The International Baccalaureate® Diploma Program (IB DP)

The IBO Diploma Program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum leading to international external examinations for students at the end of their final two years of the ACS Athens Academy. The general objectives of the International Baccalaureate Organization are to provide students with a balanced education; to facilitate geographical and cultural mobility; and to promote international understanding through shared academic experiences.

IB Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of six subject groups (1-Native Language/Literature, 2-Second Modern Language, 3-Individuals and Societies, 4- Experimental Sciences, 5-Mathematics and 6-Arts). At least three, and not more than four courses are taken at higher level (HL), and the others at standard level (SL). In addition, IB Diploma candidates are required to take the Theory of Knowledge class in grade 11 and a one semester seminar class in Grade 12 to facilitate completion of the Theory of Knowledge essay. IB Diploma candidates must work independently under the supervision of an ACS Athens faculty member in order to complete the Extended Essay requirement by the end of the first semester of grade 12. The Creativity, Activity and Service requirements of the IB Diploma are completed in two years under the guidance and supervision of the (CAS) Coordinator.

Thus, students are able to explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the two year period; this is a deliberate compromise between the early specialization preferred in some national systems and the breadth found in others.

At ACS Athens several courses combine the level of the IB curriculum in the first year, giving students a chance to become thoroughly acquainted with the subject before deciding which exam (SL or HL) to pursue in the second year. 

Consistent with our “best-fit” policy in assisting students to select the program that best fits their academic profile and college goals, we have established holistic, yet strict criteria for admission to the IB Diploma program. All information pertaining to the admissions process is uploaded on the website under Admissions or is available from the IB and AP office.

Students who do not wish to follow the IB Diploma or are not accepted to the program can select those IB courses for which they meet the prerequisites as part of their ACS High School Diploma. After successful completion of the IB courses students will receive from the IBO an IB Diploma Courses document indicating which courses they have completed and the respective grades.

Academic success for our students is one of our main goals. As such, we have established specific criteria for continuation to the second year of the IB courses, which are stated in the Program of Studies. Students must meet all prerequisites as outlined in the Program of Studies in order to continue into Year 2 of the IB Diploma Program or any IB Diploma Course.

Conditions for admission to the IB Diploma Program (IBDP):

• Students must have no grade lower than a C in each of the grade 10 subjects of English, Math, Science (Chemistry or Physics), History and a language other than English (The grade in Biology 9 may also be used for those interested in IB Biology).

• Students must have no serious discipline/academic integrity issues in grade 10.

• Students must complete a 300 – 500 word personal statement in which they explain how they might benefit from the IB program and how this program will help them to achieve their University goals.

• Students are interviewed by a member of the ACS Athens leadership team.

Conditional admission to the IB Diploma Program:

If students do not meet the above requirements and they still wish to be admitted to the IBDP then they may be offered a conditional admission after a review of the case by the IBDC. The conditions must be met by the end of 10th grade in order to enter the IB Program.  

Criteria to continue to IB YEAR 2 

Transition from year 1 to year 2 of the IB Program:

Students must have received an IB grade of 1-7 based on the work of year 1 and the final exam in June.

To enter year 2, students must meet the following:

• a total minimum grade of 24 points for the 6 courses taken

• no grades of 1 or 2 in any subject

• at most one grade of 3

• for the courses selected at Higher level, a grade of 4 or higher must be reached

• a 2,500 word EE draft by the first week of September

Failure to successfully meet the above criteria may result in  the student being withdrawn from the  IB Diploma Program.