International Baccalaureate

VGO Home

Student Services Staff

Academic Information and Choosing Courses

	General Information
	International Baccalaureate
	Course Selection Guide
	Study skills

Potential Graduates

	Post-secondary Planning
	Scholarships, Bursaries, and Student Loans

Counselling Resources and Youth Support Services

	Tons of Helpful Info
	Youth Health Center
	Youth Resource Agencies
	Personal Counselling and Confidentiality

Exploring Careers

Leadership and Exchange Opportunities

Upcoming Events

Guidance Liaison Team

Links

	Halifax Regional School Board
	Correspondence Study
	Flexible Learning and Education Center
	QEH Home

The IB Diploma Program provides a rigorous academic experience for students in their grade 11 and 12 years that prepares them for success at university. Originally developed in the 1960s to provide a common curriculum to students internationally, the IB program pulled together many of the best ideas from education systems around the world. This very comprehensive and demanding program teaches students critical thinking, writing, and research skills and requires that they complete a service project that takes them out into their community.

International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

Students who enroll in the IB Diploma Program are typically self-motivated and hard working individuals who strive for success at all times. The program requires a significant commitment of time and energy that students should consider carefully.

The Diploma Program is built upon a core of three components – the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, the Extended Essay and the CAS (creativity, action and service) program. The TOK is a 100-hour course that provides students the opportunity to explore the development of philosophy, civilization and culture and is central to the overall intent of the International Baccalaureate diploma program. The Extended essay is a 4000 word research paper that student’s write on a topic of their choice from within the scope of the IB diploma courses. This paper is submitted in the student’s grade 12 year. The third central element is CAS. This 150 hour program is completed by the student outside school time and must include service provided to the community or school.

The Courses offered to students fall into 6 areas of study:

Students must complete one subject from each of these areas of study*, three of which are taken at the higher level (HL) and three at the standard level (SL). The higher level courses require 240 hours of study and span the grade 11 and 12 years, while the standard level courses are completed in 150 hours, generally in the grade 11 year.

 * students may choose to take another science or math course in place of the arts credit

Much of the long term success of the IB program and indeed some of its international flavor is derived from the fact the students are evaluated, at least in part, externally by examiners from all over the world. The world-wide agreed upon standard for the outcomes for the various courses provides students and post- secondary institutions with a clear bench mark of success.  Teachers and students must work together to achieve the goals of the program.

The specific course descriptions for the IB Preparatory courses can be found in the course selection guide. In addition, students entering grade 10 should choose at least 2 other electives.