Program Description

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB) is an intellectually rigorous pre-university course of studies for students in schools worldwide. It is offered to highly motivated students in the final two years of secondary school. Preparation for the final years is begun with enrichment and acceleration in the first two years of secondary school. The International Baccalaureate is a widely recognized two-year comprehensive program that allows graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems. Mastery of subject content and the development of critical thinking, and research skills is excellent preparation for success at post secondary institutions in North America and abroad. The IB Program gives students the opportunity to investigate disciplines at a greater depth and breadth than they might normally. Successful Diploma Candidates will receive the IB Diploma as well as the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Success in the IB Program requires ability, self-motivation, organization, commitment, and interest. Students must be able to balance academic responsibilities with participation in extracurricular activities and community service.

The IB Diploma identifies a student as one who has met the challenge, accepted it, and succeeded based upon an international standard.

The Structure of the IB Program

The IB Program requires a student to select courses in the six groups identified below.

To obtain an IB Diploma, candidates must successfully complete a course and write an international examination in each of these areas of study in their final two years of secondary school. Students study courses from each of the groups for a period of two years. Of the six courses, three and not more than four are to be taken at the "Higher Level" and the remainder at the "Standard Level".

IB Courses offered at Colonel By Secondary School

Group 1: Language A1 (English, HL and SL)

Group 2: Language B (French, HL and SL, and/or Spanish SL)

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

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

Group 5: Mathematics (Math Studies SL,or Math SL, and Math HL)

The Math studies stream has a student follow the academic stream for math and completes the high school curriculum with Data Management. This course is designed, yet not restricted to the Liberal Arts field of study.

The Math Methods stream has an accelerated curriculum through out the four years of high school completing the curriculum with Calculus. This course is designed, yet not restricted to the Math / Science field of study.

Group 6: Elective (Visual Art SL, or Music SL, or one further selection from Groups 2, 3, or 4)

Two sample curriculums have been provided for students following a potential Liberal Arts and Math - Science curriculum.

The Core of the IB Program

1. All Diploma candidates must take the Theory of Knowledge course. This course examines, reviews, and challenges the origins and validity of various types of knowledge. TOK dares the student to question the conventional basis of knowledge. The student is assisted in the development of critical thinking skills and the presentation of rational arguments.

2. All Diploma candidates must prepare and submit an Extended Essay of 3,500 to 4,000 words. The Extended Essay involves an in depth study of a limited topic of interest to the individual student. This component of the Program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage in independent research. Much emphasis is placed upon organizational skills and the manner in which ideas are expressed. The student is responsible for the creation and development of his/her Essay and is guided through the process with a series of discipline-specific standards and guidelines dictated by the International Baccalaureate Program. Throughout the process, students receive encouragement and support from their Extended Essay faculty advisor. As a major preparatory element for university's self-guided learning, the student is fully responsible for the end product of their Extended Essay.

3. CAS, (Creativity, Action and Service) is the final component of the IB hexagon's core. CAS is experiential learning, whereby the student will develop new areas of self-discovery and self-understanding through creative and active endeavors, and by discovering their place as an integral element of their community, be that local, national, or international. This element requires that each student spend an average of 4 hours per week over the two years in IB (grades 11 and 12) involved in extra-curricular activities. This element is designed to foster a spirit of discovery and contribution to the society to which they belong.

Evaluation in the IB Program

Student achievement is assessed according to specific performance criteria established by the International Baccalaureate Organization. There is both internal and external evaluation used in the IB Program.

External Assessment

Written examinations are set by the Chief Examiners and evaluated by over 2,000 assistant examiners from all over the world. These examinations may include essay and short answer topics, document based and multiple-choice questions.

Internal Assessment

According to the requirements for individual subjects, assessment may take the form of major written assignments, or project work in Mathematics and the Sciences. Internal assessment is first carried out by the teacher at Colonel By, and then goes to an external moderator to insure uniform standards of evaluation are maintained.

The Award of the IB Diploma

The assessment for IB examinations consists of 7 grade levels:

Grade 7 - Excellent
Grade 6 - Very Good
Grade 5 - Good
Grade 4 - Satisfactory
Grade 3 - Mediocre
Grade 2 - Poor
Grade 1 - Very Poor

Up to three additional points may be awarded for a student's combined performance in the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge papers.

The Diploma is awarded to any student who meets or exceeds 24 points and who has no failing conditions.

University Recognition

Students who elect to pursue the International Baccalaureate Program will be guaranteed outstanding preparation for further academic study at university. Successful completion of the Diploma allows students to be considered for admission to many universities and may often receive advanced credit and/or placement for those courses in which they have received a 5, 6, or 7 score. Please refer to individual university documentation (through registrar's offices and university calendars) for current recognition policies.

Summary

The IB is however, more than superb academic preparation. It encourages responsible citizenship, tolerance, and a consciousness of the shared humanity which binds us all together. We are citizens of a globe of tremendous diversity; IB recognizes and encourages us to become active members of this society.

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