International Baccalaureate

Gray-New Gloucester High School has been an authorized IB World school since 2012 offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP). Established in 1968, the IBDP is an internationally standardized, comprehensive, two-year program of study for students aged 16-19, juniors and seniors at our school. As of 12/2020 there are 5,402 IB World schools in 158 countries, including five IB World schools in Maine. Of the five Maine IB World schools there are three others that offer the IB Diploma Program: Foxcroft Academy, Greely High School & Kennebunk High School.

The IB diploma program aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.

Students who complete the full IB diploma program are exceptionally well-prepared for college. As a public school GNG is proud to offer an open IB diploma program and strives to extend the benefits of this high-quality curriculum and programing to as many students as possible, in as many ways as possible.

Examples of the types of students who could benefit from participating in the full IB diploma program:

• • Highly-motivated, academically-oriented students who are striving to become qualified candidates for highly selective colleges and universities. (GNG IBDP students have been offered admission to U Penn, U Chicago, NYU, Hamilton, Pomona, Rice U, Smith, Washington U, Bowdoin, Colby, & Bates)

  • Students who are interested in earning merit scholarships and up to a full-year of college credit while still in high school, while also becoming as prepared for success as possible once there. (For example, Sam Shampine, GNG IBDP 2016, graduated from Boston University earning her undergraduate degree, as a double major in Mathematics and Economics, AND a MA in Economics within 4 years. She also earned the BU Class of 2020 Prize for Excellence in Economics.)

  • Students who would be the first in their family to attend college. (Click here to view research on the benefits of the IBDP for low-income & first generation college students. )

  • Any GNG student who would like to take on the challenge of growing and developing themselves as a well-rounded learner to the best of their ability through this world-class program of study.

The “full” comprehensive IB diploma program of study includes 6 IB courses spanning at least 5 subject areas and the completion of the IB Core which includes TOK, CAS and the EE. (Click here for more details about the components of the IB Diploma program.)

Students interested in participating in the full IB Diploma program should schedule a meeting with the IB Coordinator, Ms. Thibodeau.