What makes the IB Program special?

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) programmes aim to do more than other curricula. Our four programmes develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. The IB gives students distinct advantages by building their critical thinking skills, nurturing their curiosity and their ability to solve complex problems.

We strive to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect, alongside a healthy appetite for learning and excellence.

IB programme frameworks can operate effectively with national curricula across all school ages; more than half of IB World Schools are state-funded.

The IB's programmes are different from other curricula because they:

• encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions

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

• encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts

• develop multilingual students.

To teach IB programmes, schools must be authorized. Every school authorized to offer IB programmes is known as an IB World School.

A continuum of international education

IB is a continuum of education, consisting of four programmes that are united by the IB's philosophy and approaches to learning and teaching. The programmes encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development.

Quality practice

IB programmes incorporate quality practice from national and international research and the IB global community. They encourage students to be internationally-minded, within a complex and hyper-connected world.

Students learn how to learn

Throughout all IB programmes, students develop approaches to learning skills and the attributes of the IB learner profile. The IB learner is positively challenged to think critically and to learn in a flexible environment crossing disciplinary, cultural and national boundaries.

IB students take responsibility for their own learning and understand how knowledge itself is constructed, underpinned by our unique theory of knowledge (TOK) course. (This is what Martee teaches and talks about in our interview!)

Our programmes help IB students:

• ask challenging questions

• think critically

• learn across disciplines

• develop research skills proven to help them in higher education and beyond.

IB programmes also encourage students to be active in their communities and to take their learning beyond academic study.

To learn more about the IB program or express interest in attending an IB training, contact Martee! aschmitt@smuhsd.org