High School Credit Hours at Our Ajman Campus
Grades 9 to 12 · American Curriculum
How students earn high school credit hours at our Ajman campus
A high school credit is the unit we use to record a completed course. One full credit usually reflects a subject studied across a whole academic year, roughly 120 classroom hours. From Grade 9 to Grade 12, City American School students build these credits across English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, then add electives and Advanced Placement (AP) courses on top. Every credit counts toward a recognized high school diploma that graduates carry into universities in the UAE and abroad.
The basics
What a credit hour actually measures
Credits turn four years of study into a clear, portable record. A year-long core subject is worth one credit, a shorter or half-year course is worth half a credit, and the totals add up on the transcript a student presents to universities. The system is the same one used across American schools, which keeps our transcripts easy to read for admissions officers here and overseas.
- One credit reflects a full academic year of a subject
- Half-year and elective courses carry partial credit
- Credits are logged every year, Grade 9 through Grade 12
- The running total shows exactly what is left before graduation
Credit hours sit at the center of our American high school program, where each course a student passes moves them one step closer to the diploma.
Graduation requirements
Credits required to graduate, subject by subject
Students need a minimum of 24 credits to graduate from City American High School. The credits are spread across nine subject areas so that every graduate leaves with a balanced record of core academics, languages, the arts and technology, alongside the subjects required by the UAE Ministry of Education.
| Subject area | Credits |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4 |
| Science | 4 |
| Social Studies | 3 |
| Physical / Health Education | 2 |
| Foreign Language (includes 4 credits of Arabic) | 2 |
| Creative Arts | 1 |
| Islamic Studies (for Muslim students) | 2 |
| ICT & Elective Credits | 2 |
| Total | 24 |
Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies follow UAE Ministry of Education requirements and sit inside this credit structure rather than beside it. Parents weighing the two systems can read our guide on how the American curriculum works alongside UAE Ministry of Education subjects to see how both fit together across the four high school years.
Beyond the minimum
Advanced Placement and college entrance prep
The 24 credits are the floor, not the ceiling. Students who want a stronger university profile take Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which carry the same academic weight recognized by universities worldwide and can earn college credit before a student even arrives on campus. City American School is an AP Center approved by the College Board and an SAT accredited center, so students prepare and, in many cases, sit these assessments on their own campus.
AP courses
College-level classes across sciences, mathematics, the arts and world languages, weighted for competitive applications.
PSAT and SAT
Structured preparation for the PSAT and SAT, the entrance assessments that shape university applications in the US and beyond.
IELTS readiness
English-language preparation for IELTS, opening applications to universities that require proof of English proficiency.
Where the diploma travels
A diploma recognized for university, here and across the Arab world
Once a student completes the 24 credits, they earn a recognized high school diploma that opens pathways to universities and opportunities worldwide. For families planning to study inside the UAE, a Grade 12 diploma from a private school is submitted to the Ministry of Education for a certificate of equivalency, the step that clears the way into UAE universities.
Our diploma also carries certificate equivalency for higher education abroad and across Arab countries, with particular relevance for families looking toward Egypt and Jordan. That matters for the many CAS households with ties across the region who want one qualification that is read the same way in more than one country.
Why the credits carry weight
What stands behind a City American School transcript
Accredited and quality assured
CAS holds Cognia accreditation, is an AP and College Board approved center, and is rated Good by the Ajman Ministry of Education. Those checks are what make each credit trusted.
California standards at the core
English and Mathematics follow the California Common Core State Standards and Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards, so the coursework behind each credit is properly benchmarked.
Backed by READ and R Holding
CAS is operated by READ, the education arm of R Holding, giving the high school program steady governance and long-term investment in facilities and staff.
Support for every learner
A dedicated Inclusion Department supports gifted students and children of determination, and scholarships and discounts help make the high school years affordable for more families.
Common questions
High school credit hours: parent questions
How many credits does a student need to graduate?
A minimum of 24 credits is required to graduate from City American High School. They cover English (4), Mathematics (4), Science (4), Social Studies (3), Physical and Health Education (2), Foreign Language (2), Creative Arts (1), Islamic Studies (2, for Muslim students) and ICT and elective credits (2).
What is a high school credit hour?
A credit is the unit that records a completed course. One credit generally reflects a subject studied across a full academic year, roughly 120 classroom hours. Half-year or elective courses usually carry half a credit, and credits accumulate on the transcript from Grade 9 to Grade 12.
Are Arabic and Islamic Studies included in the credit count?
Yes. Arabic sits within the Foreign Language requirement and includes 4 credits of Arabic, while Islamic Studies is worth 2 credits for Muslim students. Both follow UAE Ministry of Education requirements and count toward the 24-credit total.
Does City American School offer AP courses?
Yes. CAS is an AP Center approved by the College Board and offers Advanced Placement courses across Grades 9 to 12. Students can also prepare for the PSAT, SAT and IELTS, with the school serving as an SAT accredited center.
Is the CAS diploma recognized by UAE universities?
Graduates earn a recognized high school diploma. For UAE university admission, the Grade 12 diploma is submitted to the Ministry of Education for a certificate of equivalency, which confirms it meets national standards for higher education entry.
Will the diploma be accepted outside the UAE?
The diploma opens pathways to universities worldwide and carries certificate equivalency for higher education abroad and across Arab countries, with particular relevance for families looking toward Egypt and Jordan.
Which grades make up the high school program?
The high school program runs from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Over these four years students combine core subjects with electives and AP courses, and prepare for university through assessment support, leadership opportunities and community engagement.
Enrolling now for AY 2026/27
Places in Grades 9 to 12 are filling for the coming academic year. Start an application and our admissions team will walk your family through credits, subjects and the next steps.
