In today’s interconnected world, educational institutions are looking for innovative ways to offer students globally recognized credentials and diverse learning opportunities. The Stony Brook School’s Dual Diploma Program, delivered through Gravitas—its online global extension—enables schools around the world to provide their students with a U.S.-accredited high school diploma alongside their local secondary education. This unique program broadens horizons, strengthens academic credentials, and enhances college and career prospects for participating students. Below, we explore why partnering with The Stony Brook School (SBS) through Gravitas can be a game-changer for your institution.
A Tradition of Excellence
Founded in 1922, The Stony Brook School has established itself as a pioneer in faith-based, character-driven, and academically rigorous education. With a commitment to developing well-rounded leaders of character, SBS is consistently ranked among the top Christian boarding schools in the United States. Through Gravitas, its online global extension, SBS brings its time-tested academic approach to a wider audience, delivering a virtual learning environment that maintains the same level of excellence and rigor.
The Dual Diploma Program through Gravitas leverages SBS’s experienced faculty, comprehensive curriculum, and personalized learning methods. By wisely integrating educational technology with SBS’s highly engaging pedagogical practices, partner schools can enrich their academic offerings without overhauling their current curricula.
What Makes the Dual Diploma Program Stand Out?
1. Rigorous U.S. Curriculum
The Dual Diploma Program follows the high academic standards of The Stony Brook School, ensuring that students who complete the program earn a U.S. high school diploma recognized worldwide. Courses are aligned with American education requirements, making them especially valuable for students aiming to attend universities in the United States or pursue global career opportunities.
2. Seamless Integration with Local Education
Students remain enrolled at their local school while simultaneously taking SBS courses online. This model allows them to fulfill requirements for both diplomas efficiently, blending the best of local cultural and educational practices with an internationally recognized curriculum.
3. Flexible, Engaging Online Learning Environment
Gravitas’s online platform offers asynchronous and synchronous learning modules, interactive discussion boards, and a wealth of digital resources that empower students to learn in a flexible manner. Guided by expert SBS faculty and supported by local school mentors, students receive personalized attention, timely feedback, and community-based support.
4. Character and Global Competency
The Stony Brook School is deeply committed to character formation and global citizenship. Through the Dual Diploma Program, students engage with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, broadening their worldview and enhancing their critical thinking and communication skills—attributes that are highly valued in university admissions and the modern workforce.
Benefits for Partner Schools
1. Competitive Edge in the Global Education Market
As international competition in the education sector grows, schools that offer a dual diploma enjoy a distinct advantage in attracting families looking for robust academic and extracurricular opportunities. By partnering with SBS and Gravitas, schools can instantly upgrade their portfolio and gain recognition for offering a U.S.-accredited credential.
2. Enhanced Student Outcomes
Students who graduate with a dual diploma are well-prepared for success in top universities in the U.S. and around the globe. Equipped with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership abilities nurtured by the SBS curriculum, they stand out in college applications and scholarship opportunities, reflecting positively on the partner school’s academic reputation.
3. Cost-Effective and Scalable
Establishing a high-quality international curriculum independently can be expensive and resource-intensive. Through the SBS Dual Diploma Program, partner schools leverage the expertise, resources, and accreditation of The Stony Brook School without carrying the full overhead cost of developing and maintaining a parallel academic system. Moreover, the program can scale up or down, depending on student interest and enrollment numbers, ensuring financial viability.
Program Structure and Ongoing Support
The Dual Diploma Program can begin as early as 5th grade or as late as 10th grade, although the exact timing may vary depending on the student’s existing coursework and the partner school’s structure. Students dedicate part of their week to online classes taught by SBS faculty, supplemented by local mentorship. Regular progress check-ins, semester reports, and virtual office hours ensure that no student falls behind.
Gravitas offers a robust learning management system (Canvas), user-friendly for both students and partner schools. Course materials, assignments, and discussion forums are organized intuitively, making it easy for students to track their progress. Parents, local school administrators, and teachers can also monitor student performance, ensuring a supportive, transparent environment. Additionally, Gravitas leverages the best educational technology tools like Flint AI to personalize the learning experience and make homework more interactive.
Building a Global Community
One of the most valuable aspects of the Dual Diploma Program is the global community it fosters. Students from different countries and cultural backgrounds collaborate on group projects, exchange ideas in discussion forums, and engage in lively real-time debates and discussions over WebEx. These interactions help students develop cross-cultural competence and forge international friendships—experiences that remain invaluable long after they graduate.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Partner
As the demand for globalized education grows, forward-thinking institutions are seizing the opportunity to expand their offerings. By joining forces with SBS and Gravitas, your school can stay ahead of the curve, offering a truly international experience without sacrificing local values and identity. With the ongoing shift toward digital learning environments, there has never been a better time to incorporate a top-tier online education program into your institution’s portfolio.
Shape Tomorrow’s Leaders Together
Partnering with The Stony Brook School’s Gravitas Dual Diploma Program provides your students with the skills, credentials, and character formation they need to excel in a rapidly evolving world. By combining local excellence with SBS’s recognized track record, you can elevate your school’s reputation, empower your educators, and give your students a significant advantage in their future academic and professional endeavors.
If you’re ready to explore a partnership or want to learn more about how the Dual Diploma Program can work for your institution, visit Gravitas or reach out to our dedicated partnership team today. Together, we can shape tomorrow’s global leaders.
Next Steps
To learn more about how The Stony Brook School’s Dual Diploma Program through Gravitas can be tailored to your students’ needs, we invite prospective partners to review the course list and descriptions on our Dual Diploma Page. We are also happy to discuss including additional courses from our full course catalog, available on our Gravitas Academics Page.. If you have any questions or would like to explore a partnership, please reach out to Michael Webster at michael.webster@sbs.org. We look forward to collaborating with you to create an exceptional learning journey for your students.
