About the program and the school
The Full-Time Program is a full-fledged American online high school. Students typically earn the required 24 credits over the course of 4 years, though it is possible to accelerate their studies to as little as about 2 years if they complete all coursework ahead of schedule and advance to the next grade more quickly. Upon completion of the program, they receive an American High School Diploma (accredited by SACS CASI—a division of Cognia).
The American High School Full-Time Program at JDJ is a serious alternative to traditional school. It is based primarily on formative assessment—many smaller, varied, and often practical assignments instead of large, stressful exams, on which most of the final grade depends in traditional schools. Students learn through individual lesson modules and communicate with teachers from the U.S. online—via chat, email, and calls. The program does not include (often unproductive) real-time group lessons with a teacher.
The Dual Diploma Program allows students to simultaneously complete their Polish high school education and earn an American high school diploma through distance learning. All that is required is to earn 6 credits (2–3 American courses per year) in subjects such as U.S. History, Economics with Financial Literacy, U.S. Politics & Government, or English & Literature.
We offer complete American educational programs at the following levels:
- American Online Elementary School Program, grades 1–5,
- American Online Middle School Program, grades 6–8,
- American Online High School Program, grades 9–12.
JDJ International Open Schools (JDJ IOS) is an international educational ecosystem through which students can, among other options, complete an American online high school program — an accredited American High School program from Florida, USA — and earn an American High School Diploma, recognized worldwide, including by universities in Poland.
Learning takes place fully online, flexibly, and individually, making it easy to combine with education at a Polish secondary school as part of the Dual Diploma program, also known as a “double diploma,” or to complete a full-time American online high school program through the Full Time option. The JDJ IOS model also allows students to freely combine education with sports, travel, work, or the development of their own passions.
The program is delivered through individual lesson modules, without real-time group lessons or live classes. The dominant form of assessment is formative assessment: students complete a wide range of assignments and projects instead of a few large, stressful exams.
Communication with subject teachers from the USA takes place individually and electronically — via chat, email, or phone calls. Students receive regular, personalized feedback and also have access to support from a student counsellor, coordinators, and, optionally, a JDJ educational mentor. In addition, students can participate in virtual school clubs in the Student Lounge, where they can build international friendships.
AP courses are advanced, college-level subjects developed by the American College Board — they let students take selected subjects at a more demanding level while still in high school. They are sometimes required when applying to specific fields of study (for example, a top university may expect a medical-school candidate to have completed an advanced-level subject — Honors or AP — in biology).
It’s worth distinguishing between completing an AP course and sitting the AP exam: some universities require only course completion, while others also expect a qualifying exam score. Students who achieve a qualifying score on the AP exam may receive college credits — which at many universities in the US and worldwide can shorten their studies or reduce the number of courses required in the first year.
AP courses are also a strong asset in admissions — they show that a student takes on academic challenges and is ready for university-level work.
Yes. Student-athletes can take courses approved by the NCAA Eligibility Center, which allows them to meet the requirements for NCAA varsity teams and apply for athletic scholarships at U.S. colleges.
Important: Please let us know well in advance—preferably at the start of the school year—if you wish to take NCAA-accredited courses. Only then can we ensure that the student takes the appropriate set of courses that will be recognized by the NCAA.
Admissions and academic programs
Yes. You can join at any time—including in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade. Just review your report cards, and we’ll convert them to the U.S. grading system so you don’t lose any of your previous grades.
Yes, JDJ IOS offers education from first grade of elementary school through high school. Students in the American middle school (grades 6–8) can automatically continue their education in high school without having to take the eighth-grade exam. Elementary school-level education requires a time commitment from the student’s parent or guardian.
Yes. The American High School Program (both Full-Time and Dual Diploma) at JDJ IOS can be started in any month of the year.
The standard school year lasts 10 months from the activation of the student’s account.
Students who complete all required modules, assignments, and coursework ahead of schedule can finish the school year earlier. It’s also possible to extend an individual school year by an additional 2 months for an extra fee.
Not every school is required to issue student ID cards. This requirement depends on the school’s bylaws and applicable laws. JDJ students enrolled in the American High School Program use the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
The ISIC is an international ID card confirming student status, accepted by many institutions, carriers, and entities offering discounts to students—both in Poland and abroad.
In practice, depending on the applicable regulations and rules of a specific carrier, institution, or local government entity, the ISIC card may be accepted for certain discounts, in particular:
- on public transportation,
- on rail and regional transportation,
- at cultural institutions, sports facilities, and entertainment venues.
Eligibility for specific discounts in Poland may depend, among other things, on:
- the student’s residency status,
- citizenship (e.g., citizenship of a European Union member state),
- how a given carrier or institution applies the regulations.
Discounts are applied on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the terms and conditions of the relevant entity and are not automatic. ISIC does not guarantee the granting of a specific statutory discount, and the decision to honor it rests with the carrier or institution.
Eligibility is confirmed by presenting a valid
The process consists of a few simple steps:
- Free consultation via email or phone.
- Review of transcripts from all completed high school grades—or from the final grade of elementary school.
- Translation of transcripts and signing of the contract.
- Payment of the registration fee and activation of the student account.
The entire process takes approximately 14 business days.
It depends on the country and the specific university.
In Poland, the SAT and ACT are usually not required — these are part of the American system, and Polish universities admit candidates with an American diploma primarily on the basis of their high school diploma, converting the grades (GPA) to the applicable scale.
It’s worth remembering, however, that some universities may have additional requirements for candidates with a foreign diploma — occasionally a particular program or university will ask for an SAT score, for example. That’s why we always recommend checking the admission requirements for candidates with an American diploma directly with your chosen university.
In the US, the vast majority of universities (over 90% in the 2026 cycle) follow a test-optional policy, which means applicants don’t have to submit SAT or ACT scores, and not submitting them doesn’t reduce their chances of admission. In that case, school grades (GPA), the level of courses taken, the student’s activities, and other parts of the application carry more weight. Some of the most selective universities (including most of the Ivy League and MIT), however, have reinstated the SAT/ACT requirement in recent years.
Exam policies are updated from year to year, so before applying it’s always worth checking the current requirements on your chosen university’s website.
Costs and payments
Yes. You can start with a single course or the Dual Diploma program, which includes two subjects per year. Once you decide to continue, the credits you have earned will count toward your diploma.
Yes. Tuition can be paid in 3 or 10 installments during the school year. When paying in installments, the total amount is slightly higher than with upfront payment.
The basic fees are:
- Transcript analysis, grade conversion, and transfer – 100 USD
- Certified translation of transcripts – 35 USD per document (or arranged independently)
- Enrollment in the American school records system – 500 USD
- Annual tuition for the American High School Program:
- 2,800 USD – Full-Time program
- 1,450 USD – Dual Diploma program
Additional AP/CTE courses cost 400–600 USD per 0.5–1 credit.
An optional educational mentor service is also available:
- Edu Mentor Standard – 270 USD per 8-hour package
- Edu Mentor Premium – 400 USD per 8-hour package
Requirements and course structure
For middle school, an A2 level is sufficient, and for high school, an B1 level is required. A grade of at least a 4 in English at school is sufficient. If in doubt, you can take the JDJ placement test.
We recommend studying for about 4 hours a day on weekdays, which allows you to complete the course in 10 months. Students can study at a faster pace to finish sooner, or spread the material out over a longer period of time.
Students study independently on the JDJ IOS platform, with 24/7 access to videos, quizzes, educational games, and e-textbooks. They can contact teachers via online consultations, email, or chat. Thematic clubs and student gatherings are also available.
You can extend the school year by two months or retake a course without losing your academic progress. The JDJ IOS system guarantees flexibility and a secure learning environment.
Diploma and legality
Under Article 36(10) of the Polish Education Law, the compulsory schooling and compulsory education obligations may be fulfilled by attending a school abroad.
By 30 September each year, parents are required to inform the principal of the public primary school for the district in which the child resides that the child is fulfilling their compulsory schooling or compulsory education obligation abroad.
JDJ IOS can provide a ready-to-use template for this notification and assist with the formalities. We also recommend enclosing a VOE (Verification of Enrollment) document confirming the student’s enrollment and ongoing study at the American school.
The above applies to students residing in Poland who are subject to the Polish compulsory schooling or compulsory education obligation. Students residing in other countries are subject to the regulations applicable in their country of residence.
Yes. The document is certified (with an Apostille) by the Florida Department of State and accepted by universities around the world, including in Poland.
- It makes applying to universities in Poland, Europe, and the USA easier.
- It may exempt students from language exams such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- It allows students to earn AP credits, which can shorten the duration of university studies.
- The diploma is accredited by Cognia and recognized worldwide.
Student support and development
We issue a School Clearance, which allows you to pause your studies during the exchange and resume them when you return. After the exchange, your Student Counselor will assess which subjects completed at the American school can be recognized and counted as credits in our program. This way, you don’t lose a year or your existing academic progress.
We offer a wide selection of elective courses, including Psychology, Film Production, Entrepreneurship, Gaming, Cosmetology, Public Speaking, Digital Photography, and many others.
You can find the full list of available courses in the Program Guide.
A mentor is a student’s personal advisor who helps them plan their studies, motivates them, and supports them during challenging times. This service is optional, but it significantly simplifies online learning and improves effectiveness.
Flexibility and possibilities
One of the biggest differences is the use of formative assessment rather than summative assessment methods based mainly on major exams. Students regularly receive feedback from their teachers, complete a variety of assessments and assignments, and learn steadily throughout the year.
The program does not include regular, mandatory group lessons in real time. Instead, each student has access to subject teachers and can reach them individually via Microsoft Teams, email, school platform or other agreed forms of communication — so they can get a teacher’s support whenever they need it.
Unlike a traditional classroom, where everyone moves through the material at the same pace, the American High School Program with JDJ IOS lets each student adjust their pace to their own abilities, strengths, and educational goals. Students who do well with a given topic can move ahead to the next one instead of waiting for the rest of the class, while those who find a subject more challenging can spend more time on it and draw on individual support from their teacher.
As a result, students develop not only knowledge but also independence, time management, responsibility for their own learning, research skills, academic writing, and critical thinking. Because progress is assessed on an ongoing basis rather than through just a few major exams, learning is less stressful and better reflects a student’s real abilities.
Yes. If you complete all modules and coursework ahead of schedule, you can finish each school year much faster than the standard 10 months. Some students have completed an entire year in as little as 2–3 months.
With a very intensive pace, it’s even possible to complete the full 4-year high school program in around 2 years.
