The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year course that has been recognised as one of the strongest pre-university courses available for Grade 11 and 12 students.
The IB Diploma Programme is appropriate for motivated, intellectually curious students who seek a challenging and engaging academic experience that will prepare them well for university-level study. The course combines academic rigor with three ‘core’ interdisciplinary components that prepare your child for university by developing soft skills such as leadership, public speaking, and self-management skills.
IB Diploma Overview
Subjects
IB students at CIS choose six subjects, which are taught concurrently over the course of the two-year programme. Students choose their subjects from a wide range of offerings, and each student’s unique, individualized programme reflects his or her interests, prior learning, and future goals. However, these choices are made within a framework that ensures breadth as well as depth.
CIS students must select one subject from each of the following five departments:
- English
- Second Language
- Social Studies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
For their sixth subject, students are encouraged to choose an Arts subject, but may instead choose from a list of electives offered in Social Studies or the Sciences.
Most IB Diploma subjects are offered at Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL). Students are required to study three subjects at HL and three at SL to achieve the IB Diploma. This choice is made in February of Grade 11 with changes in the hours of study in Grade 12. The exception to this is HL Mathematics, which must be selected from the beginning of Grade 11. HL Subjects include additional content and are generally more rigorous than their SL counterparts.
At CIS, DP students receive regular feedback from their teachers about their progress, along with guidance about how to improve their mastery of the content, concepts and skills developed in each subject.
Grades
Grades for all IB Diploma subjects are based on a combination of internal and external assessments. While each subject differs, in general 70%-80% of the final grade for each course is based on External Assessments, while 20%-30% of the grade is based on Internal Assessments.
The final exams taken in May of Grade 12 are externally assessed, and in some subjects other work is also externally assessed, such as world literature essays for Literature classes and portfolios for Visual Arts.
Entry Requirements
Current Requirements for entry into Full IB Diploma Program are as follows:
- Successful completion of Maths 20-1
- Successful completion of ELA 10-1
- Successful completion of Social Studies 10-1
- Successful completion of Science 10-1
IB Learner Profile*
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their
common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like
them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.
IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
Knowledgeable
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Thinkers
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
Principled
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
Open Minded
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Risk-Takers
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Balanced
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live
Reflective
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
*reproduced with permission from ibo.org
IB Core Requirements
IB students complete three ‘core’ requirements of the IB Diploma Programme: the “Creativity, Activity and Service” programme, which exposes to students to new experiences outside the classroom, develops leadership potential, and supports the development of an ethos of service; the “Extended Essay,” an independent research project on a topic of the student’s choice; and the interdisciplinary “Theory of Knowledge” course.
Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)
The CAS element of the IB diploma challenges students to undertake a project that demonstrates the three strands of CAS; Creativity, Activity, and Service. During this undertaking, your child will enhance their personal and interpersonal skills via participation in a range of activities that compliment their academic studies.
Each student has a different starting point, and therefore different goals and needs, but for many their CAS activities include experiences that are profound and life‑changing.
ibo.org website
While not formally assessed, students reflect on their CAS experiences as part of the IB Diploma, and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes for CAS. In order to achieve success, students must, show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop soft skills in areas such as, leadership, collaboration, and problem solving.
CAS requires your child to be self-motivated and work in collaboration with others, which in turn, fosters a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment from their work. Additionally, CAS provides much needed respite from the academic rigours of the IB Diploma program.
Extended Essay (EE)
The Extended Essay is an independent research paper of 4,000 words that is designed to prepare students for university level research. This is a process that develops your child’s ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.
For the EE students have the opportunity to investigate a topic related to one of the six IBDP subjects that is of personal interest to them. Alternatively, Diploma candidates may choose an Extended Essay in world studies and study an issue of contemporary global significance.
At CIS, your child will be supported throughout the research and writing process through an assigned supervisor, who will provide advice and guidance.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
TOK encourages students to explore the nature of knowledge and gain a greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions. Through a process of thoughtful and purposeful inquiry your child will develop an understanding of the diversity of cultural perspectives.
Theory of Knowledge is explored through open-ended enquiry centered around “How do we know?”. Other questions include:
- What counts as evidence for X?
- How do we judge which is the best model of Y?
- What does theory Z mean in the real world?
Through TOK your child will develop skills and techniques for applying their knowledge with a high degree of credibility and a greater awareness of what constitutes validity with respect to knowledge.
The TOK course is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600 word essay .
Learn More About the IB DIploma
Download our IB Diploma information pack and start your child’s International Baccalaureate journey today.