HS Curriculum: IB Programme

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NIS has been approved to offer the International Baccalaureate Organization Diploma Programme

On May 20, 2008, Nagoya International School was approved to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and is now officially an IB World School. NIS is proud to be a part of the IBO and join schools around the world that share a common philosophy - a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that NIS believes is important for our students.

Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) as IB World Schools can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme. NIS will offer the IB Diploma Programme from the fall of 2008 for the 11th grade students.

For further information about the IBO and its programmes, either read below or go to: www.ibo.org

What is the IB Diploma Programme (DP)?

    The “IB Diploma Programme” (DP) is an international pre-university course of study that leads to examinations. It was created by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in 1968, and is a comprehensive, demanding academic experience that allows students to fulfill the requirements of their state or national education systems. The Diploma Programme (DP) incorporates the best elements of national systems, without being based on any single one system. The DP is available in English, French and Spanish, and designed for highly motivated students aged 16 to 19 in the final two years of high school. There is also a MYP (Middle Years Program) and a PYP (Primary Years Program) curriculum that schools can utilize to prepare students for the IB Diploma Programme, but NIS will initially only be implementing the Diploma Programme (DP). Schools that offer the IB program are called “IB World Schools”.

    There are over 2,400 IB world schools in over 125 countries with over 500,000 students. In the IB Asia-Pacific (IBAP) region, the IBO's fastest growing region, there are over 200 schools offering the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). In our sub-region there are 14 schools offering the DP, making up the Association of IB Schools in Japan, Korea and Taiwan (AIBSJK).

    The DP grading system is criterion-referenced; each student's performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement. Top grades reflect knowledge and skills relative to set standards applied equally to all schools around the world. Responsibility for all academic judgments about candidates' work rests with over 6000 examiners worldwide, led by chief examiners with authority in their fields.

     The DP curriculum aims to develop in students the ability to reason for themselves, rather than merely accumulate facts. It provides a thorough education in a broad range of subjects. It aims to enhance awareness of our common humanity, to encourage a sense of social responsibility, and to prepare students for higher education. It allows students the freedom to pursue their own needs and interests within a framework of a properly balanced education. It is both a structured programme that offers a strong general education and a flexible programme that acknowledges the particular interests of individual students.

Structure and Requirements of the Diploma Programme (DP)

Curricular Hexagon: Six DP Subject Groups - "Breadth and Depth

The DP curriculum includes six subject groups, often depicted in a hexagon model with a core at its center which also includes additional courses elements entitled "Theory of Knowledge" (TOK), "Creativity, Action, Service" (CAS), and an "Extended Essay" (EE). Students who want to earn an IB diploma must study one course from each of the six groups. Of these courses, at least three, but not more than four, must be studied at the Higher Level (HL) and the remaining two or three at the Standard Level (SL). This framework ensures a breadth of study while allowing students the flexibility to explore some subjects in depth. HL courses require 240 hours of instruction and take two years to complete. SL courses require 150 hours. At NIS, some SL courses can be completed in one year in grade 11. The SL Geography course will be an “anticipated” course, completed in grade 11 and allowing students more time to focus on the other five subjects in grade 12.

The "Core" of the Diploma Programme: CAS, Extended Essay, TOK

The core of the hexagon model has three components: Creativity, Action, Service (CAS), the Extended Essay (EE), and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). To earn an IB diploma, candidates must complete a satisfactory essay for both the TOK and EE.

CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) | CAS helps promote education of the "whole person." Participation in the CAS programme encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service, fostering their awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena. NIS students will spend three to four hours a week - over 150 hours total - on CAS activities.
EE (Extended Essay) | The extended essay, with an upper limit of 4000 words, offers students the opportunity to investigate in depth a topic of individual interest and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at the university level. Students choose teachers as their supervisors and spend at least 40 hours - mostly during the grade 11 spring and summer - to complete the essay.
TOK (Theory of Knowledge) | The TOK course explores the nature of knowledge across all disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives. At NIS, TOK is a seminar course, team-taught by DP teachers, and also requires an essay.

Diploma Programme Assessment

To obtain a full diploma, candidates must score at least 24 points with a minimum of 4 points from each HL course. The highest total score possible in the diploma programme is 45. Final scores are awarded in each subject on a scale from 1 to 7, based on a combination of internal assessment and external assessment. Internal assessment is conducted by NIS subject teachers. External assessment covers subject-specific requirements - written and oral - and final exams, and is conducted by outside examiners.

TOK and Extended Essay "Bonus Points"

IB diploma candidates can earn up to 3 bonus points based on their combined TOK and EE grades. Both TOK and the EE are externally assessed and awarded the following grades: A: Excellent; B: Good; C: Satisfactory; D: Mediocre; E: Elementary

Completion of the Diploma Programme

IB diploma candidates must complete all requirements in all areas to receive the IB diploma. Worldwide, about 80% of students successfully obtain the IB diploma are successful.

Diploma Programme Course Details

DP course offerings at NIS

Though NIS is a small school, we anticipate offering a wide range of DP subjects from which students - with the help of parents, teachers, counselors and the IB coordinator - can create diploma programmes that best suit their immediate needs and future plans. The scope of DP subject choices at NIS will enable students to tailor a course of study to fit their personal interests and goals. The NIS diploma programme will be academically rigorous and will place heavy time demands on students. An NIS DP student must demonstrate self-discipline and responsibility in pursuit of the IB diploma. The effort, as all IB diploma holders around the world will tell you, is well worth it.

DP exams at NIS

All DP subjects lead to externally assessed examinations in May of each year. Grade 11 students who take History SL, ITGS SL, Mathematics SL or Math Studies SL as anticipated courses sit the exams for these subjects in May of their junior year. Exams for all other subjects are taken in May of the senior year. Getting one or two exams "out of the way" in grade 11 is an important consideration.

Diplomas, Certificates, and NIS Graduation

To receive the IB diploma, students must study all six subjects, take TOK, participate in CAS, and write a 4000-word extended essay. But because the IB diploma is not required for NIS graduation however, NIS students can choose to study only some of the six subjects. These students are called "IB Certificate Candidates", and receive a DP certificate for each subject they pass. To graduate from NIS, though, all students - diploma and certificate candidates - must, to some extent, study TOK, participate in CAS, and write the extended essay. Both the diploma and individual subject certificates are positive items to include on college applications.

Choosing DP languages and levels

The study of languages, both a first language and a second or foreign language, is a significant part of the DP, reflecting the international flavor of the IB. NIS tries to accommodate the language study needs and preferences of all our students. Because of the small size of the school, though, language offerings are limited. Because DP language selection can be complicated, careful planning, including consultation with counselors, teachers, the NIS principal, and the IB coordinator, is necessary as early as eighth grade.

Academic Rigor and Overload

The IB diploma programme is very demanding and not everyone who attempts it receives a diploma. About 80% of students worldwide who attempt the diploma succeed in earning it. NIS students, with the help of their parents, teachers, counselor, and IB coordinator, should carefully consider the ramifications of attempting the full diploma programme. The IB diploma is not a requirement for NIS graduation. There is some danger of students taking on too much work. The full diploma programme, combined with extracurricular activities like music, school productions, sports, and student council, makes for a heavy schedule. Students and parents need to be careful to avoid overload.

NIS Graduation Requirements

Students have three options leading to graduation at NIS. All students who accumulate the required number of credits will receive an NIS diploma. In addition, students can also earn an IB certificate or an IB diploma, depending on their scores and courses taken. However, due to the small student body of the NIS high school program, all students will follow the same course of study. Therefore it is suggested that all students attempt at least four certificate courses. In addition, all students will study TOK, participate in CAS activities, and complete an Extended Essay (which was called a “Senior Project” at NIS in the past)

Outside Examiners, Missed Deadlines, Extracurricular Activities

Because most DP assessment is conducted by outside examiners, there are many IB-set mailing deadlines that must be met. Also, internal school deadlines are set, staggered throughout the year, so that students do not have to complete so much DP work at one time. Missing deadlines may lead to loss of the diploma. To prevent this, if students miss deadlines, they may be withheld from extracurricular activities.

University Recognition of the IB Diploma

In addition to our own WASC-accredited high school diploma, NIS offers the IB diploma. IB diploma holders are admitted to the most selective universities in over 100 countries. The IBO has shown over the course of 40 years that IB students are well prepared for university work. The diploma programme has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to leading universities.

U.S. and Canadian Universities
Many North American colleges and universities have exemplary IB recognition policies. Through their policies, these institutions show that they appreciate the IB student and the IB diploma programme. Well over half of the students worldwide who graduate with IB credentials each year enter post-secondary institutions in the USA or Canada. For details about the IB diploma in the US, please read the document "Overview of IB in the United States" at http://www.ibo.org/ibna/documents/ibus.pdf or http://www.ibo.org/ibna/.

University recognition policies on the IBO website: www.ibo.org . To view the diploma recognition policy of an institution in the IBO database, go to www.ibo.org. point at the "Where We Work" heading and then select "Country information." Or, go directly to: http://www.ibo.org/country/ Select a country and then select a particular university or college. The IB recognition policy of that school, along with the relevant contact information, will appear.

Princeton University, New Jersey, U.S. Princeton recognizes the IB diploma and uses examination results for advanced placement purposes. A score of 6 or 7 on higher level examinations is normally accorded advanced placement recognition. Students can use advanced placement in three ways: 1. to enter upper-level courses; 2. to fulfill foreign language requirements; 3. to become eligible for graduation in three or three and one-half years.
Bryn Mawr University, Pennsylvania, U.S. Says the Director of Admissions: "Students earning the IB diploma are superbly prepared for Bryn Mawr. We offer a full year's credit to any student with a score of 30 or above on the full diploma. The full IB is something more than the sum of its parts in a way that three or four APs are not. It ensures the elements of breadth, coherence, basic writing, research and analytic skills."
University of Southern California, U.S. Says the Dean of Admissions: "Students who satisfy the standards of a rigorous and demanding programme in high school are best suited to benefit from the intellectual environment at university. A transcript that reveals a student's enrollment in IB courses serves notice to the admissions officer that the applicant is someone who accepts rather than avoids educational challenges."
University of California system, U.S. Students completing the IB diploma with a score of 30 or above will receive 30 quarter units (20 semester units) total toward their UC undergraduate degree. Students completing IB certificates will be awarded 8 quarter units for each Higher Level examination passed with a score of 5 or above. Applicants are advised to check with the individual UC campus to determine how general education and/or major requirements may be granted.

U.K. Universities
British universities accept the IB diploma as satisfying the general matriculation requirements for entry to all undergraduate courses at higher education institutions. All applications to British Higher Education institutions are handled centrally by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Applicants apply to UCAS between 1 September and 15 December of the year prior to entry. UCAS, PO Box 28, Cheltenham, Glos., GL52 3ZA UCAS website: http://www.ucas.com

The University of Cambridge The IB is highly regarded at Cambridge for entry to all subjects. Diploma candidates should expect to score at least 36 points to stand a realistic chance of acceptance, with scores of 6s and 7s in HL subjects.

IBO Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

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