| The IB Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is a two year pre-university course, designed to facilitate the mobility of students and to promote international understanding. It leads to awarding either the IB Diploma or IB Certificates in separate subjects. The full Diploma Program (DP) is comprehensive and designed to provide students with a balanced holistic education in preparation for tertiary study in colleges and universities around the world.
At KIS the IB Diploma Program is optional and fully integrated into the US accredited KIS High School Diploma curriculum delivered to grades 11-12.
The IB is a rigorous program which involves studying a minimum of six subjects, three or four at higher level (HL) and three or two at standard level (SL). Examination papers are set by international experts and marked externally. Students must also:
- Complete at least 100 hours of instruction in an interdisciplinary course called Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
- Complete an extended essay of 4000-5000 words involving independent research in an IB subject
- Participate in an approved 150 hour program of creative, active and community service activities (CAS or Creativity, Action and Service)
The IB Diploma hexagon indicates the 6 subject areas from which choice of subjects are made. For more details, see the IBO web site: www.ibo.org
KIS IB Diploma subjects are chosen from each of the following six groups below:
| Group |
Subject |
Courses |
1 |
Group 1
Language A1 |
Language A1 English SL/HL |
2 |
Group 2
Language B /
Ab Initio |
French SL, German SL/HL, Hindi SL/HL, Spanish Ab
Initio, Spanish SL & Korean B, SL/HL, Tamil SL, Dzongkha SL |
3 |
Group 3
Study of Individuals
& Societies |
History, Economics, Geography, Business
& Management & Psychology (HL/SL) |
4 |
Group 4
Experimental Science |
Biology, Chemistry, & Physics, (SL/HL)
Environmental Systems(SL) |
5 |
Group 5
Mathematics |
Mathematical Studies SL , Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL
Computer Science HL/SL |
6 |
Group 5
Art & Electives |
Visual Arts and Music, (HL/SL) |
Students may take one subject from each of the six groups, or one subject each from Groups 1 - 5 and a second subject from Groups 2 - 5.
KIS courses which are available at IB Higher or Standard Level are indicated in the respective department sections of the KIS Curriculum Guide.
Click here for pdf download of KIS 2008 / 2009 IB Handbook
Word from the IB Coordinator
The year began on a very positive and exciting note. For the academic year 2008 – 2009 KIS has 105 full IB Diploma students who reflect the cultural diversity of the school and an increase of 133% over last year’s numbers.
There are many new developments in the IB Diploma program furthering our commitment to promoting internationalism and intercultural awareness and understanding.
- New languages include French B HL, Spanish B SL, Dzongkha SL, Korean SL
- Exchange students have the option of taking language A1 SL self taught / A2 SL/HL
- Psychology SL and HL has been reintroduced
- Environmental Systems and Societies – a new trans disciplinary subject at SL level
- KIS is participating in a pilot project for the IB’s future initiatives for e-assessments
- As IB celebrates its 40th anniversary, IB World Schools are invited to come together in the first of a series of IB global lessons on one of the key challenges facing the world. KIS is actively contributing to the community theme – Sharing our Humanity - and looking forward to participating in the Global Classroom project starting on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2008
Kaisar Dopaishi
Useful Links:
www.ibo.org - International Baccalaureate Organization |
