What is IB?

Mission: The International Baccalaureate programs aim to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The aim of all IB courses at the Emerald Campus aligns with this philosophy and is aimed at creating a better more people-centered world through the traits of the IB learner profile. The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools: Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Thinker, Communicator, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-taker, Balanced and Reflective.

We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become more responsible members of local, national, and global communities.

Each Dublin IB DP course is strategically selected to foster critical thinking and problem solving aimed at making our students better learners and better people passionate about creating a better world.

Students interested in IB may take courses toward earning an IB Diploma awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organization, or individual courses.

• Courses are available in six subject groups. Students can choose a mix of any individual courses at Emerald Campus.

• Students are encouraged to select at least two IB courses to make the most of travel time from their home high school.

• Research suggests that there are many benefits to choosing the Diploma Program (DP). Find out more about the IB

Visit each link to learn about the courses in each group:

• Group 1: English Courses

• Group 2: Language Courses

• Group 3: Individuals and Societies Courses

• Group 4: Science Courses

• Group 5: Math Courses

• Group 6: Art courses

There are two levels of IB courses – higher level (HL) and standard level (SL).

The HL courses have a required number of class hours, which corresponds to two school years in length. HL courses have a more prescribed in-depth level curriculum than SL courses. The SL courses are required to be at least one school year in length, but many extend across two years.

Students take written examinations at the end of each course, which are graded by external IB examiners. Students also complete internal assessment tasks in the school, which are either initially graded by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners. Internal assessments can include portfolios, research experiments, and speaking assessments. Internal assessments provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate learning in a variety of ways.

Assessments are criterion-related, which means student performance is measured against pre-specified assessment criteria based on the aims and objectives of each subject curriculum, rather than the performance of other students taking the same examinations. The range of scores that students have attained remains statistically stable, and universities value the rigour and consistency of Diploma Program assessment practice. For each IB course, students receive grades ranging from 7 to 1, with 7 being highest. Students receive a grade for each IB course attempted.

Assessment Example: IB Literature

11th Grade: Reflective Paper on a text of your choice from the curriculum (20% of IB score)

12th Grade: Presentation on a text of your choice (20% of IB Score)

End of 12th Grade: Exams that assess ability to write a response to a passage of literature (60% of IB score)

Regardless of a student’s choice to participate in the IB Diploma Program or take individual IB courses, all students are REQUIRED to complete all of the prescribed IB assessments for each IB course they take. There is an IB subject fee associated with the internal and external assessments for each course. This fee is covered by students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.

• Any school, or group of schools, offering the IB program must first be authorized. The requirements are the same for all schools, and the procedure is designed to ensure that schools are well prepared to implement the programme(s) successfully. All IB World Schools are required to participate in an ongoing process of review and development, using the same programme standards and practices.

• As part of its ongoing commitment to the development of a highly skilled global learning community, the IB provides a wide range of high-quality professional development opportunities to help new, experienced and expert school leaders and educators understand, support, and successfully deliver IB programmes reflecting IB standards and practices.

• How is the IB Diploma Program different from other college preparatory programs?

  • The IB Program encompasses two years (junior and senior year) and is designed to enhance student learning by exploring the connections between six subject areas. The IB Program uses a cross-curricular approach and a globally-minded perspective to enhance student learning. To help ensure integrity of the IB standards, IB teachers are assessed throughout the year by the IB administration. Each subject area also contains a 5-year cycle of review and revision to ensure students interact with the most relevant high school curriculum in the world.

• What are “higher level” and “standard level” IB courses?

  • There are two levels of IB courses – higher level (HL) and standard level (SL). The higher-level courses have a required 240 class hours, which corresponds to two school years in length. Higher-level courses have a more prescribed in-depth level curriculum than standard level courses. The standard level courses are required to be at least one school year in length, but many extend across two years.

  • Diploma Students must take at a minimum 3 HL and 3 SL courses. They are permitted to take 4 HL and 2 SL if they choose

• Can a student take IB courses without participating in the Diploma Programme?

  • While the full Diploma Programme is the foundation of the International Baccalaureate Programme, the International Baccalaureate Organization allows students to take individual IB courses without participating in the full Diploma Programme.

  • With the relocation of the IB Programme to Emerald Campus, it is beneficial for students to consider taking 2 or 3 IB courses in a block to maximize their experience at Emerald Campus as well as their home high school.

  • Although the IB Core (including Theory of Knowledge, Creativity Activity Service, and an Extended Essay) is required for full IB Diploma students, students participating in four or more IB courses during the junior and senior years may also take the IB Core.

• What do the IB scores mean? How do students earn the IB Diploma?

  • Students have prescribed IB assessments for each IB course and earn a score from the International Baccalaureate Organization based on their performance on these required IB assessments. Students earn a score from 1 – 7 in each IB course. Many universities often use a score of “4” or “5” as the minimum for granting admission or advanced course placement. To be awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma, students must earn a minimum cumulative score of 24 in their courses, and must have required scores in accordance with the scoring rules set by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

• How will I be assessed in an IB class?

  • The IB uses both internal and external assessments that are used to issue an IB score of 1-7.

  • External Assessments: (graded by IB graders) composed primarily of written exams (at the end of the course) that include : essays, structured problems, short-response questions, data-response questions, text-response questions, case-study questions, multiple choice questions (rarely)

  • Internal Assessment: (Graded by DCS teachers and moderated by IB graders) includes: oral work in languages, fieldwork in the social sciences, lab work in the sciences, investigations in mathematics, artistic performances or portfolios in the arts

  • Read further information on understanding DP assessment.