The IB Diploma curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience by connecting their subject area content knowledge with critical thinking, time management and social-emotional skills.

The three core elements are:

• Theory of Knowledge The purpose of TOK is to challenge students to think critically about what they know and how they know it. IB Diploma students take the course during their junior and senior years culminating in a final essay exploring the nature of knowledge and how we interact with it in the real world. 

• The Extended Essay The EE is an independent, self-directed research paper. Students work with a supervisor over the course of their diploma career as they cultivate analytical, organizational and communicative skills. Click here for an overview of the Extended Essay Process at JICHS.

• Creativity, Activity, Service  CAS requires students to take part in a range of experiences and at least one project. These should involve:

  • real, purposeful activities, with significant outcomes

  • personal challenges

  • thoughtful consideration of actions including planning, reviewing progress, reporting

  • reflection on outcomes and personal learning

  • JICHS IB CAS handbook