IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma at BBIS incorporates all of the elements itemised in the IBO publications. According to the IBO, the diploma "is a demanding pre -university course that leads to external examinations: it is designed for highly motivated students aged from 16 to 19. The programme has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment giving diploma holders access to the world's leading universities." Here at BBIS we offer our students the best possible environment in which they can continue their education, broaden their perspectives and pursue their personal goals.
At the end of 10th grade, students enrolling in the IB Diploma programme choose six academic subjects from each of the subject areas as specified by the IBO. Students must choose a subject from each group: 3 at Higher level (HL) and 3 at Standard level (SL).
International Baccalaureate Courses currently offered at BBIS
Group 1 - Language A1
English Literature HL/SL
English Language and Literature HL/SL
German Literature HL/SL
German Language and Literature HL/SL
Native Language (self-taught) SL
Group 2 - Second Language
English B HL
German B HL/SL
German ab initio SL
Native Language (self-taught) SL
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies
History HL/SL
Geography HL/SL
Economics HL/SL
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences
Biology HL/SL
Physics HL/SL
Chemistry HL/SL
Group 5 - Mathematics
Mathematics HL
Mathematics SL
Mathematical Studies SL
Group 6 - Arts and Electives
Visual Arts HL/SL
Music HL/SL
French B HL/SL
Spanish B HL/SL
Native Language (self-taught)
Other options from groups 1-4
This last group varies from year to year depending on the requests of the students. We attempt, as far as possible, to be flexible in order to meet the demands and needs of our student body.
The faculty who teach these courses are all experienced professionals who are constantly working so that each student fulfils his or her potential.
In addition to the academic subjects, students must meet three other diploma requirements including: Creativity Action and Service (CAS), Theory of Knowledge (ToK) and the Extended Essay. CAS allows the student to take part in and contribute to activities outside of the academic field. They must complete a total of 150 hours of CAS overseen by a CAS coordinator who advises students on their activities and ensures that the CAS requirements are being met. ToK is a course which explores knowledge and encourages students to think and explore the facets of the world around us and consider how thinking can be a culturally determined phenomenon.
The Extended Essay is a 4000 word piece of independent research which each diploma student must undertake. The students choose their own topic to research. They are encouraged to work on a topic which genuinely interests them, and they are assisted and advised by supervisors (teachers within the school).
Each student must not only gain a pass (a grade of 4 or above) in each of their academic subjects, but also successfully complete the three additional core components outlined above in order to be rewarded the IB Diploma.
As you can imagine, the IB Diploma may seem a daunting undertaking to a seventeen year-old. However, at BBIS we have seen, year after year, that with our collective experience, our commitment to our students, and the organizational structures we have in place, our students successfully complete the Diploma Programme with a pass rate above the world average. Our support does not stop there: advice and guidance on issues relating to the world of work and the requirements for universities is provided by our career and college counsellor. The vast majority of our graduates take up university courses in various institutions around the world.
The warm welcoming atmosphere and genuine relationships which are the hallmark of BBIS leads many of our graduates to return and say hello, catch up on the news and to renew old friendships. We are always happy to hear from and reconnect with them.
