Why IB?

The IB Programme is a two-year academic route to graduation that challenges students to learn how to learn, analyze, and reach considered conclusions about people, language, literature, sciences and mathematics as it affects our world. The IBDP effectively prepares students for university by asking them to push beyond their perceived educational comfort level. In doing so, they develop the skills needed for post secondary success while in high school, and this is very important given the recent increase in anxiety and depression that has plagued our youth.

There has been much talk about resilience and stress in the media and in academia lately. Stress is normal and, unless it is toxic stress, is something that should be embraced as an agent of growth. The IBDP provides students with academic challenges, often for the first time. IB students experience struggles that they learn to overcome through hard work and perseverance. IB students are pushed harder and further than provincial students, but with the support of their teachers, and their parents/guardians, develop skills over two years that serve them well beyond the halls of Colonel Gray.

The IBDP also endeavors to foster international mindedness in students. More and more, students will be required to live, work and interact with others on a global scale. Exposure to different cultures and ways of thinking is a powerful educational advantage in today’s society.

The IBDP was brought to Colonel Gray to address an identified need for enrichment for high school students on P.E.I. In order to become an IB World school, Colonel Gray underwent an intensive authorization process that included IB training for teachers, an on-site inspection of the facilities, as well as interviews with all teachers assigned to teach IB, parents and students, members of the Department of Education and the school board. Since our school’s authorization we have graduated five classes and our results have been consistently above world average. We have celebrated two years with a 100% success rate. Teachers are engaged in professional development as part of the quality assurance required by the IBO.

Our graduates move on to university and report that they are very well prepared. They start their university journey with skills already in place for success. It is certainly challenging while in grade 11 and 12 but the long term benefits are well documented. Some comments from a recent survey are worth sharing here.

• “The IB program allows students to really take control of their education: they must take initiative and learn on their own time rather than follow notes in class. This prepares for universities and life in general. It also induces a fair amount of stress, which later helps put everything into perspective: IB has helped me realize marks do not matter, and knowledge does.”

• “IBDP helped me gain skills essential to being a successful student. I learnt time-management and organizational skills. I learnt how to develop balance between my personal and academic life. Additionally, it helped me become a better communicator with other people and professors. Through IBDP, I have gained critical thinking skills and the ability to appreciate different types of knowledge. Also, IBDP revealed my strengths and curiosities which I chose to further pursue in university.”

• “University was, I think, a lot easier compared to some friends who did the regular CGHS school system. Because it pushed me so much to be an individual and, more importantly, to understand the real benefit of education and how learning directly [impacts] the way I live my life … I felt more engaged than I may have been without it. I heard of a lot of classes in the regular school system that saw exams and essays as pointless hurtles to get through, not opportunities for betterment. The IB did a great job reminding me that assessments were designed to show me where I can improve. I used to think getting effortless 90’s and up on exams was the whole point… During IB I realized it meant I wasn’t being challenged, and so I wasn’t growing. And what else is the point of education? …”

• “It’s been very helpful, mostly in terms of time management and communicating with my professors.”

• “Forcing me to be more well rounded in terms of my education was the single most important gift that was given to me by the IBDP. I spent the majority of my time learning how to do well in English and Mathematics, which definitely helped me as I began post-secondary schooling.”

• “It taught me how to study wisely and manage time wisely. The high intensity of IB made me more prepared for university.”

• “IB program has helped me in many ways. I not just had a strong foundation in my area of study when I started university, but I also had the ability to: present in front of a relatively large group of people with confidence, provide input in classes and participate in discussions, understand the importance of extracurricular activities and participate in them.”

• ‘The courses I am taking are very similar in structure to the IBDP classes which is helpful as I have already acquired skills and time management abilities to succeed in the course.”

• ‘I found university easy in my first year. The content was all new and challenging at times but I was prepared for it. I knew how to handle to course load, I knew how to study effectively and it all helped especially when you weren’t given class notes and you had to go off the professors lectures and a book. While in school it was difficult to believe that coming out of IB would make a big difference but after just one week of classes and after the first lab you could really see the difference in the education that you received vs someone else. -studying skills, time management, lab skills, writing skills, communication skill, presentation skills, all improved and help in post secondary education.”

• “It almost goes without saying that the IB program was incredible preparation for university studies. I was able to make the transition much more easily than some of my non-IB peers. I knew how to work hard, set goals, and manage my time. I knew how to write, read, and think. Beyond the preparatory value, I also earned 30 credit hours (the equivalent of an entire year’s work) of university transfer credits for my IB coursework. When you think about it, that’s an awesome cost saving! It also allowed me to choose a course trajectory that I find exciting and interesting. I was able to earn many scholarships, not only in my entrance year but as I progressed through my university education. I credit IB with helping me to develop the skills that I used to earn these awards. To date, I have earned over $30,000 in scholarships and academic awards. Having my IB diploma also gave me incredible flexibility in my university education. I had the option to graduate in three years. I had the option to take a 80% courseload, freeing up time for work and extracurriculars. Finally, I had the option to do an interesting combination of coursework. I have chosen to complete my BBA (marketing specialization) and an Engineering Diploma in my four years at university, creating a unique cross-disciplinary skill set. Most students wouldn’t have that option, because it simply wouldn’t fit in their timetables.”

CGHS IB Alumni have reported studying in the following fields:

Bachelor of Science

B. Sc. Kinesiology

Joint BBA and Diploma in Engineering

B.A in English

B.A. Major in Psych/French

B.Sc. Neuroscience

B.A. History/Political Science

B.Sc., Biotechnology Major, English Minor

B.Sc. Biology

B.Sc. in Software Engineering

B.Sc in pharmacy

Graphic Design certificate

Bachelor of Arts

Engineering

Bachelor of Arts and Science

M.Sc./PhD in Chemistry

MSc Neuroscience

Animation/Illustration

Medicine

Veterinarian

Of course, it is also useful think about “Why Not, IB?“. Students who drop out of the IB Programme tend to do so for a number of reasons. Some find that they don’t want to engage in the level of work needed for success, or that they are very attached to high marks (which are easier to get provincially). Some claim that they can’t do the IBDP and study Engineering. Our graduates report otherwise, however. Some students feel that they are too busy. You have to be very motivated to do the IBDP and maintain an intense extra-curricular schedule. History has shown that it can be done, but for some students, their extracurricular life is the most important part of their high school journey. For IB students, engagement in international mindedness, academics and preparation for university are the most important part of their high school journey.

If you aren’t sure whether the IBDP is right for you, feel free to make an appointment with the IBDP coordinator, or talk to a current IB student or graduate. The more information you can gather, the more informed a decision you will make.

This is a great video if you have time to watch it: https://youtu.be/09xXwfBenCA