The International Baccalaureate Program is a comprehensive, internationally based program of studies which will appeal to motivated students who are intent on pursuing university studies. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program offers challenges and experiences beyond the regular High School Diploma Program and provides the opportunity to prepare for post-secondary study in all major disciplines. Visit the IBO website at www.ibo.org for additional background information about the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
A successful student in the IB Program will demonstrate a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of the mastery of subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in a competitive world. Students will demonstrate high standards of participation and achievement in course work, along with involvement in extra-curricular activities and citizenship projects. They will benefit from study in the company of other interested and motivated students; the development of time and task management skills; local, national and international emphasis in curricular areas; the challenge of international competition; and university recognition. The foundation of the International Baccalaureate Program is preparation for success in post-secondary study.
The foundation of study in IB falls into the subject groups: Group 1 Language A: the study of English and World Literature; Group 2 Language B: the study of a second language; Group 3 Study of Man in Society; Group 4 Experimental Sciences; Group 5 Mathematics; Group 6 Arts or Electives including a second science. Assessment is ongoing and includes both internal and external assessment components in addition to final International Baccalaureate examinations in May of the Grade 12 year. Final IB marks, on a scale of 1 to 7, are granted from IBO after completion of all IB requirements at the end of Grade 12. Of note: students are assessed and awarded marks on an Alberta standard throughout the high school program and complete Alberta Diploma course requirements. Students completing IB courses will be awarded two distinct marks: one from Alberta Education on the Alberta standard, and one on the International Baccalaureate standard from IBO. Universities will consider both mark standards for entrance and scholarship purposes.
International Baccalaureate Diploma requires three subjects at the Higher Level (English, History & Biology at BCHS), and three subjects at Standard Level (Chemistry, Mathematics, and either French or Japanese as a second language at BCHS), and the satisfactory completion of the requirements of an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and participation in Creativity, Action and Service (CAS).
International Baccalaureate Certificates are awarded to students who do not elect to complete the full Diploma Program, but complete one or more selected IB courses in combination with other regular high school courses. These candidates are not required to complete the IB Diploma requirements of an Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and CAS.
During the Two-Year IB Program, students are encouraged to consider study as Diploma candidates in a full IB Program to satisfy the requirements for the IB Diploma at the end of Grade 12. Students may also study as Certificate candidates in a Partial IB Program to earn IB subject Certificates at the end of Grade 12. In either situation students will complete the requirements for related Alberta course work in all subject areas.
