• What is so special about the IB?

  • IB programs are recognized around the world and ensure an increased adaptability and mobility for IB students.

  • The curriculum and pedagogy of IB programs focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while insisting that students fully explore their home culture and language.

  • IB programs encourage a positive attitude to learning by challenging students to solve problems, show creativity and resourcefulness and participate actively in their communities

  • IB World Schools must undergo an exhaustive authorization process in order to offer one or more of the programs, which includes a study of the school’s resources and commitment to the IB mission and philosophy.

  • Many students graduating from the Diploma Program find that it enhances their opportunities at tertiary institutions. The IB works closely with universities around the world to gain recognition for IB programs.

  • The core components of IB programs encourage students to participate in creative and service-oriented activities, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of reflection on a personal and academic level.

• Click HERE to see why the IB Diploma is ideal preparation for University.
  
  
  IB students learn to know and understand the skills needed to thrive in modern societies increasingly go beyond traditional academic content and disciplines. There is growing evidence of the importance of “21st century skills”, which encompass a wide range of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and time management. These skills can prepare students to live and work in a world with rapidly evolving technologies and many complex issues.
  
  The IB's unique program aims to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed.
  They will:

  • Develop time management skills and a strong sense of self-motivation

  • Be encouraged to think critically and challenge assumptions

  • Take part in programs of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world

  • Become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language

  • Develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools

  • Be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
    

Students are able to take responsibility for their own learning and understand how knowledge itself is constructed; this is further to our unique theory of knowledge (TOK) course. They are encouraged to try different approaches to learning and to take responsibility for their own educational progress.

Our program helps IB students:

• • Ask challenging questions

  • Think critically

  • Develop research skills proven to help them in higher education

Listen to students and educators tell how the DP helps learners become more resilient, confident and capable. The program encourages the development of self-management skills and reflection.

How does the IB prepare underserved students to be successful at university?

AP vs. IB

You are probably familiar with the AP, or Advanced Placement, but more and more people are learning about the IB, or International Baccalaureate, and wondering what is the difference between the two programs? Below is a review of each program and how they differ.

Comparing the Advanced Placement (AP) Vs the International Baccalaureate (IB)

Introduction-

Both the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs give high school students an opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Depending on the college they attend, these courses can lead to advanced placement (skipping entry-level courses) or sometimes even receiving college credit for the coursework completed under these programs.

The AP program-

Began in the U.S. to offer more challenging courses to capable high school students. An introductory college level course is offered followed by an examination in May. Students are rated on a five-point scale on the examination which is administered by the Educational Testing Service. Many overseas and American high schools participate in this program. Classes can be taken in just one subject or in a variety of subjects. Also see AP International from the College Board.

The IB program-

Was designed through an international cooperative effort and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. This program offers an academically challenging curriculum emphasizing the philosophy of learning and the integration of disciplines. The IB diploma is designed for the last two years of high school. It can be supported by a curriculum beginning as early as elementary school. Because it is a comprehensive two-year program it can be difficult to transfer during that last two years and complete the IB diploma at a different school. Individual tests, however, can be taken for courses completed even if the full diploma program is not completed. Exams are completed in May with all exams centrally evaluated to set criteria by international examiners.

Although the IB is widely seen as an alternative to AP classes, IB’s different for a few reasons. For one, IB is offered at the elementary and middle school levels. AP is not. What’s more, IB can be the curricula for a handful of classes (like AP) or it can be an intensive school-wide program (unlike AP).

The AP comparison only fits in a high school with an IB diploma program where students are allowed to take one or more IB classes in their strongest subjects. Even then, IB and AP classes tend to differ in teaching method and testing. Some see AP as more focused on rote learning and standardized tests. In contrast, IB classes and assessments tend to involve more research, writing, and hands-on evaluation. A key difference is the final exam. IB exams are set up to challenge students to apply what they’ve learned in new scenarios, such as analyzing a case study, in an effort to test students’ ability to react to new information in a limited period of time. The tests (often essays) are then sent to one of 6,000 trained international examiners to be graded alongside work from other IB students worldwide.

Quote from Marilyn McGrath Lewis

Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Harvard University

"IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript".