High School
Two diplomas, one goal!
In Grades 11 and 12, JFKS students step into the final chapter of a bicultural journey that began years earlier — choosing between the German Abitur and the American High School Diploma, two globally respected paths that open doors on both sides of the Atlantic.
This is where our mission comes full circle. Since 1960, JFKS has brought German and American students into the same classroom to learn from one culture through the lens of the other. By the time our students reach the Oberstufe, that shared experience has shaped not just what they know, but how they think — bilingually, biculturally, and with the confidence to belong in more than one world.
German Abitur
Beginning in Grade 11 and culminating in written and oral exams across five chosen subjects, the Abitur is the traditional gateway to German and European universities. Earned at JFKS, it also carries recognition among American colleges — a qualification built for students who see their future in Germany, Europe, or beyond.
American High School Diploma
Earned through required coursework and credits across Grades 9–12, the JFKS diploma is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and opens doors at universities across the United States, Canada, and beyond. Paired with strong AP results, it can lead to German and other global universities too.
There is no "better" track — only the better fit. Whichever path they choose, JFKS graduates leave fluent in two languages, at home in two cultures, and ready for what's next — wherever in the world that may be.
Guided by our counselors, Abitur coordinators, and the experiences of alumni who've walked both roads, Grade 10 students spend a year exploring what suits their strengths, their language of confidence, and their vision for what comes next. Once Grade 11 begins, they move forward — supported by a team that has helped generations of JFKS students make this choice well.
Learn More
Student Support
Student Life
Faculty & Staff
How to get to school