graduation requirements

At Rise International School Erbil, students follow a rigorous academic program based on the American curriculum, designed to prepare them not only for high school graduation but also for competitive university admission—both locally in the Kurdistan Region and internationally. Understanding the school system is essential for all students and their families to plan effectively and succeed in their educational goals.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Rise International School, students must fulfill the following three core academic requirements:

1. GPA Requirement: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 out of 4.00.

2. SAT Requirement: Students must achieve a minimum SAT General score of 800 (400 in Math and 400 in English).

3. Credit Requirement: Students must complete a minimum of 24 high school credits across Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

These three requirements ensure that students are academically prepared and meet both national and international standards.

GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical representation of a student’s academic performance. At Rise International School, the GPA is calculated based on the student’s grades over four years of high school—from Grade 9 through Grade 12. This cumulative GPA is crucial not only for graduation but also for university admissions. A strong GPA reflects consistent academic achievement and is often one of the first criteria evaluated by universities.

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized exam used by many universities around the world to assess a student’s readiness for college. Students at Rise are required to take the SAT and must score at least 800 in total to meet graduation requirements. However, higher scores—especially above 1200—are highly recommended, particularly for students wishing to study competitive majors like medicine or engineering. Students may take the SAT multiple times during the school year (up to 7 times), and only the highest score is considered.

It is strongly recommended that students aim to take the SAT before their 12th grade year to reduce stress and improve their chances for strong results.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level subjects that students can take during high school. AP courses are essential for students planning to attend university, especially for those aiming for competitive programs in the Kurdistan Region or abroad.

There are three types of universities in the Kurdistan Region:

1. State Universities (free but highly competitive)

2. Paid State Universities (called 'parallel')

3. Private Universities

Each university type has its own admission standards. State universities, especially, require higher GPAs and AP scores. However, acceptance also depends on competition among applicants, meaning that simply meeting the minimum may not be enough.

RISE follows the American international curriculum, and English is the main language of instruction. In addition to English, students take native or non-native level courses in Kurdish. Arabic language is also taught as per the obligations of MoE. The school’s multilingual approach ensures that students are well-prepared for both local and international opportunities.

Students are encouraged to join RISE as early as Grade 7. Early enrollment helps students adapt to the academic system and improve their performance in GPA, SAT, and AP courses over time. Leaving SAT exam until Grade 12 is strongly discouraged due to the high academic pressure.

We advise students to begin SAT preparation as early as possible, take practice tests, and plan to take the real exam before Grade 12.