IB Diploma

The IB Diploma is an internationally-recognised curriculum that embodies 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.

More information about the IB Organisation, the Diploma Programme generally and paths to careers and universities can be found on the IB website.

Course choices and requirements

Students choose six subjects, one from each of the 6 subject groups OR one from each of the 5 and the sixth from any in groups 1-5. Here are the classes generally offered at ISH.

Three of the six courses are taken at the Higher Level. The differences between High and Standard Level vary, but generally Higher Level is closer to a university level course and represents about 90 additional hours of work over the two years.

Students must also complete the IB DP Core.

Each course requires a set of assessments, some balance between exams taken in May of grade 12 and other assessments completed and collected throughout the two year program.

Each of the six subjects receive a grade of 1-7. Three points are possible for the core requirements of Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. Thus there is a possible score of 45 npoints on the IB Diploma.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is awarded when the student achieves the following:

  • A minimum of 24 points

  • At least 9 points Standard Level courses and 12 in Higher Level courses

  • All Higher Level courses require more than a 2

  • Grade D or above for Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge

  • CAS requirements are met.

Scores are released in July after the exams.