IB Diploma Program
The IB Diploma Programme is designed as a challenging and balanced programme of education for students in grades 11 & 12, with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and life beyond.
The programme, which is taught over two years, has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities and is offered by over 2,200 IB World Schools in about 130 different countries.
Since the late 1960s, the programme has:
- Provided a package of education that balances subject breadth and depth, and considers the nature of knowledge across disciplines through the unique theory of knowledge course.
- Encouraged international-mindedness in IB students, starting with a foundation in their own language and culture.
- Developed a positive attitude to learning that prepares students for university education.
- Gained a reputation for its rigorous external assessment with published global standards, making this a qualification welcomed by universities worldwide.
- Emphasised the development of the whole student - physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically.
IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at the higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, humanities, experimental sciences and mathematics.
The six compulsory subject areas are:
Group 1: Language A: Studies in Language and Literature
Group 2: Language B: Acquisition
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts
The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 1 to 5. At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at higher level (recommended 240 teaching hours), the others at standard level (150 teaching hours). These subjects are largely externally assessed by examinations in May of the second year.
In order to attain the IB Diploma a candidate must fulfill a number of requirements, including:
24 points in total, at least 12 of which are HL
No SL may be a grade 1
No HL may be a grade 2
A grade A-D in TOK and the EE
Complete the CAS requirements
In addition, the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.
The Extended Essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.
Theory of Knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).
Creativity, Action, Service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.
Dr. Jacob Akundo
DP coordinator