Here are some of the common questions we get. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, you can find more details using the navigation menu at the top of the page, or by reaching out to us (our Staff Directory is in the About section). We’d love to answer any questions you have about our program!
Please select one the categories to see the questions:
General Inquiry Questions
Q: What grade levels does Griggs offer?
Griggs provides a full curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 12, including Dual Credit options for high school students wanting to receive college credit.
Q: Are classes live lecture with a teacher?
There is a small collection of classes delivered in a live lecture environment with a teacher during the summers, but typically our classes are delivered by the parent (K-5) and via our online platform (6-12) using various instructional strategies. These classes are all asynchronous, which means you work using your own schedule, not ours!
Q: Is it possible to take a class during the summer?
Yes, courses are available at any time of year!
Q: Can I take just one class while I am attending another school?
Yes. We have students who take a single course instead of a larger courseload.
Q: Can international students take Griggs courses?
Yes. We are proud of our international status and welcome online students from around the globe.
Q: What are Griggs’ accreditations and approvals?
Griggs International Academy is accredited and approved by:
- Approved as a non-public school by the Maryland State Board of Education for Kindergarten, Elementary, and High School.
- Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, Colleges, and Universities.
- Accredited by Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventists for Schools, Colleges and Universities.
Enrollment Questions
Q: What are the start dates for Griggs classes?
Griggs offers open enrollment—meaning students can begin their courses at any point throughout the year. If the students meets the age requirement (Grades K-1), or has successfully completed the previous grade level (Grades 2-11), they may enroll at any time. Your start date is the day your enrollment is finalized.
Q: How can I become a Griggs student if I have been taking unaccredited classes in the past?
Griggs is happy to work with students based on age (K-1st grade), a portfolio review (Grades 2-3), or a placement exam (Grades 4-8, fees may apply). Depending on the results of the review or exam, an education plan can be implemented. Please contact our K-8 Director for questions.
For high school, there are minimum credit requirements that must be met for all diploma-seeking students.
Q: Where do I buy textbooks?
Some courses include all the textbook materials within the lessons, others require eBooks, and some require physical textbooks.
Q: Can I set up a payment plan for my tuition?
Tuition may be paid using a monthly payment plan. Automatic debit is not available. Fees (enrollment, books, etc.) cannot be included in the monthly tuition payment plan, and are nonrefundable. The monthly payment plan is also not available to sponsoring organizations.
The monthly payment plan is subject to prior credit approval, which may be based on information obtained from a credit reporting agency. Andrews University reserves the right to deny credit on the basis of one’s credit history.
The person responsible for the student’s finances must be 18 years of age or older. By completing and signing the Financial Agreement in the Enrollment Packet, the financier and the student (if older than 18) agree to abide by the stated terms. The amount financed cannot exceed the amount due for tuition. In case of an error or miscalculation, Griggs reserves the right to adjust without notice the amount financed, provided the amount in question does not exceed $100. For more details use the page below.
Course Questions
Q: How can I tell which courses are online and which ones are hybrid (parent-led) courses?
Grades K – 5 courses are hybrid.
Grades 6 – 12 courses are online.
Q: What are the technology requirements for online courses?
We strive to provide a wide range of support that won’t require you to break the bank for the latest gear. Due to requirements of some services we use, we sometimes have to set limitations on supported devices. For a current list of requirements based on grade level, check out our Technology Requirements page.
Q: What is a Credit Recovery course?
Credit Recovery courses are for students who have failed a course and need to get back on their educational track. Credit recovery allows students to keep their class schedule, and saves time because they don’t have to wait till the next school year to retake a course.
Q: Who grades the assignments and exams?
There are over 20 certified teachers who grade and evaluate student assignments and exams for Griggs. Are you curious about what sorts of assignments and projects are a part of our curriculum? Check out our student highlights!
Q: How much time do I have to finish a course?
Students have 12 months from date of enrollment to complete their coursework. Though students are given this time allotment, our program is designed to be completed in 9 months, and students are encouraged to finish as close to that timeline as possible.
Q: How can I get an extension for doing my course work?
Students who require extra time for their coursework are granted an automatic free 6-week extension. At the time of a course deadline, an email will be sent notifying students of this extension. After the 6-week grace period, the student will lose access to the course, and will need to contact Griggs for a paid extension
- High School: griggsadvisor@andrews.edu
- K-8: griggsk-8@andrews.edu
High School Specific Questions
Q: How many credits do I have to take directly from Griggs to get a diploma?
To be eligible for a high school diploma through Griggs International Academy, a student must have successfully completed a minimum of 6.0 units for the College Preparatory (College Prep) diploma and 5.0 units for the Standard diploma in alignment with Middle States Accreditation standards through Griggs. The last three units must be completed with Griggs during the student’s senior year.
Q: What is the difference between a Standard and College Prep High School diploma?
College Preparatory Diploma
- Requirements: 25 units
- 4 units of English (must include one unit of American Literature)
- 4 units of Math (must include Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 or higher level math course).
- 4 units of Science (must include one life science and one higher level science)
- ½ unit of Health
- 1 unit of Physical Education
- 3 units of Social Studies (must include U.S. History and American Government)
- 1 unit of Computer Literacy
- 1 unit of Fine arts
- 2 units of Modern Languages (must be same language)
- 4 units of Religion (1 unit of religion required for each 5 units taken with Griggs or may be petitioned)
- ½ unit of Electives
- Minimum 20 hours per year of community service
- ACT/SAT test scores (required)
Standard High School Diploma
- Requirements: 21 units
- 4 units of English (must include one unit of American Literature)
- 3 units of math (must include Algebra 1; if Pre-Algebra is completed an additional math credit is required)
- 3 units of science (must include one life science)
- ½ unit of Health
- 1 unit of Physical Education
- 3 units of social studies (must include U.S. History and American Government)
- 1 unit of Computer Literacy
- 1 unit of fine arts
- 4 units of religion (1 unit of religion required for each 5 units taken with Griggs, may be petitioned)
- ½ unit of electives
- Minimum 20 hours per year of community service
- ACT/SAT test scores (recommended)
The standard diploma is a comprehensive curricular foundation for students seeking to prepare for higher education and achieve career goals. The college prep diploma increases academic rigor in math and science courses in preparation for college-level study (along with including the study of a Modern Language.)
Speak with our High School Academic Advisor if you have questions about which diploma your student should pursue.
Q: Will I be able to get acceptance into a University with a Griggs diploma?
Yes. Griggs is an accredited program and most Universities will accept our diplomas.
Q: Is there an opportunity to earn university credit for high school students?
Yes. Qualifying sophomores, juniors and seniors have the opportunity to earn dual credit (high school and university credit) through Andrews University.
Grades & Report Card Questions
Q: How do I get a report card or transcript?
Students in grades K-8 may request a report card by emailing the K-8 Director.
High school transcripts may be requested here by creating a New Learner account with Parchment.
Q: What is the Griggs grading scale?
A = 93-100
A- = 90-92
B+ = 88-89
B = 83-87
B- = 80-82
C+ = 78-79
C = 73-77
C- = 70-72
D+ = 68-69
D = 63-67
D- = 60-62
F = 59 and below
Q: Can I see my grades at any time?
Grades for individual assignments are always available on Griggs Online. If you want to know your cumulative grade on a specific class in any given moment, please email the course teacher from the Classlist tab in your Griggs Online course.
Exam Questions
Q: Can I take a challenge exam for any courses?
Challenge exams are granted on an individual basis for Algebra I and a wide range of modern languages. Fees do apply.
Q: How are my exams proctored or supervised?
Grades K–8
Tests may come at the end of chapters, units or a specified number of assignments. A parent or responsible adult should proctor the tests. Teachers will grade tests and return them with comments for encouragement or improvement.
High School
Academic integrity and standards are an important part of education, so we strictly enforce the policies for taking an exam. In order to maintain the integrity of the examination process and adhere to accreditation standards, an exam supervisor must be selected to proctor exams at the time of enrollment. Failure to follow proctor selection guidelines may result in failure of exam or course. A proctor must be:
- A teacher or school administrator, testing center staff, guidance counselor, librarian or pastor not related to, or in residence with, the student.
- Verifiable and approved by Griggs Testing department.
If the approved proctor is not available, students can use the Griggs online test proctoring service. Local Berrien Springs area students are encouraged to use this service.
High School testing policies:
- Students attending a school must use a school administrator.
- A completed Proctor Information Form must be submitted at the time of enrollment.
- All proctors must be verified and approved by the Griggs Testing department.
- Examination date, time and place arrangements are made between student and proctor.
- Griggs sends password information to the proctor. The proctor should NEVER give the exam password to the student.
- The proctor completes the Proctor Procedures and Exam Instructions.
- The proctor directly supervises throughout the entire examination with student’s computer screen in sight.
- After taking an exam, students will have access to the exam grade and teacher feedback only.
Q: How much time do I have to take an online exam?
Exam times vary by course. Testing time ranges from 90 minutes to 3 hours.
Q: Can I retake exams if I fail?
Yes. Griggs offers alternate testing for failed exams. Fees apply. See Catalog/Handbook for details.