The pass rate for students achieving an International Baccalaureate diploma from Bermuda High School for Girls has dropped from 94 percent to 74 percent this year.

But Linda Parker, head of school, said she was pleased with this year's scores and congratulated students for "their hard work and commendable results in the internationally recognised and academically rigorous IB diploma programme".

Mrs. Parker told The Royal Gazette: "We do not compare students from one year to the next as there are too many differentiating factors."

She added: "At BHS, we do not pre-select IB diploma candidates. If they wish, every pupil is given the opportunity to sit the full diploma.

"Two students chose to not sit the full diploma but were entered as certificate only candidates."

At BHS, 44 students took and gained the IB certificate; 42 sat the full diploma and 31 students were successful.

Warwick Academy also released its results yesterday, revealing a 70 percent pass rate, compared to 76 percent in 2008.

At Warwick, 45 students took and gained the IB certificate; 23 attempted the diploma and 16 achieved it.

The top scorers on the Island for the diploma were Warwick students Christian Fiddick, William Howard and Francina Clayton, all aged 18, who got 38 out of a possible 45, placing them in the top 15 percent worldwide. The students are going to Canada and the UK to pursue undergraduate studies in September.

The highest achiever at BHS was Genevieve Bland Gordon, 18, with a score of 37. She is heading to the University of Warwick in England to study film and literature.

Warwick principal Maggie McCorkell said: "I am very proud of this particular graduating class as they have achieved not only academic success but success that has come despite the private and public challenges many of them have faced over the last two years.

"What is particularly pleasing are the increased number of level seven grades achieved, the highest possible level, and an increase in the mean grade at both higher and standard level."

Mrs. McCorkell praised William Howard, winner of the Bell Scholarship from Mount Allison University and those students who got a score higher than 30: Alexander Baillargeon, Jason Ebbin, Aimee Bento, Jessica Johnson, Fiona Nusum, and Catherine Wight.