Japanese) Electives: 6 credits (including Career Planning and Financial Skills) Information and Communication Technology: 1 credit Programs for grades 11, 12 and 13: International Secondary School (ISS) University of Nebraska Independent Study High School (UNL) Brigham Young University Independent Study High School (BYU) North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) Laurel Springs School (LSS) UNL High School Graduation Requirements: UNL offers a program in which students may earn a high school diploma. In order to earn a diploma, students must earn a minimum of 200 credit hours (20 units: 1 unit = 1 semester). Language Arts: 40 credits (4 units) Social Studies: 30 credits (3 units) (including American History and American Government) Mathematics: 20 credits (2 units) Science: 20 credits (2 units) Multicultural Studies: 5 credits (0.5 units) Financial Skills: 5 credits (0.5 units) Career Planning: 5 credits (0.5 units) Electives: 75 credits (7.5 units) International Secondary School is a non-accredited educational organization. Accreditation is achieved through the distance learning programs students enroll in. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Independent Study High School (UNL) is fully accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). Laurel Springs School (LSS) in California is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE) is accredited through the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and NCA CASI. The Brigham Young University (BYU) Independent Study High School program is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), and the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).