IBDP Overview
Through the DP, schools are able to develop students who:
have 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 course.
DP Requirements
Courses and Exams
A total of 6 IB course are required:
3 (no more than 4) at Higher Level (HL)
3 (or 2) at Standard Level (SL)
6 total exams (up to 2 SL in 11th grade)
One course from every area (Language, World Language, Individuals & Societies, Sciences and Mathematics. The Arts is optional. Students can take a second course from one of the other areas in lieu of an Arts course)
Theory of Knowledge
1 credit interdisciplinary course focused on critical thinking skills and using the knowledge framework to examine the mandatory core theme of knowledge and the knower and two additional themes such as knowledge and technology or knowledge and language. There are two assessments in the TOK course; the exhibition in 11th grade and the prescribed title essay in 12th grade. The TOK class is also the vehicle to introduce and support students in their other DP core requirements. This course is taken in both the Junior and Senior years as a one-time rotation pull-out from PE/Health.
CAS
Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements (along with TOK & EE) that every student must complete as part of the Diploma Programme (DP).
The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are characterized as follows:
Creativity – arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.
Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.
CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience. It provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work. Students work with Supervisors for each chosen strand experience as well as the CAS coordinator to complete this portion of the DP.
EE
The Extended Essay, along with TOK & CAS, completes the DP core requirements. The EE is a 4,000 word original in-depth study and college-level research paper on a topic chosen by the student which is supervised by a student-chosen mentor and graded via the student-chosen IB rubric. Students will be mentored by their mentor, TOK teacher, as well as the Media Specialist, throughout the entirety of the process. In-school workshops to help facilitate this process will take place to provide students with time and support. Students' final paper are submitted to the IB for assessment.