Key takeaways
Living in France doesn't mean your child has to follow the French baccalauréat track. A US high school diploma is achievable from anywhere – including Paris, Lyon, or Bordeaux – through a WASC-accredited American online school. The diploma is the same. The location isn't.
- A US high school diploma earned through a WASC-accredited online school is recognized by American universities and many institutions worldwide
- It does not require physical attendance at a school in France or the US
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses strengthen university applications regardless of where your child lives
- French families and expats alike can pursue an American diploma – the key variable is accreditation, not geography
Contents
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
What a US High School Diploma Actually Requires
A US high school diploma is awarded upon completion of a set number of credits across core and elective subjects – typically English Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign language, and electives. The exact credit requirements vary by school and accreditation body. At Legacy Online School, the Standard track requires 24 credits. Accelerated: 18. Honors: 24 credits with a higher GPA threshold.
“High school transcripts are necessary for almost every college application. They give college admissions officers a quick overview of a student’s academic performance and help them decide who to admit.”
— College Board Blog, What’s a High School Transcript?
None of this requires being in the United States. Or attending a physical school in France. The program is online. Live classes run Monday to Friday. Teachers are qualified and grade work in real time. The credential issued at the end is WASC-accredited – the same accreditation standard used by leading American private schools.
Physical Schools in France Offering American Programs
Some families in France prefer a physical school experience. Several international schools in the Paris area offer American curriculum programs or dual diploma options. Notre-Dame International High School, near Paris, offers a dual diploma program combining the French baccalauréat with an American high school diploma – with French language instruction maintained throughout. The American School of Paris follows the American curriculum through 12th grade in a day school format.
These are legitimate options – but they come with physical attendance requirements, geographic constraints (mostly Paris area), and tuition figures that frequently exceed €20,000 per year for secondary school. They are also not available to families outside the Paris area or those with frequently relocating households.
The Fontaine family – a Franco-American couple who moved from Paris to Bordeaux in 2023 – had enrolled their daughter at an international school in Paris. The move ended that. Within three weeks they had her enrolled in Legacy’s online high school program. Same American curriculum, same diploma track. No geographic constraint. Tuition at a fraction of the Paris school cost.
How Legacy’s Program Works
Legacy Online School is a WASC-accredited private online school operating in 30+ countries since 2023. We hold College Board Level I status (school code 000114). The curriculum is delivered through FlexPoint Education Cloud, developed by Florida Virtual School.
Three formats available. Live Group runs daily – up to 15 pupils, real teachers, real feedback. One-on-One is built entirely around your child’s schedule. Self-Paced has no fixed timetable; teachers grade work and respond, but your child moves at their own pace. All three lead to the same WASC-accredited diploma.
For college preparatory track, 19 AP courses are available. AP scores from Legacy are accepted by 500+ universities in over 75 countries. The school profile has confirmed university acceptances.
What About Dual Diplomas?
Some families want both – the French baccalauréat and a US high school diploma. This is achievable. A child enrolled in a French lycée can take AP courses through Legacy’s part-time K-12 program alongside their bac program. The AP scores build a US university application profile. The bac keeps French higher education open.
Legacy does not issue a dual credential directly. What we provide is the American side of that equation: a WASC-accredited transcript and AP course access. The French side stays with the lycée.
“Our programs provide academic credentials that colleges and universities in the U.S. and 60+ other countries recognize and respect. More than 4,000 colleges and universities worldwide consider AP and SAT scores when granting credit or making admission and placement decisions.”
The Marchand family in Nantes took exactly this approach: their son stayed enrolled at his local lycée général for the bac, and added two AP courses through Legacy in 11th grade – AP US History and AP English Language. Both scored 4. His US university application had a French academic record plus a verified AP transcript. He applied to three American universities. Two offers came back.
Top Tips from Our Expert
Maya Robinson, College Prep Advisor at Legacy Online School
- A US high school diploma is not a universal document – accreditation matters. A certificate from a non-accredited online school may not be recognized by US universities. Always verify WASC or equivalent accreditation before enrolling.
- If your child plans to apply to American universities, start AP courses in 10th or 11th grade. Two or three AP courses with strong scores (4 or 5) carry significant weight in US admissions.
- The Paris area has legitimate physical American schools – Notre-Dame International High School and the American School of Paris among them. For families outside Paris, or those whose assignment might move them again, an online school removes the geographic dependency entirely.
- Legacy’s college guidance program supports US university application strategy from transcript planning to application review. Start this process no later than 10th grade.
- A free trial class is available before any enrollment commitment. One lesson for your child, one parent meeting with the team. No payment required.
Disclaimer: Legacy Online School is a WASC-accredited international private online school. Programs are available to expat and internationally mobile families in France. Compulsory education requirements in France depend on individual residency and visa status. Legacy does not provide legal or immigration advice.
