Beginning with the 2003-2004 academic year, secondary students at Dalat International School have had the opportunity to choose between two different courses of study: one which leads to the regular college-preparatory diploma or the Advanced Merit Diploma (AMD). The Advanced Merit Diploma is a course of study with three major requirements that are consistent with Dalat’s mission and educational goals as outlined in the Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRS).

The requirements for the Advanced Merit Diploma include 1) high academic achievement, 2) involvement in community service and 3) completion of a Senior Exhibition. The Senior Exhibition provides an opportunity for candidates to pursue a qualified topic of great interest to them: they research and then write a paper, make a product based on their topic, and then give an oral presentation. Participation in the AMD program is encouraged but voluntary, and candidates must have the support of their parents and the approval of the school administration. Once in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the AMD coordinator if s/he has parental consent to withdraw.

For more information or answers to specific program questions, please use the resources to the right and/or contact the AMD coordinator, Greg Stenlund (ext. 7007; ‘’).

2007 AMD Recipient
Allison McClary completed all the requirements for the Advanced Merit Diploma and will be recognized at the Dalat International School Awards Assembly and Commencement.  Allison completed over 40 hours of community service at several locations over the two years of the program.  Penang International Church, Mount Miriam Hospital, and a service trip to Indonesia were the places the service hours were fulfilled.  Allison completed a research paper on the History and Development of Women’s Basketball.  For her product Allison created a website containing the research she had gathered for her paper.  One of the most interesting parts of her research was to visit the training facility and corporate headquarters for the Seattle Storm of the WNBA.  She was able to interview their marketing director and several of the players including Sue Bird, one of the top players in the WNBA.  Allison is considering a career in sports marketing as a result of her research.  She presented her research and product at her senior exhibition to a panel of judges in November of 2006.  Allison has maintained a high level of academic excellence while completing three AP (Advanced Placement) courses during her senior year.  Congratulations Allison!

2007 AMD Recipient
Kenny Kim completed all the requirements for the Advanced Merit Diploma and will be recognized at the Dalat International School Awards Assembly and Commencement.  Kenny completed well over 40 hours of community service at three locations over the two years of the program.  Mount Miriam Hospital, Penang International Church, and Penang Korean Church were the places the service hours were fulfilled.  Kenny completed a research paper on Assessing the Basic Structure and Evolution of Home Recording.  For his product Kenny recorded and mixed a complete CD of original songs he had written himself.  He performed the vocals, percussion, guitar, and keyboard parts individually and successfully mixed the parts to create his songs.  Kenny gave a strong presentation and it was evident that he had become very knowledgeable about home recording.  He presented his research and product at his senior exhibition to a panel of judges in November of 2006.  Kenny has maintained a high level of academic excellence while completing four AP (Advanced Placement) courses during his junior and senior years.  Congratulations Kenny!

2007 AMD Recipient
Christa DeVette completed all the requirements for the Advanced Merit Diploma and will be recognized at the Dalat International School Awards Assembly and Commencement.  Christa completed well over 40 hours of community service at two locations over the two years of the program.  Mount Miriam Hospital and Penang International Church were the places the service hours were fulfilled.  Christa completed an Intricate Study on the Development of the Etude for her research paper.  For her product Christa learned and recorded a CD of the Etudes of Chopin.  Christa presented her research and product at her senior exhibition to a panel of judges in November of 2006. Christa gave a well prepared presentation and involved the audience in several demonstrations.  Her preparation and practice were evidence that she had become an expert on the Etudes of Chopin and other composers.  Christa has maintained a high level of academic excellence while completing four different AP (Advanced Placement) courses during her junior and senior years.  Congratulations Christa!

 

2006 AMD Recipient
James Hawthorne completed all the requirements for the Advanced Merit Diploma and was recognized at the Dalat International School Awards Assembly and Commencement.  James completed well over 40 hours of community service at a variety of locations over the two years of the program.  Mount Miriam Hospital, Eden Handicapped Center, Rescue Angel Center, and a service trip to Indonesia were the places the service hours were fulfilled.  James completed a research paper on the History and Evolution of the Trebuchet (similar to a catapult).  For his product James built an actual trebuchet.  He was able to apply physics principles to adjust the launch angles and distance of projectiles.  He presented his research and product at his senior exhibition to a panel of judges in April of 2006. During his presentation it became evident that James had become an expert on all aspects of the trebuchet.  James maintained a high level of academic excellence while completing four different AP (Advanced Placement) courses during his junior and senior years, and earned a perfect score of 5 on the AP Calculus Exam.  Congratulations James!