The secondary school, comprising grades 7 – 13 (grades 7 – 12 effective with the class of 2012) is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and offers students the possibility of earning both the American high school diploma and the German Abitur. Newly accepted American students receive instruction in English in all subjects except for the German language classes. As their proficiency in German increases, they participate in classes where the medium of instruction is predominantly German. French, Latin, and Spanish are also taught as foreign languages.

Students in grades 7 through 12 may seek either the German Abitur or the U.S. high school diploma. All courses are college preparatory and lead to the high school diploma. Successful completion of the Abitur program qualifies a student for entry to German universities. Abitur Leistungskurse, or honors courses (grades 11, 12, and 13), and Profil courses (grade 11) are academically intensive and involve five to six periods of instruction per week. Grundkurse, or basic courses (grades 11, 12, and 13), cover the same material as Leistungskurse but meet three to four hours per week. Honors/Advanced Placement courses (or exams) in art history, biology, calculus, chemistry, comparative government, English, European history, French, German, physics, psychology, Spanish, statistics, studio art, and U.S. history are offered in the American diploma program. The language of instruction may be English or German. German partner tongue proficiency (D2) is recommended for admission to the Abitur natural science program in grades 9 through 10 and is required for admission to the grade 11 Abitur program.

Language Instruction

All JFKS students learn both English and German and take mother tongue and partner tongue language courses. Success in mother tongue English (E1) and mother tongue German (D1) indicates that the student has acquired native proficiency in the language. Partner tongue language courses are more intensive than U.S. foreign language study. The German partner tongue (D2) and English partner tongue (E2) levels indicate a high level of proficiency, and enables a student to take academic courses in all disciplines in this language.

Foreign Language Instruction

Students in the Abitur program may begin studying French as a foreign language in grade 7. Only American students enrolled in D2 or D1 may begin French in grade 7. Students may elect to begin Spanish or Latin in the ninth grade in order to fulfill the foreign language study requirement for the Abitur.
Several diploma options are offered at John F Kennedy School that are recognized throughout the world.

U.S. High School Diploma

The U.S. High School Diploma is awarded after completion of the required number of credits and specific courses, normally after grade 12. JFKS and, hence, its diploma is accredited by the NEASC, New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. The diploma is recognized in the admission process by universities and colleges in the United States and Canada and by U.S. universities overseas. As with almost all American high school diplomas, it is generally not recognized for admission to European universities except under special circumstances and in combination with other requirements.

Abitur

The Abitur is awarded after successful completion of the Abitur program, which begins in grade 11 and continues through grade 13 (grade 12 for the class of 2012). The Abitur is recognized for admission to German and European universities and is also recognized by American colleges and universities.

Advance Placement International Diploma

The Advance Placement International Diploma (APID) is an external diploma awarded by the Advanced Placement Program/College Board upon successful completion of a specific number and specific combination of AP subject examinations. It is recognized by some European countries and universities for college or university admission. The prerequisite AP courses for this diploma are offered at JFKS.

Intermediate School Certificate

Students completing grades 7 through 10 and who pass the middle school exam and are promoted into grade 11 may leave JFKS after the 10th grade with the equivalent of what was formerly known as the German Realschulabschluss and may begin an apprenticeship (Lehre).