Diploma Programme at St. Mary CA
What is the IB Diploma programme?
An internationally-recognized, two-year diploma program (offered in grades 11-12) providing a challenging curriculum for motivated students
A program that is based on high academic standards which promotes problem-solving and critical thinking skills
A program that offers students the opportunity to :
develop excellent breadth and depth of knowledge
flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
study at least two languages
excel in traditional academic subjects
explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course.
IBO, What is the DP?
To Learn about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:
View the IB Diploma Programme Information slideshow (below)
Attend our IB Information Session / Q&A on October 12, 2023 at 6:30 pm
To register for the IB Information Session and Q&A , click here!
Contact our IB Coordinator, Ms. J. Calado Costa (caladoj@tcdsb.org)
Visit the official International Baccalaureate website at www.ibo.org
How to apply
through SOAR
Scroll through the slide deck for step-by-step instructions on how to apply through SOAR
Deadline: The online SOAR application deadline has passed for 2024-25.
Please contact the IB Coordinator, Judite Calado-Costa (caladoj@tcdsb.org), for admission to the 2024-25 school year.
Presentation to the right is based on last year's dates... new information will be posted in the Fall of 2024.
(After the SOAR application deadline, interested students must contact the IB coordinator for an application package).
2024 SOAR Presentation SMCA and IB (1).pdf
(Click on the link)
(click on the link)
Special Events
Celebrating OUR SUCCESSES
Click on each link to read about our Successes:
SMCA IB Student is Accepted into the Prestigious QuARMS Program
SMCA IB Students are TCDSB TOP SCHOLARS!
SMCA's IB Achievement Statistics
Resources from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
DP_IBO_POSTER_ENG_A2-nobleed.pdfParent Pack
Click on the links below to access additional information.
Parent Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Make Your IB Credentials Stand Out in the University Application Process
Key findings from research on the impact of the Diploma Programme
IB Diploma Broad and Balanced Education.mp4IB Diploma Programme: A Broad and Balanced Education
Watch our IB student-produced video:
(Open in full screen to view.)
IB VIDEO FINAL (2).mp4IB vs. AP: What is the Difference?
IB is a whole curriculum leading to the IB diploma and the AP program is individual exams leading to a score for each subject test you write.
IB is recognized by American, European, and other international universities. AP is accepted almost exclusively by American universities.
Both are recognized in Canada.
The IB is a 2 year, comprehensive program including an independent research essay. AP marks are based only on a single big (mostly multiple choice) exam in May.
To participate in the IB program, you need to be registered at an IB school. You don’t need to be in a school that teaches AP in order to write the AP tests; you just have to find a location at which to write it and pay the per course examination fee.
Any student, including IB students and homeschooled students, can write AP exams since registration in a particular course is not required. You can prep on your own with AP prep books from the bookstore/library and web resources.