Nova Scotia International Baccalaureate Programs

LEARN WHY THE IB IS UNIQUE 

“The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global leader in international education—developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring young people. Our programmes empower school-aged students to take ownership in their own learning and help them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes fast”.

The IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate® aims 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 programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

IB Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Career-related Programme (CP) are designed for students aged 16-19 (grades 11 and 12).

The IB Diploma programme is a rigorous, broad-based two-year pre-university course of study that aims to encourage students to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and the attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view.

The course is presented as six academic areas enclosing a central core.

The IBDP curriculum consists of:

Six IB subjects – 1 from each subject group

• Group 1:  Language and Literature

• Group 2:  Language acquisition

• Group 3:  Individuals & Societies

• Group 4:  Experimental Science

• Group 5:  Mathematics

• Group 6:  The Arts (students may opt to study and additional sciences, individuals and societies, or language subject instead of a subject in the arts).

Three DP Core courses

• Theory of Knowledge course

• Extended Essay 

• Creativity, Activity and Service

The IB Career-Related Programme 

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Career-related Programme (CP) is a three-part educational framework that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique programme addressing the needs of students who wish to focus on career-related education. The programme leads to further/higher education, apprenticeships or employment.

It consists of:

• IB Diploma courses (minimum 2)

• CP Core courses

  • IB Personal and Professional Skills

  • Community Engagement

  • Reflective Project

  • Language Portfolio

• Career-related study courses

Students complete at least two DP courses. DP courses provide and enhance the theoretical underpinnings and academic rigour of the CP.

The CP core components give context to the DP courses and the career-related study, drawing all aspects of the framework together. Through the CP core, students develop personal qualities and professional skills, as well as intellectual habits required for lifelong learning. 

Each school chooses the career-related study most suited to local conditions and the needs of its students. The career-related study must satisfy IB criteria for accreditation, assessment and quality assurance. 

TIMELINE

IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM INFORMATION 

IB CAREER-RELATED PROGRAM INFORMATION (IBCP)

The Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is pleased to announce that two Nova Scotia IB World Schools, Cole Harbour District High School, and Park View Education Centre have become candidate schools* for the IB Career-Related Programme. Both schools are already IB World Schools offering the Diploma Programme. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that both Cole Harbour High School and Park View Education Centre believes is important for their students. 

*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org 

NOVA SCOTIA IB INFORMATION 

Nova Scotia IB Practices

Students who are interested in the IB Diploma Program should consult with the IB Coordinator. In Nova Scotia all IB Diploma schools have open admission.  While students who are considering enrolling in the IB Diploma Program are advised to take pre-IB courses in Grade 10, it is not required.

Any interested student in an IB school may enroll in the IBDP in grade 11. Students who are considering the IBDP and who did not take pre-IB courses in grade 10 are still eligible. Students wishing to take the IBDP who attend a non-IB school can apply for an out of district transfer to an IB school nearest to their home. Out of district students attending an IB school must make their own travel arrangements to attend that school.

Students who earn the IB Diploma are also awarded the Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma. Eligible students may also earn the IB French Bilingual Diploma as well as the Nova Scotia French Immersion Certificate or Integrated French Certificate.

THE VALUE OF AN IB EDUCATION 

NOVA SCOTIA IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM SCHOOLS 

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION

• Horton High School (Wolfville, Kings County)

CAPE BRETON VICTORIA REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION

• Sydney Academy (Sydney, Cape Breton County)

CHICNECTO CENTRAL REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION

• Cobequid Educational Centre (Truro, Colchester County)

• Northumberland Regional High School (Westville, Pictou County)

CONSEIL SCOLAIRE ADADIEN PROVINCIAL

• École secondaire Mosaïque (Dartmouth, Halifax County)

HALIFAX REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION

• Charles P. Allen High School (Bedford, Halifax County)

• Citadel High School (Halifax, Halifax County)

• Cole Harbour District High School* (Cole Harbour, Halifax County)

• Halifax West High School (Halifax, Halifax County)

• Woodlawn High School (Dartmouth, Halifax County)

SOUTH SHORE REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION

• Park View Education Centre* (Bridgewater, Lunenburg County)

STRAIT REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION

• Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional School (Antigonish, Antigonish County)

TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION

• Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School (Yarmouth, Yarmouth County)

* IB career-related program candidate schools

UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION

The IB Diploma is highly regarded and recognized in universities across the world.  Universities recognize the challenge, skills, and preparation for university studies that the IB Diploma programme offers students.  Here are some common ways universities view the IB Diploma programme.

• Academic Rigor: Universities appreciate the rigor of the programme and consider students who have successfully completed the programme to be well-prepared for university studies.

• Global Perspective: The DP encourages students to develop a global-minded outlook. This aspect is highly valued by universities in today’s interconnected world.

• Holistic Assessment: IB assessment practices are very comprehensive and include internal assessments and internal exams. Grading is awarded by trained external IB examiners who are independent of the students’ schools. This results in universities being able to determine students’ capabilities from countries across the world.

• University Credit: Many universities grant university credits or advanced standing for IB courses.  This can shorten the time students take to complete their degree.  Statistics indicate that IB students tend to finish in 4 years as opposed to the more common completion time of 6 years.

• Competitiveness and Differentiation: Completion of an IB diploma often sets students apart from others during the application process. Universities understand the dedication and challenging nature of the programme.

• Skill Development: The strong emphasis on research, critical thinking and research skills eases the transition to university studies and supports success at the university level.

Most universities/colleges recognize the rigorous academic requirements of the IB Diploma Programme and offer scholarships/awards designated for IB Diploma students.

Each university has its own policies regarding IB.

It is recommended that students directly consult with the Registrar or the Admissions Office of the university/college they intend to apply to for the most current information on recognition of the IB Diploma at that particular university/college. Click on a university below to find a sample IB recognition policy:

• Bishop's University

• Dalhousie University

• St. F.X. University

• St. Mary's University

• University of Toronto

• Mount Allison University

• Mount St. Vincent University

• Memorial University

• University of British Columbia

Last Updated  February 12, 2025  |  Pour des informations en français cliquez ici