What is IB?

IB Information en Espanol

The information booklet link above is designed to give insight into the IB diploma program and how it operates on our campus. In addition to this written information, video explanations are available below to assist families in understanding the program and determining if it is a good fit for their student.
Though the information here is complete, 8th grade students and their parent or guardian are strongly encouraged to attend an information meeting at North HS to hear about the IB program in person. The information presented is the same both evenings.

Information meetings for Fall 2025:

The information meetings for the class of 2030 will take place in late November or early December. Check back at the end of the first qurter for more specifics!

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 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.

INTRODUCTION

The International Baccalaureate program (IB) was first designed in 1968 to enable international schools to meet the special needs of their frequently mobile student population. Since the program's inception in 1968, hundreds of thousands of candidates representing over 150 different nationalities have taken the examinations. Last year alone, IB Diploma students were admitted to more than 3300 universities, colleges, or other institutions of higher education in 90 different countries.

There are currently over 7,500 IB world school programs (PYP, MYP, DP) in 160 countries offering curriculum to nearly 2,000,000 students. The first California high school entered the IB program in June 1982. John W. North High School was authorized to participate in IB in June 1987. Approximately 950 American high schools are now part of the International Baccalaureate DP, 115 of which are located in California. Between 2016 and 2020, there was a 33% increase in the number of authorized IB programs worldwide. Though the program originated only in private schools, public or government schools now represent 56% of all IB programs worldwide and 92% of programs within the United States.

IB HISTORY IN BRIEF

1962 Geneva International School initiates IB planning

1970 First full IB examinations are taken

1976 Many universities in 35 countries recognize IB

1977 70 public and private secondary schools in 29 countries

1981 Over 150 schools in 35 countries

1987 John W. North High School becomes the 19th CA high school

2017 3100 IB Diploma Programs in 147 countries serve more than 180,000

candidates in DP coursework and exams

IB LEARNER PROFILE

The aim of all IB programs 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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