The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging and balanced programme which prepares students for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address students´ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being and has gained recognition and respect from the world´s leading universities.
- Acquire breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding while studying courses from six subject groups
- Develop the skills and a positive attitude toward learning that will prepare them for higher education
- Learn at least two foreign languages and increase their understanding of different cultures
- Make connections across traditional academic disciplines and explore the nature of knowledge through the programme´s unique Theory of Knowledge course
- Undertake in-depth research into an area of interest through the lens of one or more academic disciplines in the Extended Essay
- Enhance their personal and interpersonal development through creativity, activity and service.
The three core elements
- Creativity – Activity – Service, in which students complete two CAS activities for each CAS category
- Theory of Knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know
- The Extended Essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper
CAS
Creativity – Activity – Service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements that every student must complete as part of the Diploma Programme. Studied throughout the IB, CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies.
CAS is internally assessed. Students reflect on their CAS experiences as part of the Diploma Pogramme, and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes for CAS, which are:
Students identify their own strengths and develop areas for growth
Students should demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken and that new skills are developed in the process
Students must show commitment to and perseverance in completing CAS experiences
Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Think about and reflect upon the ethical implications of their choices
TOK
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) plays a special role in the IB Diploma Programme as it connects to all subjects and informs the approach to learning. TOK is also a course that is designed to get student think critically about what we know, how we produce knowledge and the tools we use to determine if knowledge is credible.
TOK is a course that is centered around knowledge questions and inquiry. It is organized by examining knowledge through a variety of themes and areas of knowledge.
The Extended Essay
The Extended Essay is an independent piece of research, culminating with a 4,000 word paper.
This core element provides practical preparation for undergraduate research and an opportunity for students to investigate a topic of personal interest to them. Students are supported throughout the process of researching and writing the Extended Essay, with advice and guidance from a supervisor who is usually a teacher at the school.