The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities.

The curriculum
IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from groups 1 to 5.

Programme model
The curriculum is modelled by a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the three core requirements.

Over the course of the two-year programme, students:

• study six subjects chosen from the six subject groups
• complete an extended essay
• follow a theory of knowledge course (TOK)
• participate in creativity, action, service (CAS).

Normally:

• three of the six subjects are studied at higher level (courses representing 240 teaching hours)
• the remaining three subjects are studied at standard level (courses representing 150 teaching hours).

Subjects, other than languages, may be taught and examined in:

• English
• French
• Spanish.

In addition the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.

The extended essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.

Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).

Creativity, action, service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately

We are pleased to announce that in December 2008 New School became an IB World School.

We are authorised to teach the IB Primary Years Programme and are a candidate school for the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programme.

We are planning to become an IB Diploma Programme school from September 2010.

www.ibo.org