The diploma is awarded to seniors with four years of high school attendance who have met the school’s academic standards and fulfilled the course requirements listed below. To remain eligible for a Spence diploma, a student may choose to attend no more than one foreign or domestic study program during her Upper School years at Spence. In most cases, Spence does not grant diplomas to students who leave the school after junior year.
In order to receive a diploma from The Spence School, Upper School students must successfully complete:
English and World Literature:
English 9
English 10: American Literature
English 11-12: Six terms, including Shakespeare and one term of a World Study elective
History:
World Religions 9
United States History 10
Modern European History 11 (two terms)
One term of global history 11-12
Mathematics:
Geometry 9
Algebra II, 10
Advanced Mathematics 11
Science:
Physics 9
Chemistry 10
Biology 11
Computer Science and Technology:
Technology 10
Modern and Classical Languages:
Four credits of one language or three of one language and two of a second language
Visual Arts:
Three terms, including one course in a two-dimensional medium, one course in a three-dimensional medium and a course in a technical medium (ceramics or photography).
Performing Arts:
Speech 9
One term of a music or drama elective
Physical Education:
Physical Education 9
One exercise science course and one lifetime activity course
Six terms of additional physical education courses
Health Education:
Health 9
In Grades 9–11:
Students take five or six full-credit, homework-bearing courses per term plus Physical Education. In addition, students take required and elective courses in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Health & Technology.
In Grade 12:
Students take no more than five full-credit, homework-bearing courses, plus Physical Education.