Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Diplocademy?

A: Diplocademy empowers expat and diplomat families by providing top-tier educational materials and on-demand tutoring for primary and secondary students abroad. We help students advance grades, access gifted education unavailable locally, and master U.S.-mandated subjects not offered overseas.

Q: Who can use Diplocademy’s services?

A: Our services are open to anyone, including expats, international families, and other individuals outside the U.S. education system who need supplemental instruction or tutoring for their children. However, only eligible children of U.S. State Department diplomats can qualify for reimbursement through State Department allowances.

Q: What types of educational support does Diplocademy offer?

A: Diplocademy provides:

Supplemental Instruction: For subjects required in U.S. curricula but unavailable at the local school.
Gifted and Talented Education: Specialized programs to challenge and engage advanced learners.
Remedial Support: Assistance to help students meet grade-level expectations and prepare for progression to the next grade.

Q: Does Diplocademy offer support for students with special educational needs?

A: Yes, while our primary focus is on supplemental instruction and gifted education, we strive to accommodate students with diverse learning needs. We recommend discussing specific requirements with our educational consultants to determine the best approach for your child.

Q: How can parents access Diplocademy’s services?

A: Parents can contact us directly through our website or via email. State Department families should consult with their post’s Financial Management Officer (FMO) to discuss eligibility for supplementary instruction funds and ensure alignment with State Department regulations.

Q: Are Diplocademy’s services customizable to individual student needs?

A: Yes, we tailor our educational materials and tutoring services to meet the specific needs of each student, taking into account their current curriculum, academic goals, and any unique challenges they may face due to their international environment.

Q: How does Diplocademy handle time zone differences for on-demand tutoring?

A: We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate various time zones, ensuring that students can access tutoring sessions at times convenient for them, regardless of their geographic location.

Q: Can expats or other families without State Department ties use Diplocademy?

A: Yes! Diplocademy welcomes all families seeking high-quality supplemental instruction and tutoring services. However, only U.S. State Department families may be eligible for reimbursement through official allowances. Other users will need to cover the cost independently.

Q: What is supplemental instruction?

A: Supplemental instruction allows dependent children to take courses not offered at the school at post but customarily available in U.S. public schools. It may also provide additional instruction required to:

Remain in the same grade.
Progress to the next grade in the school’s curriculum.
Successfully complete an academic course to advance to the next level in a sequence of courses. Supplemental instruction can also support gifted and talented education or foreign language instruction required for curriculum progression.

Q: Who is eligible?

A: Anyone may purchase services from Diplocademy. However, only U.S. diplomats are eligible for reimbursement through the U.S. Department of State.

Q: How much is the Supplementary Instruction allowance?

A: As of June 2022, up to $4,100 is authorized in addition to the "school at post" allowance for supplementary instruction. This allowance is only available for students attending "school at post" and does not apply to those in boarding schools.

Q: Can the Supplementary Instruction allowance be used for AP or IB courses?

A: Yes, supplementary instruction funds may cover Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses because these are generally offered by U.S. public schools.

Q: Can I take an AP exam if I study for the course through Diplocademy?

A: Yes. You can find details and search for a testing location here.

Q: My child needs chemistry to enter an honors program. Can I use the allowance for this?

A: No. The allowance cannot be used to gain entry into an honors program. It is intended to help students progress within their current grade level or curriculum, not to meet honors program requirements.

Q: Can the allowance be used for foreign language instruction?

A: Yes, if competency in the foreign language is necessary for the child to attend the school at post or progress within its curriculum.

Q: My child’s school at post doesn’t offer a Gifted and Talented (GT) program. Can we use the funds for GT instruction?

A: Yes, under the following conditions:

The program must focus on an academic subject such as math, science, English, foreign languages, or social studies (not physical education or the arts).
Documentation must confirm the child’s eligibility for GT instruction.

Q: How do I document my child’s eligibility for a GT program?

A: You must provide one of the following:

A letter from the previous school confirming the child qualified for and participated in a GT program.
A letter from the current school stating the child is qualified but the school cannot provide GT instruction.
Results from a standardized GT test showing the child’s eligibility. Testing costs are the responsibility of the parent.

Q: Is there an expiration date on GT status?

A: No. GT status typically remains valid, as reassessments are not required annually. Parents should keep documentation to present when applying for supplementary instruction in future years.

Q: Is reimbursement for supplementary instruction allowed while evacuated from a post?

A: Reimbursement may continue if the same instructor and instruction initiated at the foreign post are used. This applies only through the end of the current school year unless specific remediation requirements are documented. Any supplementary instruction during a break between school years must adhere to DSSR guidelines.

Q: Is reimbursement allowed during home leave, renewal travel, or R&R?

A: No. Reimbursement is only permitted for supplementary instruction provided at the foreign post of assignment during the regular school year.