Study like in the USA

What, for whom, how?

The Dual Diploma is the French Baccalauréat + a digital American High School Diploma: 2 distinct diplomas verified by their respective authorities, the French Ministry of Education and Florida’s department of education in the United-States.

The student studies in 2 schools simultaneously, in a classroom in their French school and in an American High School based in Florida through online immersion. Thanks to binational agreements concluded by Academica, first American charter schools group, the report cards from the French Education allow to validate 18 of the 24 High School Diploma credits.

The student validates, online, the 6 additional credits with Academica International Studies (AIS). At the end of this innovative program, accompanied by our American teachers, they receive the same diploma as an American student would at the end of High School.

For students starting from the 9th grade (Troisième), either in our partnering schools, or as an individual student in France or as an expatriate.

For students with a basic (English 1), advanced (English 2), or fluent (English 3) level in english. The entry level is determined during the admissions test. Our program is personalized according to the student’s level in english.

The student studies at their speed, on their computer, for 2 to 5 hours per week depending on their level. Academica makes all necessary educational documents and tools available to the student. On their personal platform, they check their courses, study and send their homework directly online. The curriculum is personalized according to the english level: Differentiated Instruction allows the teaching to be adapted to the level and potential of each student. Classes are exclusively in english with native speakers.

 

The student exchanges online using e-mail or skype with their American teacher who monitors them all year round. At the start of the semester, they receive the syllabus with important dates: classes in Live Sessions or One on One; homework to be handed in for grading.

Students with English 1 or English 2 levels have additional work based on orality: comprehension, pronunciation, accent. Students, who are already bilingual (level 3), study literature, and write articles and presentations. Homework is to be handed in on average every 10 days. It varies for each student, depending on their progress in the program.

Live Sessions take place every two weeks between 6PM and 9PM for an hour using videoconference and count for the final grade. Twenty or so student of various nationalities and their teacher gather around a previously studied theme (flipped classroom style learning). Subjects like Artificial Intelligence, Fake News and Elections are debated on, engaging students, developing their critical thinking and confronting their ideas in a multicultural setting.

Teachers guide the student’s progress step by step all along this path of excellence. They are available every day between 4:30PM and 9PM, via e-mail or Skype, to discuss with them on the content of a class or an assignment to be handed in. Our students appreciate their benevolence, responsiveness and attention, as well as their always positive ‘extended hand’ policy. Parents can at any point in time ask for a meeting with the American teacher.

L’élève échange en ligne avec son Professeur Principal américain.  En début de semestre, il reçoit l’agenda avec les dates importantes : cours présentiels en Live sessions ou One on One ; devoirs à rendre en contrôle continu.

L’élève de niveau Anglais I ou 2 effectue un travail supplémentaire basé sur l’oralité : compréhension, prononciation, accent. L’élève déjà bilingue étudie la littérature, rédige articles et exposés. Les devoirs sont à rendre en moyenne tous les 10 jours. Ils varient pour chaque élève, selon son avancée dans le programme.

Les Live Sessions ont lieu tous les 15 jours entre 18h et 21h en visioconférence et comptent pour le contrôle continu. Une vingtaine d’élèves de toutes nationalités se retrouvent avec le professeur autour d’un thème travaillé en amont (Pédagogie Inversée).  Sont débattus des sujets tels l’Intelligence Artificielle, les Fake News, les Elections, engageant l’élève à développer sa pensée critique et à confronter ses idées dans un cadre multiculturel.

Les enseignants guident pas à pas les progrès de l’élève tout au long de ce parcours d’excellence. Ils sont disponibles tous les jours entre 16h30 et 21h, par mail ou Skype, pour échanger avec eux sur le contenu d’un cours, un devoir à rendre ou autre.  Nos élèves apprécient leur bienveillance, réactivité et écoute, ainsi que leur ‘main tendue’ toujours positive. Les parents peuvent à tout moment demander un rendez-vous au professeur Américain.

Enrolment is available until July 21th 2024.
Student at a partnering school : connect with a school director or the Dual Diploma Program Director.
Individual student : all information can be found on the Individual Students tab.

Success on the test validates admission. Taken by students from around the world mid-September, this test evaluates the English level, knowledge in grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension, and places the students in the correct level. The student receives their acceptance letter by mail within 15 days.

2024 Admissions Test

When? Between September 16th and 19th 2024
Where? In the partnering school or as an external candidate
Quoi ? Online, MCQ – 60 questions – 75 minutes
Niveau? Between E1 and E2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CECR)

Benefits

Z

Biculture and immersion in an American High School

Courses and communication 100% in english with American teachers; broadening of horizons: the student learns in a multicultural environment; access to clubs: debate, journalism, photography, social media with American students in their High School.

Z

Learning of new technologies

Free-flowing teacher/student communication using e-mail, the online dashboard, messages, videoconferences.

Z

Flipped classroom style learning – differentiated instruction

Z

Teaching staff responsiveness

Each student has a American head teacher with whom they will have regular check-ups (every 15 days on average). The teacher is available everyday from 4:30PM to 9PM via e-mail, WhatsApp or Skype upon appointment.

Z

Strength of character

Z

Availability and benevolence of the teachers in the US; ‘extended hand’ policy

Z

Gain of a high level of autonomy, responsibility, adaptability and maturity in their schoolwork

Z

Asset for the academic record

Enhancement of the student’s profile for higher education in France or abroad; College Counselling for students who want to study in the US.

Study plan

With Academica International Studies (AIS), the student obtains 6 credits: they enter the program in the  9th (Troisième) or 10th (Seconde) grade. Within these 6 credits, 4 are mandatory: Core Credits, and 2 are electives.

The 4 Core Credits include 2 English credits (I, II or III depending on results at the admissions test), 1 US History credit, 1 US Government/Economy credit.

The 2 Elective Credits are for the student to choose according to their preferences and interests:

  • Digital Photography;
  • Psychology;
  • Public Speaking and Journalism
  • Life Management Skills;
  • Concepts of Engineering & Technology;
  • Criminology;
  • College Entrance Exam Prep*.

* Certain credits have a prerequisite. College Prep prepares the entrance exams for American Universities (SAT or ACT) and requires English III.

Student’s study plan according to their starting year in the program:

In 4 years

In 3 years

In 2 years
9th Grade (Troisième)
 English
10th Grade (Seconde)
 English + Elective English + Elective
11th Grade (Première)
 American History + Elective English + American History English + American History + Elective
12th Grade (Terminale)
 US Government – Economy US Government – Economy
+ Elective		 English + US Government – Economy + Elective

Syllabus

The mission of AIS Dual Diploma’s Program is to allow students outside of the United-States to obtain the High School diploma all the while studying for the French baccalauréat. The objective is to allow these students to become autonomous and responsible and to differentiate themselves by enabling their development in a digital and flexible learning environment, through the use of thought out interactive educational mediums based on innovative technologies and focused on students.

Academia International Studies guarantees to their student:

ACCESS

Access to an extremely diverse, fully-accredited course catalog. Our courses are aligned to both state and national standards.

 INNOVATION

The possibility for student enrichment in a rich and engaging virtual classroom provided by a student-friendly Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS also gives teachers flexibility to enhance course content and adapt requirements and objectives to directly meet individual student needs when needed.
RESPONSIVENESS

Facilitation and feedback will be provided by highly experienced faculty members, who hold valid Florida teaching certificates. Our teachers are professionally trained in online education best practices, and will communicate and collaborate with students adhering to our high standards for faculty responsiveness.

 MENTORSHIP

Students will be closely monitored by teachers and administrators to ensure achievement and success, including a cohesive communications plan that alerts students and parents about progress and pacing so any potential problems or struggles are solved before they become major issues.

Description of the studied courses in the Dual Diploma Program

English I

In this class you are going to participate in a series of online tutorials, state-of-the-art learning modules, oral and written examinations, and creative projects. You will become more knowledgeable about everyday English vocabulary and grammar and highly proficient in practical conversation and day-to-day interaction. You will acquire a variety of skills related to both comprehension and communication in everyday English.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

Semester 1

Semester 2
  • Students will be able to demonstrate, orally and in writing, a clear understanding of everyday English grammar;
  • Students will learn strategies for clear and articulate pronunciation of English vocabulary;
  • Students will learn how to successfully converse in diverse English-language settings and environments;
  • Students will acquire a variety of skills related to both comprehension and communication in everyday English;
  • Students will master the following grammatical structures: the verb to be, pronoun and noun forms, possessive forms, the simple present tense and the present continuous tense;
  • Students will master vocabulary related to the following themes: greetings and introductions, family and friends, describing your home, things we can/can’t do, exchanging information, how much/how many, describing daily routines, and what’s happening.
  • Students will continue to learn strategies for clear and articulate pronunciation of English vocabulary;
  • Students will master the following grammatical structures: the simple past tense, the present perfect tense, adverbs, modals, and future forms;
  • Students will master vocabulary related to the following themes: greetings and introductions, talking about the past, talking about the future, things we have done, routines and actions, past experiences, let’s trade apartments, and comparing people and things.
  • Students will complete creative projects throughout the course where they will be required to apply the knowledge of the English language that they are acquiring and demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral form.

English II

In this class you will continue to participate in a series of online tutorials, state-of-the-art learning modules, oral and written examinations, and creative projects. You will continue to improve your English vocabulary and grammar skills as well as become proficient in more formal settings.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I or the equivalent. Credits 1.0

Major Concepts Covered:

 

Semester 1

Semester 2
  • Students will continue to learn strategies for clear and articulate pronunciation of English vocabulary as well as develop skills necessary for communication in more formal settings;
  • Students will review all grammatical structures from English I;
  • Students will learn how to successfully converse in diverse English-language settings and environments;
  • Students will acquire a variety of skills related to both comprehension and communication in everyday English;
  • Students will master the following grammatical structures: past continuous, past perfect, conditionals, the passive, reported speech and relative clauses;
  • Students will master vocabulary related to the following themes: comparing people and things, past and present, describing past experiences, personal history, plans/ promises/predictions, travel, what if, and hopes and regrets, what did they say, on vacation.
  • Students will continue to learn strategies for clear and articulate pronunciation of English vocabulary as well as develop skills necessary for communication in more formal settings;
  • Students will review the grammatical structures taught in Semester 1 and will learn how to apply higher order thinking skills when dealing with written and spoken texts;
  • Students will master vocabulary related to the following themes: community, career trends, house and home, inventions, the environment, finance, safety preparedness and the arts;
  • Students will complete creative projects throughout the course where they will be required to apply the knowledge of the English language that they are acquiring and demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral form.

English III

The purpose of this course is to give students the tools to understand and express who they are and where they want to go. By the end of the course, each student’s portfolio of writings will provide a descriptive self-portrait of a young adult growing up.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English II or the equivalent. Credits 1.0

Major Concepts Covered:

 

Semester 1

Semester 2
  • Text connections;
  • Identifying theme and how it develops;
  • Moving a story forward;
  • Comparing and contrasting mediums;
  • Using context clues;
  • Thesaurus and dictionary skills;
  • Finding the main idea;
  • Writing an effective summary;
  • Assess internet sources;
  • Reading informational texts;
  • Researching and organizing information;
  • Avoiding plagiarism/citing sources;
  • Writing an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and the conclusion to an essay;
  • Recognizing point of view;
  • Identifying the narrator;
  • Planning narrative writing, beginning a narrative, and writing a narrative;
  • Writing dialogue.

 
  • Identifying conflicting points of view;
  • Using supporting evidence;
  • Presenting information in different mediums;
  • Evaluating modes of communication;
  • Analyzing theme;
  • Figurative language;
  • Syntax and diction;
  • Interpreting implicit and explicit ideas;
  • Identifying irony and puns;
  • Poetic elements;
  • Point of view;
  • Analyzing plot pattern;
  • Interpreting symbolism;
  • Argumentation vs. persuasion;
  • Identifying multiple perspectives on an issue;
  • Finding credible sources;
  • Knowing your audience;
  • Making and supporting a claim;
  • Acknowledging counter-claims;
  • Preparing a rebuttal;
  • Concluding an argument.

 

English IV

The purpose of this course is to provide students integrated English language arts study in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language for college and career preparation and readiness.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English III. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

 

Semester 1

Semester 2
  • Theme, Thematic analysis, Thesis Statement;
  • Idea Development;
  • Proper use of conventions;
  • Characterization;
  • Plot analysis;
  • Six Traits of Writing;
  • Narrative Writing Process;
  • Proper Use of Conventions;
  • Text Structures;
  • Figurative language;
  • Tone, Mood;
  • Diction;
  • Connotation and Denotation;
  • Structure.

 

  • Informational Texts, Text Features;
  • Context;
  • Compare and Contrast;
  • Argument analysis, Argument writing process;
  • Characteristics of an Effective Claim, Counterclaim;
  • Appeals to Logic, Emotion, and Ethics;
  • Logical fallacies;
  • Research skills, Ethical Researching and Writing Practices;
  • Naturalism;
  • Dialect;
  • Figurative language;
  • Syntax;
  • Poetry - Difference between an Essay and a Poem, How to Analyze and Paraphrase Poems.

English V

The purpose of this course is for students to discover how real life is the foundation of the best stories, plays, poems, films, and articles. Students will explore a variety of human experiences such as laughter, obstacles, betrayal, fear, and transformation through the study of literature and writing.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English IV . Credits 1.0

Major Concepts Covered:

Semester 1

Semester 2
  • Poetry;
  • Connotation, Denotation, and Imagery;
  • Humor & Tone;
  • Plot, Pacing, and Point of View;
  • Narrative Writing;
  • Pre-writing Process;
  • Writing Tips;
  • The Hurdle: Understand Various Types of Writing, Determine an Author's Purpose in Writing, Make a Prediction about a Topic;
  • Historical Context and Human Rights;
  • Point of View;
  • The Victory: Analyzing Writing Prompts, How to Identify Topics, Gathering Information;
  • Analysis, Research and Citations;
  • Outlining;
  • Grammar.
  • Fear, Fear in Film;
  • Surprise;
  • Project Runaway: Understanding of Universal Themes in a Film Critique, Analyze the Techniques that Authors Use to Explore and Communicate Themes, Evaluate a Director's Use of Literary and Film Techniques to Create Suspense;
  • Apostrophes and Homonyms;
  • Julius Caesar;
  • Argumentative Writing;
  • Claims and Counterclaims;
  • Develop Your Position;
  • Outline Your Argument;
  • Write your Argument;
  • Using Word Parts to Decipher the Meaning of Words;
  • How to Use Phrases and Fragments for Effect.

Economy

In this course, you will recognize examples of economics in your daily life. You will see how the economic choices of larger groups, like businesses and governments, affect you and others.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I or the equivalent and United States Government. Credits .5

Major Concepts Covered:

  • Study of Economics, Scarcity and Choice
  • Opportunity Cost
  • Supply and Demand
  • Money, Wants and Needs
  • Career and Income
  • Taxes
  • Saving and Investing, Credit
  • Budgets
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Factors of Production
  • Business Organization, Market Competition
  • Marginal Cost Analysis
  • Production Possibilities
  • Business Cycle
  • Government and the Economy
  • The Federal Reserve
  • Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy
  • Economic Goals and Measurement
  • Comparative Advantage and Trade
  • Inflation
  • Circular Flow
  • Public Policy Analysis

United-States Governement

You will gain a greater understanding on the history of the United States of America’s beginnings, and knowledge of how government functions at the local, state and national levels.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I or the equivalent. Credits .5

Major Concepts Covered:

  • Origins of Modern Government and Types of Government
  • Enlightenment Influences
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Articles of Confederation
  • The Constitution
  • Branches of Government, Checks and Balances and Federalism
  • Judicial Branch, the Court System, and the Supreme Court
  • The Amendments and the Bill of Rights
  • Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
  • The Legislative Branch, Powers of Congress and Congressional Elections
  • Role of Political Parties and Interest Groups
  • How a Bill Becomes a Law
  • The Executive Branch, Presidential Elections and the Cabinet
  • Citizenship and the Rights and Responsibilities of United States Citizens
  • Voting Rights and Responsibilities

United-States History

In this course, you will look at some of the most profound questions that thoughtful United States still debate. You will research many important events throughout the history of the United States of America. In the process, you will witness the development of the United States throughout its history to today’s superpower status.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0

Major Concepts Covered:

 

 

Semester 1

Semester 2
  • Understanding the chronological order of historical events;
  • Understanding the connections between historical events;
  • Generating inferences around historical events;
  • Interpreting Primary and Secondary sources;
  • Civil War;
  • Reconstruction;
  • Westward Expansion;
  • Industrial Revolution;
  • Populism;
  • Push and Pull Factors of Immigration;
  • Social Reform;
  • Imperialism.
  • World War One;
  • The Roaring Twenties;
  • The Great Depression;
  • World War Two;
  • Cold War;
  • Korean War;
  • Vietnam War;
  • Civil Rights Movement;
  • 1970s;
  • 1980s;
  • 1990s;
  • The Millennium;
  • Terrorism.

College Entrance Exam prep

In this course, you will practise thinking stratefies, build verbal competence, and sharpen your matheatics reasoning. You will acquire essential test-taking strategies.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

  • College Entrance Exam vocabulary, requirements and facts;

  • Vocabulary: word meaning, roots, prefixes and suffixes, sentence types, sentence completion, literary termas and transitional words;

  • Critical reading;

  • Inferences;

  • Point of view;

  • Author's tone and attitude;

  • Long and short reading passages;

  • Understanding reading passages and determining main ideas;

  • Web use for self enhancement in vocabulary;

  • Algebraic expressions and mistakes;

  • Changing word problems into math problems;

  • Math - rate, distance, work, cost and mixture problems;

  • Simultanious equations;

  • Factoring quadratics;

  • Inequalities;

  • Binomials and trinomials

  • Direct and inverse variation;

  • Functions;

  • Probability;

  • Rational and Radical Equations;

  • Graphing equations and absolute value;

  • Geometry including: coordinate geometry, Pythagorean theorem, parallel and transversal lines, area and perimeter, triangles, rectangles, polygons and circles surface area;

  • Permutations and combinations: Alphanumeric problems, Logic, Graphs/Charts;

  • Writing Essays: using essay prompts, brainstorming and planning, word choice, elaboration sentence type;

  • Grammar: identifying errors and punctuation.

Concepts of engineering & technology

In this course, you’ll be exploring the various fields of this occupation, its history, the important role it plays in human life, and the ethical issues related to engineering.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

  • Development & Understanding of Engineering;
  • Intro to Engineering: Making Problems into Ideas;
  • From Sketches to Products;
  • Civil Engineering;
  • Mechanical Engineering;
  • Chemical Engineering;
  • Biological Engineering;
  • Impossible Engineering.

Criminology

In this course, students will explore the field of criminology or the study of crime. In doing so, students will look at possible explanations for crime from psychological, biological, and sociological standpoints, explore the various types of crime and their consequences for society, and investigate how crime and criminals are handled by the criminal justice system.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0 Major.

Concepts Covered:

  • Learn what crime is and how it is related to deviance;
  • Discuss what criminology is and how it relates to other disciplines;
  • Investigate legitimate reasons why a crime might be excused;
  • Examine crime statistic sources and the issues with each;
  • Look at some of the research methods that criminologists use to study crime.

Digital photography

In this course, students will learn creative photographic skills and processes. Students will build a portfolio of work and explore the fields of photography and graphic arts.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

  • Introduction and History of Photography;
  • Aperture and Shutter Speed;
  • Composition and Lighting;
  • Special Techniques;
  • People and Photography;
  • Landscapes and Places;
  • The Close Up;
  • Documentary and Action.

Life management skills

The purpose of this course is to produce health literate students that make sound decisions and take positive actions for healthy and effective living. The course is wellness oriented and emphasizes responsible decision-making and planning for a healthy lifestyle.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

  • Responsible decision-making;
  • Goal-setting, including personal health and individual wellness planning;
  • Positive emotional development, including the prevention of depression and suicide;
  • Communication, interpersonal and coping skills, including prevention of bullying and Internet safety;
  • Nutrition and physical activity;
  • Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use and abuse;
  • Analyzing health information and consumer knowledge;
  • Health-related community resources;
  • Health advocacy skills;
  • Making Financial Decisions;
  • Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles;
  • Effective Study Skills;
  • Time Management;
  • Career Planning;
  • Leadership Skills;
  • Netiquette and Proper Online Behavior;
  • Peer Pressure;
  • Genetic Disorders;
  • Human Impacts on the Environment;
  • Media Literacy;
  • Volunteering in the Community.

Psychology

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the subfields within psychology.

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

  • The evolution of psychology;
  • The biological bases of behavior;
  • Sensation and perception;
  • Consciousness and dreams;
  • Human development;
  • Learning and memory and intelligence;
  • Psychological disorders and therapy;
  • Social psychology.

Public Speaking and Journalism

In the first semester of this course, students will learn about public speaking. They will learn what makes a great speech or presentation and how to write their own. Students will also learn how to combat stage fright and how to deliver a great speech. In the second semester, students will learn about what journalism is and how to become a good journalist. They will learn about different types of journalism and why journalism is important. 

Prerequisites: None. Credits 1.0.

Major Concepts Covered:

  • Analyzing Social Problems;
  • Mass Media;
  • Poverty;
  • Education;
  • Crime;
  • Population and the Environment;
  • War & Terrorism.

Studying time and calendar

Studying time is 2 to 5 hours per week on average, depending on the student’s abilities and the number of courses taken. This time includes individual work and classes. The student must be consistent and connect online each week. The school year is comprised of 2 semesters, school breaks are that of an American student.

First semester :
From October 9th 2023 to February 2th 2024, allows the student to correctly start their French studies ;

Second semester :
From February 12th 2024 to May 31th 2024.

American teachers

Making digital learning more humane is the daily leitmotiv for the pool of American teachers, selected among Academica’s 4500 instructors. At the heart of the program is a highly qualified team that knows of the best practices for traditional, digital, flipped classroom style, differentiated instruction. They constantly find the best digital tools, and create them when non-existent. They liven up the Live Session alternately with debates, role play, serious games, and enable every student to participate, including the shyer ones. Competency, availability and benevolence are qualities common to all. A teacher is assigned to each student for the year.

Grading and criteria for graduation

To pass a semester, the student needs to obtain a minimum of 70% in each course (credit). Continuous monitoring allows the student to know where they are at, to improve by redoing homework, or ask for extra credit work.

If at the end of the first semester the students obtains 65%, they will have to obtain 75% for the second semester to pass that year. Bellow 60%, the student will be let go, considering that they have not given the minimum required effort.

The student must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), equivalent to a minimum average of 70% in all of their courses. To validate the American High School Diploma’s 18 credits, the family provide AIS all official French transcripts from the 8th to 12th grade. An average of 10 on 20 in each course allows credits to be validated.

Graduation

Graduation is in the beginning of July with the presence of officials from the American embassy or consulate, and of Academica’s French and American executive teams.

dual diploma. high school diploma, ce diplome est reconnu par toutes les universités aux états unis et dans le monde
This certified diploma is recognized by all Universities in the United-States and in the world.

Photo of the 2019 Graduation in France

Necessary equipment

Computer with a camera, access to internet, earphones.

Prices

Contact a partnering school or  Academica France. 

Information meeting
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“My name is Alissa Longo. I live in Northern Virginia, right outside of Washington, D.C.. This year marks my 14th year teaching. I have loved this journey. I received my bachelor’s degree from Towson University in Maryland and my master’s degree from Wright State University in Ohio. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart and we have a little boy named Preston and a little girl named Shelby. My goal is to create impactful learning experiences for my students that are unforgettable ( in order to help reach their highest potential.)”

Alissa Longo

American Teacher
“Hello! My name is Heather Simmons, and I am excited to be a Global Teacher with the Dual Diploma Program. I was born and raised in Greenwood, South Carolina. I moved to DeFuniak Springs, Florida with my husband (Josh) in 2005 and since have had three children (Reagan, Amelia, and Lucas). I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Science in Education from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. I have been teaching for eleven years and have a passion for seeing my students learn, excel, and succeed. Prior to joining the Dual Diploma faculty, I spent seven years as a traditional classroom teacher and three years as a media specialist.

It is my belief that education can change the world. By providing my students with an engaging and effective learning environment, I am not just teaching them a skill but helping students become lifelong learners“

Heather Simons

Global Teacher of the Dual Diploma Program
“Hello! I’m Anna and I’m 15 years old. I have a little brother. I’m French and I live in Paris near Bastille Quarter. I love dancing, playing the guitar, reading, drawing, and spending some time with my friends! At school, I prefer studying Biology and Physics. I also love traveling and discovering new things, news places, new people, and also speaking English! It’s the reason I study with the Dual Diploma Program. With it, I learned that I love taking photographs and learning all the techniques of this art. I’m very happy and so proud to be the student of the month of March !”

Anna Mayer-Sissler

French Student