Misk Schools Diploma Sets New Educational Standard

Misk Schools was founded in 2016 by HRH Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. From day one, the mandate was clear – we exist to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by instilling in students the knowledge, values, and skills they need to grow into leaders of themselves, of others, and in their field of study. As the school matures, so too does its curriculum and pedagogy. Of particular note is the curation of the leaving certificate students work towards in their senior years, which has been developed to prepare them for their post-school journey and demonstrate their holistic strengths to universities around the world. The first students to complete this innovative program will graduate at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Misk Schools Diploma is built around four core components: Leadership, Internships, International Academic Studies, and National Academic and Identity Studies. To earn the diploma, students must meet minimum requirements in all four areas.

1. The Leadership component develops students' ability to lead with integrity and purpose, preparing them to be critical thinkers and future leaders at home and abroad. It includes lessons, coaching, boot camps, and the completion of a professional certification in team management.

2. Internships in Grades 9 and 11 provide real-world experience, allowing students to apply their learning in professional settings, build workplace competencies and gain valuable insights into their chosen career paths. Students produce a reflective thesis on each internship, which is externally assessed.

3. The International Academic studies component follows the globally recognised Cambridge curriculum, providing students with a rigorous education that meets international standards and enhances their competitiveness for admission to top universities worldwide. Qualifications include IGCSEs in Grade 10, and A-levels or BTEC in Grade 12. All students also take the IELTS international English language test.

4. Complementing this is the National Academic component, which is delivered in Arabic and dedicated to the Ministry of Education's Saudi National Identity Subjects. This ensures that students not only excel academically but also gain a deep understanding of their national heritage and culture. All students sit the national Tahsili and Qudrat exams from the Saudi Education and Training Evaluation Commission.

Building on its adoption of the Cambridge curriculum, Misk Schools has also collaborated with Cambridge University Press & Assessment to validate this innovative diploma. The diploma certificates will be jointly issued with Cambridge and acknowledge students’ achievements across all four components. This ensures that students’ broader achievements, as well as their academic qualifications, are recognised as meeting high standards.

Read more about Exploring Secondary Pathways in Join the Conversation , Designing an Innovative High School Diploma Together, and The International School of Panama’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Diploma Playbook.