Upper Senior School - IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 & 12)
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year international education programme that prepares students aged 16–19 years for success going into, and throughout, university. The DP is recognised by universities all over the world and offers a holistic approach to teaching and learning with a keen focus on developing intercultural awareness. Students learn to explore and understand the world around them through inquiry, critical thinking and open-mindedness.
Why the DP?
Parents who want the best possible education for their children choose the DP because it offers:
- A challenging academic curriculum that serves as outstanding preparation for university and higher education
- A student-centred approach to teaching, focused on developing students intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, as opposed to preparation for test-taking only
- A focus on international-mindedness, compassion, and understanding intercultural differences
- Respected, reliable and world-renowned academic preparation
- Universities regularly cite DP students as the best prepared for higher education.
- DP graduates excel at university and often begin their studies with advanced standing
What is unique about the DP curriculum?
DP students complete courses from six subject groups, ensuring a depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding. By engaging with a range of subjects, they experience a comprehensive education that encourages them to link their learning to form a more useful way to apply what they have learned. The study of an additional language is also required, as well as the completion of a compulsory programme core consisting of three components:
- Theory of knowledge (TOK) challenges students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know.
- The Extended Essay (EE) introduces students to the demands and rewards of independent work prior to entering university, requiring them to produce a self-directed piece of research in an area of personal interest
- Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is an experiential learning component where students engage with a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including community service and athletic options.
- Assessment and examination at the end of DP courses are a recognised worldwide standard, measuring student understanding and providing a passport to university.
Three subjects are chosen at Higher Level (HL), the others at Standard Level (SL). Students are able to make their choices flexibly; this means they can decide which subjects to study more deeply with a view to future university attendance. The Higher-Level subjects are studied more deeply and extensively than those at Standard Level. At both levels, various skills are developed, especially those of critical thought and analysis. At the end of the course, students’ achievements are evaluated by means of external examinations. Many subjects also involve tasks that are internally assessed by the teachers and externally moderated by the International Baccalaureate.
For more information, please visit www.ibo.org.
