International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

Unique Learning Opportunities

The IB Diploma Program is about more than six subjects that students study. At its heart are three core requirements that are integral to the curriculum and make the IB Diploma Program unique: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), extended essay, and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)  – an internally and externally assessed interdisciplinary component that explores the different concepts of knowledge found in the subject areas. Because IB Diploma Program students study six subjects simultaneously, TOK teachers can, for example, ask their students to compare a historian’s approach to problem solving with that of a scientist or an artist.

Extended essay  (link takes you to the IB guidebook on the extended essay) – an externally assessed, independent research assignment of 4,000 words in one of the six subject areas. This is one of the ways in which IB Diploma Program Students can specialize in a certain subject area and prepare for university studies.

Examples of extended essays :

An Analysis of Octopoda Intelligence as Observed From Behavior and Neurobiology.  Biology

The Influence of ‘Pulp Fiction’: An In-Depth Analysis into the Extent ‘Pulp Fiction’ Influenced the Film Industry. Film

An analysis of the Chinese Government Response to the 1989 Protests in Tiananmen Square in Comparison to the 2019 Protests in Hong Kong.          

Global Politics

To What Extent Did the American Eugenics Movement Influence the Rise of Nazi Racial Ideology?  History

 A Comparative Study of Gene Luen Yang’s ‘American Born Chinese’ and Thi Bui’s ‘The Best We Could Do’.  Literature

Musical Application of the Fibonacci Number Sequence. Music

Under What Circumstances Does Perjury Become Morally Justified?  PhilosophyAn Exploration of the Placebo Effect in Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Psychology

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) –   participation by students over the two years in activities that are creative, physically active and service in the local community. The CAS requirement allows students to gain real-life experience beyond the classroom.

The Benefits of the IB Diploma Program

Universities recognize the outstanding qualities of IB Diploma Program students. Typically, diploma holders are ready to debate real-world issues from an international perspective and to provide leadership and support in the local and global community. They demonstrate a capacity for in-depth study while maintaining a broad perspective of the different subject areas. They are able to ask challenging questions but also know how to research a topic and express their opinion. They have a strong sense of their own culture and identity, as well as the ability to communicate in two or more languages with people who have a different perspective of the world.

Internationally Recognized Standards

The IB Diploma Program is widely recognized for its high academic standards. Assessment is varied and takes place over two years, with final examinations in each subject. Students’ work is assessed by an international board of examiners, who are themselves rigorously trained and monitored by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). 

Subjects are scored on a 1-7 scale with a further three points available for theory of knowledge and the extended essay. Students who display good levels of performance across all six subjects and achieve a minimum of 24 points (out of a possible 45) are awarded the diploma. Course candidates also receive a certificate for the courses they completed. As with diploma candidates, course candidates can submit their scores to colleges and universities and may receive recognition based on their scores.

IB Course Candidates

Course candidates are students who are enrolled in IB courses and are taking one or more exams but are not doing the IB diploma. Course candidates can choose their IB courses and decide on which exams they want to take.  As with diploma students, course candidates also may receive college recognition based on the scores they achieved.

Admissions

Declaration of candidacy for the IB diploma can be submitted by sophomores in June or in September as juniors. Sophomores who anticipate doing the IB diploma program should consult with their counselor during registration for the coming year. Students entering as transfer students for the diploma program as juniors are still required to complete the declaration.

IB General Regulations

The following link will take you to the IB’s General Regulations for the Diploma Program

International Baccalaureate

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