International Baccalaureate Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is a challenging 2 year pre-university course of studies taught from an international perspective. The program originated in Europe in 1968 and was intended to establish a common curriculum and university entry credential for students moving from one country to another. Since its birth the IB Diploma has become a symbol of academic integrity and intellectual promise. Today the headquarters of the International Baccalaureate Organization are in Geneva, Switzerland, but Canadian IB schools report to and receive support from a regional office in New York City. Recognition of the IB program at universities evolving. Please read the latest on university recognition in this notice here.
The Program:
The Diploma Program is suited to any academically ambitious high school student who seeks to attend university. This comprehensive two year program is delivered in grades 11 and 12, after students normally complete a pre-IB program in Grade 10. The program culminates in a series of international examinations written in six academic subjects chosen by each student - one subject from each of the following groups which correspond to the principal domains of knowlege:
Group 1 - Language A - literature courses in the student's first language
Group 2 - Language B - a second language such as French, Spanish, German, or Latin
Group 3 - Individuals and Society - subjects such as history, geography, and economics
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences - subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology
Group 5 - Mathematics
Group 6 - The Arts - subjects such as music, visual arts, and theatre arts, or an elective from Group 3 or 4.
The student's choices must include three courses taken at the Higher Level (HL), comprising 240 teacher-student contact hours, and three courses taken at the Standard Level (SL), comprising 150 teacher-student contact hours. Most subjects are taken over two years.
The IB Diploma is about more than the 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. These three additional requirements are:
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course - an interdisciplinary course designed to develop habits of critical reflection, clarity of thought, and moral judgement
The Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) program - a minimum of 150 hours of participation in creative programs, athletics or other physical activities, and community service
The Extended Essay (EE) - a 4000-word piece of original research on a topic chosen by the student
Schools which offer the IB Diploma Program are required to encourage a global view, international understanding, and respect for others; important goals in all subjects.
