4 . DoDEA and some states require two years of a foreign language with both years being in the same language . If your child arrives with one year of Chinese , but the new school doesn ’ t offer Chinese he / she may have to start a new language , or perhaps a class in the DoDEA Virtual School may fit the bill here as well . Also consider your options when selecting classes if you will be leaving Europe before those years of a language are completed . Know your location ’ s requirements when you make that foreign language selection . Check 50 state HS graduation requirements
5 . Compare your current school with
DoDEA ’ s graduation requirements . If your child is a senior and you discover the different graduation requirements may mean he / she won ’ t graduate , it is possible in some circumstances to graduate with your previous school ’ s graduation standards in your new school . ( You would receive a diploma from your old school ) Seek assistance from your guidance counselors .
6 . Check out the
DoDEA Europe website to find your school ’ s webpage . It includes a catalog of courses offered at the school as well other helpful information . If you aren ’ t sure which school to check or need more info , contact
the SLO .
7 . Review college admission and
SAT &
ACT testing dates . Consider completing the test prior to departure . You can re-take these , but at least you won ’ t be caught without a score if deadlines loom . Schools in Europe follow an “ international ” testing schedule for these assessments and fewer dates are available . Plan ahead !
8 . When transferring credits , you may need to advocate for your child . For example , maybe your child didn ’ t take a course in nutrition , but a health course might satisfy that credit requirement . Negotiate any credits that won ' t transfer . This process canbe more flexible than it seems . Sometimes classes that don ' t match up exactly at the new school can still be credited as a similar class that the new school does offer . Schools will usually work with you to get the most out of your children ' s credits , especially if it might affect their graduation dates , so be polite but still assertive .