International Baccalaureate – information education
International Baccalaureate is a recognized leader of international educational programs. It is represented by three coordinated programs for students from 3 to 19 years old:
- The program of primary school for students aged 5-11 years old
- The program of middle school for students aged 11-16 years old
- High school program for students aged 16-19 years old.
The structure of IB program – core specifics
The program includes for studying in the USA:
- 6 subjects for compulsory studying
- detailed essay (scientific thesis) up to 4000 words
- A compulsory subject for study is the Theory of Cognition (a combined course of various disciplines and skills for the practical application of theoretical knowledge in life).
Each student enrolled in the Diploma program is recommended to spend 150 hours developing creative skills, developing physical fitness (sports) and charitable activities (environmental protection, charitable assistance). Each subject is evaluated according to a seven-point system, where 7 is the highest score. An additional three points can be obtained for an excellent thesis and for a project on the Theory of Cognition. 45 points is the maximum possible result that a student can get while studying for a Diploma program. To obtain an International Baccalaureate Diploma, a student must score at least 24 points.
How the studying process is organized?
Each student chooses for studying 6 subjects (one subject from each of the following groups 1-5), and additionally take sixth discipline from groups 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6. The student compulsory study minimum three subjects according to the in-depth program, other three disciplines are studied within the framework of the secondary school standard. You cannot study more than 5 subjects in an advanced program without the special permission of the IB coordinator of the school.
Subjects for advanced study require 240 hours of classes for each course. The subjects of the standard course are given 150 hours of lessons during the program.
- Group 1: Languages A1. Usually the student's native language (80 various languages for choice).
- Group 2: The second language. The foreign language in addition to the first language being studied from group A1 (in-depth or standard).
- Group 3: People and Society: Humanities subjects such as: philosophy, Economics, Business and Management, psychology, anthropology, law, peaceful conflict management, information technology, geography, history.
- Group 4: Experimental sciences: physics, chemistry, biology, ecology, environmental protection technologies.
- Group 5: Mathematics: standard mathematics, mathematics of medium complexity, mathematics of increased complexity, higher mathematics. Computer technology and programming can only be an additional sixth subject, but not part of the mathematics course.
- Group 6: Creativity and additional courses: painting, graphics, ceramics, music, choreography, drama. The offered subjects of this group can be replaced by a student with any other subject from Groups 2,3,4 or computer technology from Group 5.
Thesis – information for the foreign students
The student must write a thesis, consisting of 4000 words (10-11 pages of format A4) on any subject he studies. The topic for the work can be any, but forcing the student to explore and study the subject of the topic. The thesis is written under the guidance of a teacher who simultaneously develops the same topic, gives written advice to the student.
CAS – what is it in the USA?
CAS is an abbreviation of three words: Creativity, Action, Service. This block of the program is additional, inviting students to participate in socially significant events, sport competitions, engage in creativity. This section of the program is aimed at motivating students to go beyond the school academic program, to feel their importance in the world by sharing their skills with others. It is necessary for obtaining a diploma that the foreign student is engaged in creative, sport and social work at least 50 hours for each type of activity.
The hours are documented in official school journals, which are submitted annually in January to the head office of the International Baccalaureate Organization. The diploma is issued if the required course is completed in full.
The course Theory of knowledge – information for the foreign students
Each student must successfully pass the course Theory of knowledge. At least 100 academic hours are allocated for this subject. The aim of this course is the development of critical thinking, logic and the ability to learn independently. The condition for the successful completion of this subject is the writing of an abstract of 1200-1600 words (4-5 pages of A4 printed text) on one of the offered topics of choice and its presentation.
How to receive the IB certificate?
To obtain an IB Diploma, the following requirements must be met:
- Minimum 3 subjects are studied in-depth and 3 – according to the standard program
- 4 disciplines are studied in-depth and 2 – according to the standard program
- Each of the six subjects studied is given a score of 2 or higher. The student must score at least 24 points.
- 150 hours should be spent on creativity, sports and social work during the course.
- The foreign student need to pass a thesis.
- To provide an abstract and presentation on the course Theory of Cognition. To obtain a Diploma, a student must receive a grade of at least D (three) for a thesis or for an abstract on the Theory of Cognition.
Enrolment requirements in the USA for the foreign students – study on IB program
Below the list of documents is provided:
- The copy of passport
- School annual grades for the last 2 academic years + quarter/trimester grades for the current academic year
- International language certificate
- Recommendation letters from teachers of mathematics and English
- Motivation letter
- Registration and school forms.
In addition to the above list, children are also required to take internal school tests in mathematics and English to determine whether the children are sufficiently well prepared at the time of admission to a private school in the USA.