The International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate is a continuum of international education, including:

IB Learner Profile

IB programmes aim to develop internationally minded people who are striving to become:

Shared Features in Grades K-12

Criteria for an International Curriculum

IB World School

An IB World School has:

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The Primary Years Programme (PYP)

At the heart of the PYP is a commitment to structured inquiry as a vehicle for learning. Six organizing themes help teachers and students explore knowledge in the broadest sense of the word. Teachers and students use key questions that are concept-based to structure the units of inquiry. They acquire and apply transdisciplinary skills while developing an understanding of these important concepts.

The Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The MYP provides a thorough study of various disciplines. It also accentuates the interrelatedness of them, acknowledging the role of the subject disciplines and transdisciplinary study. At the same time, the IBO recognizes the importance of respecting the independence and integrity of each discipline. Five perspectives known as the areas of interaction are at the core of the MYP. These are: approaches to learning; community and service, health and social education, environment, and homo faber. These pervade and recur throughout the five years of the MYP, through the eight subject groups, but also through interdisciplinary teaching and projects, whole school activities and the MYP personal project. The areas of interaction are not directly assessed nor awarded individual grades, since they are themes rather than subjects. They are, however, indirectly assessed through the personal project. This is an independent piece of work that is intended to be the culmination of the student’s involvement with the five areas. It may be an essay, an artistic production or other form of expression, with the topic chosen in consultation with teachers.

The Diploma Programme (DP)

The Diploma Programme has the strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum, but with three important additional features: the Theory of Knowledge class, the Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Action, Service). Students choose one class in each of six subject groups: Language A, Second Language, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, and the Arts.

The Mission Statement of the IBO

The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

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