As a high school student, your goal should just be to get good grades and to graduate with your high school diploma…right? Not quite. As a surprise to most students, GCDS now offers three specialized diplomas available to eligible students. They are the Sustainability Diploma, the Classics Diploma, and the World Languages Diploma. After talking to each of the teachers that are in charge of their respective diploma program, I was able to get information about these Diploma programs that many students may not know about. 

The Classics Diploma, run by Mr. Reynolds, allows for students to delve deep into the Ancient Roman/Greek Languages and their importance in our academic learning. The Diploma requires for a full four years (eight semesters) of language study and mastery in either Greek or Latin. In addition, the enrollee has to complete at least three additional semester credits in connected courses that display advanced understanding of the subject matter. I spoke with Mr. Reynolds and found that the diploma is dynamic for every student, allowing for flexibility in the students selection and how they can achieve their requirements. He additionally said that the Classics diploma is always changing, and, especially as a new school, there’s no doubt some changes and modifications are coming along the way. One of these changes is traveling abroad. The Classics Department has ambitions of having study abroad trips to other countries, as to connect more deeply with a first-hand experience. Now, the Classics Diploma does not require a specific learner or type of student to enroll into it. If you want to pursue this diploma, you’re more than welcome to. If you have the passion and the drive in this subject matter, then this would be a good choice for you!

The World Languages Diploma (WL), which is run by Mr. Fernandez, engages in the historical, cultural, and oral/textual proficiency of modern languages. The WL Diploma requires enrollees to take four years (eight semesters) in their target language, similar to the Classics Diploma. It also requires students to engage in community services in relation to their target language, so that may be helping out at B1C (Building One Community) or assisting over zoom. Just like the Classics Diploma, it asks for three semester credits of connected courses that help display understanding of the subject matter. Finalizing the requirements with the Presentation of Learning (PoL) project at the end of Senior year with it being based off of their target language. As for now, there are no new updates coming to the WL Diploma program, but obviously change is inevitable. As time goes on new faculty and programs are implemented, and modifications and adjustments will be made to allow for a more engaging and deeper learning experience in the program. I sought out Mr. Fernandez to see who he thought would be best fit to undertake enrolling in the WL Diploma Program. Mr. Fernandez said that students who enroll in the WL program, “have a desire to go above and beyond what is asked of them-”. 

The Sustainability Diploma, run by Mrs. Di Bonaventura, pursues an understanding in economics, social sciences, and environmental sciences. The Sustainability Diploma pushes for students to develop understandings that are essential to human sustainability. The program requires for students to earn five course credits* minimum and at least of one of those credits must be in economics, society or environmental selections. These requirements continue with Biology, Chemistry (both with a passing grade of B),  the Sustainability Elective, Environmental Science Elective and to include sustainability within your Junior Thesis project. Finally rounding off with at least one semester of hands-on experience in community initiatives. I talked with Mrs. Di Bonaventura over the phone and was surprised to hear that the Sustainability Diploma has a wide variety of courses to choose from, which, in turn, can allow for a lot more students to enroll into the program. Students may be taking courses that could be accepted as a sustainability course, and they may not even realize it. Courses such as Journalism, Theatre Arts, Graphic Arts, and Investment Club  will all count towards the required credits. Would you ever think that these classes would associate and be a course included within the Sustainability options? It is also surprising to hear that if you are, say a sophomore, and you’re just learning about the Sustainability Diploma, you’re still able to take it. You may find that courses that you took as a freshmen may count towards your course credits for the diploma. There are tons of different ways to approach the program, and it’s very dynamic as there’s no set path to take. 

If you’re interested in the course credits, here is a document containing all of the information. 

There are many programs to choose from, and they require a lot of effort to achieve. If you have a passion, a drive, and want to pursue one of these programs, go ahead! Make sure you talk to your advisor and make sure you’re enrolled into the program.

* Does not mean semester courses, provided courses may vary in their credit amount.