The IB Diploma Programme is designed for academically talented and highly motivated students. It is a rigorous pre-university course of study that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. Our Pre-IB coursework path helps prepare students going into the IB Diploma Programme for advanced college level coursework that they will be taking during their 11th and12th grade years.
All IB students are participating in a dual diploma program. In addition to the IB Diploma, students are automatically enrolled in courses that correlate with the American Diploma over the course of their four year high school experience. This means that upon successful completion of the course, our students can earn both the IB Diploma and an American Diploma.
There are two main components of the IB Diploma Programme Curriculum: the six subject groups and the core.
The IB Diploma Programme course requirements are made up of six academic subjects that center around the program core and are divided into Groups. The Groups and subjects below are available at AIS West:
Group 1: Language A: Language and Literature (English HL/SL and Arabic SL)
Group 2: Language Acquisition (Arabic HL, Spanish Ab Initio SL, French Ab Initio SL)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies (History, Global Politics, Psychology, Business and Management, Economics and Computer Science, HL/SL)
Group 4: Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics ,HL/SL)
Group 5: Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches HL/SL, Applications and Interpretations SL)
Group 6: The Arts (Visual Arts, HL/SL)
For more detailed information about specific subject content and assessment structure click HERE
The IBDP is a two year course delivered in Grade 11 and 12. To earn an IB Diploma, students must take courses from six subjects, one each from groups 1-5, and either one from group 6 or an additional subject from one of the other groups. The IB Diploma Programme courses are offered at two academic levels: Higher Level (HL, 240 instruction hours) and a Standard Level (SL,150 instruction hours). You must take three IB courses at a Higher Level. IB assessment is graded on a scale of 1-7. Click here to see the graduation requirements
The IB Diploma Programme uses internal and external assessment to evaluate student performance. Internal assessments are graded by our teachers and then moderated by IBO examiners. External assessments, i.e. formal examinations at the end of the 2 year period, are sent to the IBO for grading.
The Core consists of three parts: a capstone course called the Theory of Knowledge, a 4,000 word research essay known as the Extended Essay, and participation in Creativity, Action, and Service to the community—all of which are compulsory and are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Program.
Theory of Knowledge/TOK: This is a seminar-type interdisciplinary psychology-based capstone course. It is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines and encouraging an appreciation of other perspectives. The course delves into the nature, limitations, meaning, and validity of human knowledge. TOK requires 100 hours of instruction, the completion of a reflective essay paper (from a prescribed title, externally assessed) and an exhibition centered on TOK themes (internally assessed).
Extended Essay/EE: This is a research essay that focuses on a singular topic. The essay has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words. Research for the project is conducted independently, and students are given mandatory deadlines for completing essay work. It offers students the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest (which needs to be approved by IB), and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at the university level.
Creativity, Action, Service/CAS: CAS is a three part program that encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service work. The program fosters students’ awareness and appreciation of life beyond the academic arena. All IB students must complete and document over 150 hours of non-academic activity spent in creative, active and service endeavors, as well as undertake a long-term CAS project.
Students in all IB diploma courses must be aware of their ethical responsibilities with regard to Academic honesty. The booklet is published by the IBO and is used to guide the AIS - West academic honesty policy.