What is IB?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a two-year program for students in grades 11 and 12. It is designed to help students develop strong critical thinking, research, writing, and time-management skills while preparing them for university
Unlike many other high school programs, IB focuses not only on academic knowledge but also on personal growth, global awareness, and different perspectives. Students are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and make connections in their classes.
IB structure
IB students take 6 different subjects: groups 1-6
1. Language and literature
2. Language acquisition
3. Individuals and societies
4. Sciences
5. Maths
6. The Arts (or another subject from groups 1-5)
Students typically take
3 HL (high level courses)
3 SL (standard level corses)
HL courses typically occur more times, and cover more content, making them more demanding
Core IB parts
In addition to these six subjects, students must complete these three core requirements:
EE (Extended Essay)
The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word independent research paper on a subject/topic of your choice. It helps students develop research and writing skills that are useful for university
TOK (Theory Of Knowledge)
This class explores how knowledge is created, what it is, and how it is understood
Students examine questions such as: How do we know what is true? What makes evidence reliant? Can knowledge be biased and changed based on perspective?
CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)
CAS encourages students to participate in activities outside the classroom. Students engage in creative projects, physical activities, and community service while reflecting on what they learn from these experiences. There is also a CAS project where students can create something that they are interested in such as a website, social media page, organizing a fundraiser, or anything project that is a creative service
Why does IB stand out?
The IB stands out because it focuses on:
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Critical thinking rather than just memorization
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Independent research
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Strong writing and communication skills
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Global perspectives
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Time management and personal responsibility
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