IB Diploma

What is the International Baccalaureate?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum leading to examinations for students between sixteen and nineteen.  It is not based on the educational pattern of any single country.  The objectives of the IB program are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience.  The student who satisfies the demands of the program will develop the skills and discipline necessary for success in the 21st century.  In addition, colleges and universities all over the world encourage IB students to enroll in their respective institutions.

OVERVIEW

The Diploma candidates at the International School Maastricht choose their program of six subjects to be studied over two years from the following:

Group 1  Language A1 (best language)
This involves the study of literature including selections from World Literature.  At ISM we offer English A1 and Dutch A1 but we can also provide support for all kinds of self-taught languages.  This is dependent on the student concerned. 

Group 2 Languages
Either Language A2 which is intended for students whose mother tongue is not the language in question but who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the language.  At ISM we offer English A2.

Or  Language B (second language) which provides a foreign language course for students with previous experience of learning the    language.  At ISM we offer English, Dutch, French, Spanish, and German.

Or Language Ab initio (second language) which is a foreign language course offered at Standard Level only.  It is for students who have no previous experience of learning the target language.  At ISM we offer Spanish.

Group 3 Individuals and Societies
These are the Humanities subjects and at ISM we offer History, Geography, and Economics.

Group 4 Experimental Sciences
We offer Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Systems & Societies

Group 5  Mathematics
We offer Mathematics HL and Standard level.  For those students who are non-mathematicians we offer Mathematical Studies SL. 

Group 6  Arts and Electives
Students may choose to do Visual Arts or another subject from Groups 1 to 4.

In addition to the six subjects the IB diploma candidate must meet three additional requirements:
•    Submission of an Extended Essay of 4000 words
•    Satisfactory completion of the Theory of Knowledge course
•    Compulsory participation in the extra-curricular CAS program.

Conditions for the award of the Diploma

The diploma will be awarded to candidates whose total score, including bonus points, reach 24 points and does not contain any of a number of failing conditions. The IB point system is as follows:

1    very poor
2    poor
3    mediocre
4    satisfactory
5    good
6    very good
7    excellent

The diploma cannot be awarded, whatever the total score, to candidates who have

1.    received a grade 1 in any HL subject
2.    not submitted an Extended Essay
3.    not met the requirements of the TOK course
4.    not completed satisfactory CAS