While all students work towards the Canadian Academy High School diploma, there are two pathways of study available to students in Grades 11 and 12. Students should speak with their Counsellor, teachers and Gr. 11-12 Learning Leader to discuss which pathway and combination of courses is most appropriate for them. This may depend on a student’s personal interests, educational goals and academic progress to date.
The IB Diploma Programme is a broad and rigorous course of study designed for students in Grades 11 and 12. IB Diploma candidates are required to complete courses in six subject areas: English, a second language, humanities, science, mathematics and, either an arts subject or a sixth choice from another subject group. Of the six subjects, students must study three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level.
The IB diploma is awarded based on performance across all parts of the DP:
• Each subject is graded 1–7, with 7 being the highest grade.
• These grades are also used as points (that is, 7 points for a grade 7, 6 points for a grade 6, and so on) in determining if the diploma can be awarded.
• TOK and the EE are graded A–E, with A being the highest grade. These two grades are then combined in the diploma points matrix to contribute between 0 and 3 points to the total.
• CAS is not assessed but must be completed in order to pass the diploma.
• The overall maximum points from subject grades, TOK and the EE is therefore 45: (42+ 3).
Students are awarded the IB diploma if they meet the following conditions:
• Earn a minimum of 24 points.
• CAS requirements have been met.
• There is no “N” awarded for TOK, the EE or for a contributing subject.
• There is no grade E awarded for TOK and/or the EE.
• There is no grade 1 awarded in a subject/level.
• There are no more than two grade 2s awarded (SL or HL).
• There are no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (SL or HL).
• The candidate has gained 12 points or more on HL subjects.
• The candidate has gained 9 points or more on SL subjects.
• The candidate has not received a penalty for academic misconduct from the IB
A bilingual diploma will be awarded to a candidate who fulfils the following criteria:
• Completion of two languages selected from the studies in language and literature subject group with the award of a grade 3 or higher in both languages.
• The award of a grade 3 or higher in both a language and literature subject other than English and, in one subject from the individuals and societies or sciences subject groups.
At the core of the IB Diploma are the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Activity and Service. Details of these programmes can be found below (click to expand).
The Extended Essay is an independent research essay of approximately 4000 words, grounded in one IBDP subject. Each student is assigned a supervisor who advises with the planning, development and completion of the essay. The Extended Essay provides an excellent preparation for the kind of research work required at many colleges and universities. The essays are assessed by external examiners.
TOK is a required course for the IB Diploma and is intended to be both challenging and thought-provoking for students.
TOK is focussed on the exploration of knowledge questions such as: “What counts as good evidence for a claim?”, “Are some types of knowledge less open to interpretation than others?”, or “What constraints should there be on the pursuit of knowledge?”.
The TOK curriculum is made up of three interconnected parts.
· The core theme - Knowledge and the knower: This theme encourages students to reflect on themselves as knowers and thinkers
· Optional themes: Teachers select two optional themes from a choice of: knowledge and technology; knowledge and language; knowledge and politics; knowledge and religion; and knowledge and indigenous societies.
· Areas of knowledge: Students explore five areas of knowledge: history; the human sciences; the natural sciences; mathematics; and the arts.
The formal assessment of TOK is based on an essay of 1600 words, which is assessed externally, and an exhibition, which is assessed internally.
Throughout the two years of the Diploma Programme, students engage in CAS experiences that cover the three strands of creativity, activity and service. Each student develops their own individualized CAS programme according to their interests and skills. Completion of CAS requires students to show growth in seven CAS learning outcomes. They do this by maintaining a CAS portfolio as evidence of their goals and reflection.
Successful completion of CAS is a requirement for IB Diploma students but we encourage all students to take part, regardless of their programme. CAS challenges and extends a student by encouraging a spirit of discovery and self-reliance, developing valuable skills, attitudes and dispositions beyond those learned in their academic courses.
CA Diploma students can choose a selection of individual IB courses, at Higher or Standard Level, provided they meet CA graduation requirements. They are not required to take the balance of subjects necessary for the full IB Diploma. IB Course students take the external IB examinations in their subjects and are awarded certificates by the IB. They can also choose to take any of the individual IB Core elements.
Students taking IB courses will earn a grade for each individual course and, if applicable, TOK or EE.
• Each subject is graded 1–7, with 7 being the highest grade.
• TOK and the EE are graded A–E, with A being the highest grade.
• CAS does not earn a grade but successful completion will be included on the student’s IB certificate.
In addition to IB courses, some CA courses, designed and assessed by CA teachers, are offered. CA Diploma students can choose to take a combination of IB and CA courses provided they meet CA graduation requirements. This includes meeting CA's CAS requirements.
All students who follow the full IB Diploma must study six subjects. Three of these subjects must be taken at a higher level and three are taken at standard level.
CA Diploma students are normally recommended to choose six subjects. IB courses can be taken at higher or standard level. The number and type of subject, and the level, can be chosen in response to an individual student’s needs, provided it allows the student to meet CA graduation requirements.
Course offerings are set out in the six groups below. Expanded descriptions of each subject can be found under the "Subject Group" tab at the top of the page. A minimum of five enrolled students may be required for a course to be offered. Please note that there is no guarantee that all courses will run and that it may not be possible to schedule all subject combinations.
All IB courses are available at both higher and standard level unless annotated with the following codes: HL = Higher Level, SL = Standard Level.
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
English Language and Literature, Japanese Language and Literature, Independent Self-Taught Language: Literature (SL only), Our Lens to the World: World Issues Through Media (CA course)
Group 2: Language acquisition
Japanese B, Spanish B, Japanese Ab Initio (SL only), Spanish Ab Initio* (SL only).
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Economics, Geography, History, Environmental Systems and Societies, World Issues Through Media (CA course)
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and Societies, The Science of Wellness (CA course)
Group 5: Mathematics
Mathematics: Analysis and approaches, Mathematics: Applications and interpretation, Business and Consumer Maths (CA course)
Group 6 : The Arts
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Film
Canadian Academy also supports students who may wish to study IB Diploma courses through Pamoja Education, an external online provider. We are currently offering Psychology and Business & Management via Pamoja. These subjects are Group 3 subjects. Additional courses may be approved on an individual basis. There is an additional fee for these courses. Please speak with the Gr. 11-12 Learning Leader if you are interested in taking one of these courses. A student can take a maximum of 2 online courses per year, including Pamoja courses.
*Spanish Ab Initio will likely be offered online with Pamoja Education.
For students following the full IB Diploma:
Choose whether you will be taking English Lang and Lit at the SL or HL Level
Choose a language from Group 2 or another Language A from Group 1
Choose a subject from Group 3
Choose a subject from Group 4
Choose a subject from Group 5
Choose a subject from Group 6 OR one more subject from groups 1, 2, 3, 4
Choose three of these subjects at higher level and 3 at standard level
Students who take Environmental Systems and Societies meet the requirements for both Group 3 (Individual and Societies) and Group 4 (Experimental Sciences). They can then select an additional subject from Groups 1, 2 or 6 ( see example 3 below).
The following examples illustrate how a student might select their courses.
Group 1: English Lang and Lit (SL)
Group 2: Spanish B (SL)
Group 3: Economics (SL)
Group 4: Biology (HL)
Group 5: Mathematics AA (HL)
Group 6: Chemistry (HL)
Group 1: English Lang and Lit (SL)
Group 2: Japanese B (SL)
Group 3: Economics (HL)
Group 4: Biology (SL)
Group 5: Mathematics AA (SL)
Group 6: Geography (HL)
Group 1: English Lang and Lit (HL)
Group 2: Spanish B (SL)
Group 3: ESS (SL)
Group 4: Mathematics AI (SL)
Group 5: Visual Art (HL)
Group 6: Theatre (HL)
Group 1: English Lang and Lit (HL)
Group 1: Japanese Lang and Lit (SL)
Group 3: History (HL)
Group 4: Physics (SL)
Group 5: Mathematics AI (SL)
Group 6: Music (HL)
For students following the CA Diploma (with IB courses):
Choose one subject from Groups 1-5 in the table above.
Choose a subject from group 6 OR another from groups, 1, 2, 3, 4.
You may choose all IB courses or a combination of CA and IB courses.
All IB subjects may be taken at standard level. Some may be taken at higher level.
The following examples illustrate how a student might select their courses.
Group 1: English Lang and Lit (SL)
Group 2: Spanish B (SL)
Group 3: Economics (SL)
Group 4: Biology (SL)
Group 5: Mathematics AA (SL)
Group 6: Film (HL)
Group 1: English Lang and Lit (SL)
Group 2: Spanish B (SL)
Group 3: World Issues Through Media (CA course)
Group 4: The Science of Wellness (CA course)
Group 5: Business and Consumer Maths (CA course)
Group 6: Visual Arts (HL)
To earn our accredited CA High School Diploma and participate in graduation ceremonies, students must meet the requirements listed below. A total of 24 credits is needed to obtain a CA High School Diploma, although students typically earn 28 credits.
Students earn one-half credit for successfully completing a semester-long course and one full credit for successfully completing a year-long course. It is important to note that students enrolled in year-long courses must complete both semesters to receive the full credit.
Subject Credits Needed
English 4.0
Mathematics 3.0
Humanities 3.0
Science 3.0
Languages 2.0
PE and Health 2.0
Arts 1.0
Electives 6.0
Total Credits 24
Students must also complete CA's CAS requirements. See the CA CAS Handbook for further information.
Students transferring to CA with high school credits will be awarded a maximum of eight credits per year. A determination of which CA graduation credits have been fulfilled will be made by the student’s counselor and the Principal.