The Diploma Programme at Citadel High School - Parent and Student Information Page  

We are excited to offer this internationally recognized curriculum to our community and to our students through the support of the Halifax Regional School Board and the Nova Scotia Department of Education.

 

The IB Diploma Programme provides a rigorous academic experience for students in their grade 11 and 12 years that prepares them for success in university and beyond. This comprehensive and challenging program teaches students critical thinking, writing and research skills and requires that the students develop a community mindedness and value for others.

 

 

What courses do I take?

 

To receive an IB Diploma you must complete 1 course from each of the following subject groups* –

 

1.      Languages (English Literature, offered at two levels)

2.      Second Language (French, offered at two levels or Spanish)

3.      Individuals and  Society (Economics or History offered at two levels)

4.      Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

5.      Mathematics (offered at three levels)

6.      The Arts (Music, Theatre, or Visual Art)

(please see the Course Selection Book for more detailed descriptions of each course)

 

Three of the six must be taken at the Higher Level and three are taken at the Standard Level. Higher Level courses require 240 hours of study and will be completed over 3 semesters (grade 11 and 12) while the Standard Level courses are 150 hours in length and will be completed over 2 semesters. You should note that a regular Academic course at Citadel will require 110 hours of study. 

 

* students may replace a group 6 subject (The Arts - Music, Theatre, Visual Art) with a second group 2, 3 or 4 course.

 

Do I write exams in these courses?

 

Yes. You will write one exam at the end of grade 11 in one of the Standard Level courses (except Math) and then you will write exams in the remaining courses at the end of  grade 12. The exams are all marked externally by examiners from all over the world. This is what makes the IB Diploma so unique and so valuable – students from around the world are measured against the same criteria which provide a clear bench mark of success. IB exams are written in May.

 

Tell me more about assessment and evaluation.

 

Each of the IB courses is evaluated on a scale from 1 – 7 (7 being excellent). To receive the IB Diploma you must achieve a total score of 24 points over the six courses you take – in other words an average of 4 in each of the courses. In addition, you must complete requirements of the CAS program, TOK course and Extended Essay (see below). The maximum number of points available to a student is 45 which includes a possible 3 bonus point from the Extended Essay and TOK course.

 

While most of the mark you achieve is derived from externally marked exams, the teachers also mark you on lab work, oral commentaries, major essays, portfolios and day to day course work. These internal assessments are designed to meet criteria established by the IBO, so you are prepared to write the exams. They are also assessed by external examiners.

 

Does the Diploma require anything else?

 

Yes. There are three central elements to the IB Diploma Programme. They are -

 

1. The Creativity, Action and Service Program (CAS). Students are expected to complete a total of 150 hours of extra-curricular service hours. These activities help students develop self-confidence, initiative, responsibility, concern for others and the ability to work cooperatively with other people. They also provide an important balance to the academic requirements of the programme.  What is CAS?
2. Theory of Knowledge (TOK). This course requires 100 hours of study an will be taken over two years – 50 hours at the end of grade 11 and the remaining hours at the beginning of grade 12. It is a course designed to teach students to think critically about what they are learning and to appreciate other cultural perspectives.
3. The Extended Essay. Students will write this formal research paper on a topic of their choosing from within the areas of study in their course work. The 4000 word paper, like the examinations will be externally moderated.

 

Is there an opportunity to take only one or two of the IB courses?

 

Please note that these Certificate courses will only be made available if there is room in the class. Students who receive a certificate do not complete the Extended Essay, TOK or CAS requirements. Students who are interested in the Arts may take an IB credit in Music, Theatre or Visual Art.

 

What would my course selection look like over my 3 years at Citadel?

 

            As one example – if you are a math/ science student

Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Math 10 IB (2 semesters) Science 10 IB English 10 IB French 10 IB History 10 IB 2 electives	Math SL History SL* Chemistry HL Physics HL French SL* English HL TOK	Math SL Chemistry HL Physics HL English HL TOK

*exams are written in grade 11 for this course

 

What are the benefits of the IB Diploma?

 

The IB Programme is a comprehensive international curriculum with an emphasis on critical thinking, intercultural understanding, citizenry and extracurricular activities.  Students are exposed to a broad range of subjects, but study several subjects in great depth. The ultimate benefit of this program is that IB graduates are literate, articulate, adaptable, confident young adults with expertise in at least two languages and a global understanding of issues.You may be interested to read an essay composed by John Messenger about the intrinsic values of this programme.  In addition to just wanting to participate in this excellent program, many students take the IB Diploma to improve their chances of university admission.  Graduates of the IB Diploma Programme consistently perform well at university. Because of this, the IB Diploma is recognized by a growing number of universities in Canada, the United States, and further abroad.  At some universities, graduates with an IB Diploma may receive preferred entrance status, scholarships and possibly advanced credit or transfer credits for IB courses in which sufficiently high results were achieved. Many Canadian universities have entrance scholarships created specifically to attract IB Diploma graduates. More Information for students.