Hesitating between an IB diploma and a US High School Diploma at Haut-Lac?
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The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is a globally-recognised leader in accreditation and school improvement. Its accreditation is a mark of institutional quality recognised by universities in the USA and worldwide, and proof that Haut-Lac’s curricula, practices, governance and learning community align with globally-accepted standards of educational excellence.
Students pursuing the US High School Diploma at Haut-Lac complete the last two years of the IB Middle Years Programme followed by selected subjects from the two-year IB Diploma Programme or IB Career-related Programme.
They can choose whether to sit IB exams in only their selected subjects or to take the full IBDP or IBCP programme.
Students with a US High School Diploma have the credits required to study at university in the USA, Canada and worldwide, depending on each university’s particular requirements. That said, a common concern among families is whether the diploma carries the same weight outside North America.
At Haut-Lac, students can graduate with a US High School diploma and:
Of course, entry requirements vary by institution, so we recommend checking with your target universities directly. Our academic team is always happy to guide you through the process.
No. Students pursuing the US High School Diploma can choose to study individual IB subjects based on their strengths and future goals OR the full IB Diploma or IB Career-related programme to obtain a double US-IB qualification.
No, US High School Diploma students do not need to be bilingual in English and French. However, they must have native or near-native proficiency in English speaking, writing and listening.
The two qualifications have different structures and purposes, though at Haut-Lac they are closely linked.
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year qualification taken in grades 11 and 12. Students study six subjects across different academic areas, write an Extended Essay, complete a Theory of Knowledge course, and fulfil CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirements. It is widely recognised by universities across Europe, the UK, North America, Asia and further afield.
The US High School Diploma is a four-year programme covering grades 9 to 12. Students earn credits across 24 subjects to meet the requirements set by NEASC, our accrediting body. It is the standard secondary school qualification for entry to universities in the USA and Canada.
At Haut-Lac, the two are not mutually exclusive. Students on our US High School Diploma programme follow the IB Middle Years Programme in grades 9 and 10, and then either individual IB subjects or the full IB Diploma or IB Career-related Programme in grades 11 and 12 to graduate with a double qualification recognised by universities worldwide.
The two qualifications are structured differently, so a direct comparison is difficult.
The IB Diploma is known for its academic depth and rigour. Students study six subjects simultaneously, produce independent research, and sit formal exams across all areas. It demands strong time management and intellectual independence.
The US High School Diploma spreads assessment across four years and 24 subjects, with more flexibility in how credits are earned. Students can tailor their subject choices to their strengths and future goals.
At Haut-Lac, both pathways are academically demanding. The right choice depends on the student and their learning style, university ambitions and whether they want the breadth of the US system, the depth of the IB, or both through our double-qualification option.
Our academic team is happy to help families work through which path fits best.
A few things set Haut-Lac apart.
First, accreditation. Haut-Lac holds NEASC accreditation, which is the same standard used by schools across New England and one of the most respected educational accreditations in the USA. This gives our US High School Diploma real weight with American and Canadian universities.
Second, the IB combination. Haut-Lac is one of few Swiss international schools who offer the US High School Diploma within the IB framework. At Haut-Lac, students can pursue both to graduate with a qualification recognised in North America and internationally.
Academics aside, Haut-Lac is a bilingual English-French school with over 30 years of experience, small class sizes, and a real family feel. Students from 64 nationalities study at the school, which is small enough that teachers know every student by name. Add a Lake Geneva setting, 150+ after-school clubs, and a strong university guidance team, and it adds up to a well-rounded experience.
The Swiss school year typically runs from late August to late June, divided into three terms with breaks in October, December/January, and spring. This is broadly similar to the American academic calendar, which also runs August/September through to May/June.
The main practical difference is the term structure. Swiss schools tend to use three terms rather than the American semester system, and holiday dates do not always align with the US school calendar.
For families relocating from the USA, the transition is generally straightforward. Our admissions team works with each family individually to ensure a smooth start, and new students receive support to settle in academically and socially from day one.
Yes. Boarding is open to all secondary students at Haut-Lac, including those following the US High School Diploma programme.
Haut-Lac’s boarding house is deliberately small with a maximum capacity of 32 students, which makes for a close-knit, family-style environment rather than a large institutional one. Boarders and day students mix freely during the school day and after-school activities, so boarders never feel separate from the wider school community.
The Enrichment Programme takes boarders on regular trips across Switzerland, Italy and France, alongside seasonal activities like skiing, paddle-boarding and hiking. Evenings follow a structured but relaxed rhythm: dinner together, quiet study time, then free time before bed.
Both 5-day and 7-day boarding options are available. For more details on boarding life at Haut-Lac, visit our boarding page.
