International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

What is the Diploma Programme?

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education and final examinations that prepares students, aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond (International Baccalaureate Organization, 2007).  Alcuin Upper School students have the opportunity to earn both an Alcuin School diploma and an International Baccalaureate® (IB) diploma.  Officially recognized in more than 140 countries and by universities around the world, the IB diploma represents the finest pre-university credential available.  Since the first IB graduates in 1968, 1,493,820 IB students in 143 countries have earned the IB diploma.
 

How does the Diploma Programme curriculum benefit students?

The DP provides a balanced curriculum of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS), and Extended Essay (EE). Students create individual pathways in the DP through their selection of individual courses in the six subject groups.  Never one test on one day, the IB assesses student work as direct evidence of achievement against the stated goals of the Diploma Programme (DP) courses. There are IB World Schools in nearly 150 countries throughout the world, and students send exam results to higher education institutions in nearly 90 countries annually.

Alcuin School offers twenty DP courses from which each student creates an individual graduation plan.  These course offerings provide the student more than 200 pathways to the IB diploma.  As a result, the student, who seeks a math-science pathway, or the student, who seeks a liberal arts pathway, is equally well served.  DP courses provide access to university level content meeting international standards.  Through the DP core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete university level independent research and undertake community service.  
    • A diagram explaining the approach of the IB Diploma Programme.

The value of an IB education

What distinguishes IB at Alcuin?

  • Fidelity:  Alcuin implements the IB with the highest level of fidelity providing the maximum benefit of an IB education and the greatest level of individual student engagement.
  • Faculty:  Commitment to individual student coupled with advanced degrees and professional development distinguish the Alcuin IB faculty.  Students and educators truly form learning teams.
  • Facilities:  Alcuin provides state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, technology and resources.
“IB is well known to us for excellent preparation. Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Programme on the transcript.  GPA is not nearly as important a factor in university admission as the IB Diploma.”
~ Marilyn McGrath Lewis Director of Admissions Harvard University
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