A Double Diploma, or Dual Diploma program, allows students to earn multiple diplomas simultaneously. Typically, this involves students obtaining a high school diploma from their home country, along with an additional diploma from an international school.
Ontario Virtual School (OVS) is uniquely equipped to help students achieve this goal by offering flexible online courses that can be integrated into their existing high school schedules. This makes it easier for students to participate in multiple educational programs at the same time.
OVS partners with several programs that offer Dual Diploma options. This past October, we expanded our global network by launching a new Double Diploma partnership with Ritsumeikan Moriyama Junior and Senior High School (RM) in Japan.
Ritsumeikan Moriyama High School
Located in Moriyama, Shiga, Japan, Ritsumeikan Moriyama is known for its strong English language education, excellent athletic programs, and commitment to developing global leaders.
As part of its mission to prepare students for success on a global scale, RM offers many opportunities for international travel. For example, their Grade 11 students can participate in a two-week program that allows them to visit countries such as the Canada, USA, Australia, and Finland. During these trips, students engage in internships, entrepreneurship training, environmental studies, and more.
For their Grade 12 students, RM offers full exchange programs, allowing them to study abroad for several months up to a full year. These international experiences are designed to enhance students’ global perspectives and skills.
In their continued pursuit of educational growth, RM has now partnered with OVS to provide students even greater access to quality international education.
The OVS and RM Partnership
On October 11, 2024, a signing ceremony was held at the Canadian Embassy in Japan, marking the official launch of the Double Diploma program between OVS and Ritsumeikan Moriyama. Representatives from both OVS and RM, along with officials from the Canadian government, were present to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Attendees included:
- Naruhisa Iwasaki, Principal (RM)
- Ken Yanai, Vice Principal (RM)
- Riyo Whitney (OVS)
- Michiko Aoshima (OVS)
- Steven Lapointe, First Secretary of Public Affairs/Education (Government of Canada)
- Megumi Akiyama, Education Officer (Government of Canada)
- Christian Howes, Counsellor (Government of Ontario)
- Yasuko Kii, Senior Commercial Officer (Government of Ontario)
The program will initially operate as an independent project with some support from the school. However, the long-term plan is to integrate the dual diploma program into RM’s curriculum
OVS Application Requirements
An article from Japan Overseas Educational Services (JOES) Magazine provides a detailed look at the benefits of the Double Diploma program through OVS and outlines the specific requirements for students in Japan who wish to participate.
Students interested in starting the Double Diploma program but who are not yet eligible can join OVS’s preparatory program. The criteria for this preparatory program are as follows:
- Students must be in their first year of junior high school or higher.
- An English proficiency assessment, which includes an interview with OVS Japan.
This preparatory program helps students build the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully participate in the Double Diploma program later in their academic journey.
To be officially eligible for the Double Diploma program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be in their third year of junior high school or higher.
- Have an Eiken Grade 2 certification (or equivalency) or higher.
As long as students meet these criteria and demonstrate the motivation, dedication, and hard work required, they will be able to achieve the goal of earning a Double Diploma.
Looking Ahead
At OVS, we are excited about our partnership with Ritsumeikan Moriyama Junior and Senior High School, and look forward to helping even more students earn a high-quality Ontario education. This collaboration is just one of many ways OVS is working to make world-class education accessible to students globally.