Is IB for me?

Why IB?

The IB Diploma Programme is comprised of accelerated and rigorous, pre-university courses of study for students who love learning.  The curriculum is based on standards set by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in Switzerland and delivered through instruction throughout the world. The goal of IB is to help students learn how to learn, analyze, and reach considered conclusions about global societies and their place within them, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and understanding world. While it is understood that parents or guardians might want their child to participate in the IB DP, experience has shown that the student has to also be motivated and prepared to challenge oneself in order to benefit from and excel in the program.  

Students interested in John T. Hoggard’s IB Diploma Program should be able to demonstrate the following:

· Intellectual curiosity and a strong aptitude for learning

· A successful academic record (to include enrollment in all honors classes where available)

· A willingness to take academic risks and to reflect on the nature of knowledge

· An ability and willingness to undertake independent research

· An ability and willingness to undertake projects and activities that often involve community service

· Strong academic and personal integrity

· Consistent school attendance and engagement

The IB Learner Profile

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

IB learners strive to be:

• Inquirers

  • They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning, and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

• Knowledgeable

  • They explore concepts, ideas, and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

• Thinkers

  • They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and they make reasoned, ethical decisions.

• Communicators

  • They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

• Principled

  • They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups, and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

• Open-minded

  • They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and they are open to the perspectives, values, and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and they are willing to grow from the experience.

• Caring

  • They show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and they act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

• Risk-takers

  • They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and they have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

• Balanced

  • They understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

• Reflective

  • They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

How can it benefit me?

• When earned, the IB Diploma speaks to a student's level of global engagement, critical thinking, and an appreciation for recognizing and utilizing their strengths.

• It allows for depth of study.

• It is recognized by top national and international universities.

• It provides an engaging, holistic learning experience through secondary education.

• Identifies you as a student who is well-prepared for university study - often well beyond that of freshman coursework.

• With its international-minded focus, it prepares you for successful study and work abroad.