IB Diploma Programme Overview

The IB Diploma Programme, founded in 1968, is an international pre-university course of study that leads to examinations. It is available in English, French and Spanish, and is designed for highly motivated students in the final two years of high school

The DP is a comprehensive, demanding academic experience that allows students to fulfill the requirements of their state or national education systems. The DP incorporates the best elements of national systems, without being based on any single one.

DP assessment is criterion-referenced: each student’s performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement. Scores reflect knowledge and skills relative to set standards applied equally to all schools. Academic judgments about candidate’s work rest with over 5,000 examiners worldwide, led by chief examiners with international authority in their fields.

The DP curriculum aims to develop in students the ability to reason for themselves, rather than merely accumulate facts. It provides a through education in a broad range of subjects. It aims to enhance awareness of our common humanity, to encourage a sense of social responsibility, and to prepare students for higher education. It allows students the freedom to pursue their own needs and interests within a framework of a properly balanced education. It is both a structured programme that offers a strong general education and a flexible programme that acknowledges the particular interests of individual students.

Students who wish to earn an IB diploma must study one course from each of the six groups and complete the core requirements. The core of the hexagon curricular model has three components: Creativity/Action/Service(CAS), the Extended Essay(EE) and Theory of Knowledge(TOK). Of these six courses, at least three, but not more than four, must be studied at the higher level (HL) and the remaining two or three at the standard level (SL). The framework ensures a breadth of study while allowing students the flexibility to explore some subjects in depth. HL courses require 240 hours of instruction and take two years to complete. SL courses require 150 hours over two years.

DP course offerings at FIS

The following are the DP courses currently offered at FIS.

Group 1: Language A1
English A1 (HL or SL)

Group 2: Second Language
Japanese A2 (HL or SL), Japanese B (HL or SL), Japanese ab initio (SL only), English B (HL or SL)

Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Information Technology in a Global Society (HL or SL), History (HL or SL)

Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Chemistry (HL or SL), Biology (HL or SL)

Group 5: Mathematics
Mathematics (HL or SL), Mathematical Studies (SL only)

Group 6: Arts and Electives
Visual arts, electives from group 2, 3, or 4

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
http://www.ibo.org/

General Regulations Diploma Programme