The Diploma Program, or DP, is built upon a philosophy of International Mindedness and an interdisciplinary college level course work. The center of it all is the IB Mission in Action: the IB Learner Profile. That is surrounded by Approaches to Teaching and Learning. The "core" of the IB DP contains: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity - Activity - Service). All diploma candidates will complete these requirements over the course of their junior and senior years.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): this course centers around critical thinking. Students inquire into the "nature of knowing". How do you know what you know? What affects what you know and how you know it? This is a course unto itself as well as an integral part of all IB courses.
Extended Essay (EE): students engage in mentored independent research through an in-depth study of a self-generated question relating to one of the subjects they are studying culminating in a 4,000 word essay.
Creativity Activity Service (CAS): To complete this requirement, students must engage in and provide evidence of experiences in three areas - creativity, physical activity, and service over 18 months. Through CAS, students reflect on the learning and growth that takes place in their various extra-curricular activities as well as a month long self-developed CAS project. CAS experiences and projects often have a lasting impact on both the learner and the community.
A student centered Approaches to Teaching and Approaches to Learning allow students to engage in complex interdisciplinary issues and become critically thinking lifelong learners.
The heart of all of the IB programmes and communities is The IB Learner Profile. This serves as the mission statement of the program in action. The IB Learner Profile consists of 10 attributes that IB learners and members of the IB community strive to become. Indeed, they imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.
