Diploma Program

A group of students in front of a world map

What is the IB Diploma Program?  

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced two-year program available to 11th/12th grade students. 

IB programs have been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students. The program has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.

The Diploma Program prepares students for effective participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society as they:

  • develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
  • acquire breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, studying courses from six subject groups
  • develop the skills and a positive attitude towards learning that will prepare them for higher education
  • study at least two languages (English plus Spanish, French, or Chinese) and increase understanding of diverse cultures, including their own
  • make connections across traditional academic disciplines and explore the nature of knowledge through the program’s unique theory of knowledge course
  • undertake in-depth research into an area of interest through the lens of one or more academic disciplines in the extended essay
  • enhance their personal and interpersonal development through creativity, action and service.
 

IB Quick Links

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IB Diploma Program Curriculum

The curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. Made up of the three required components, the DP core  aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

  • An Extended Essay (EE) research project on a topic they are curious about. 
  • The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Course
  • Creativity, Activity, & Service (CAS), reflecting on additional things many students may already be doing beyond their coursework. 

The six subject groups are:

  • Studies in language and literature
  • Language acquisition
  • Individuals and societies
  • Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • The arts (or students can study an extra subject above) 

Sample Diploma Program Pathways

Benefits of the IB Diploma Program

 Foss students can take college-level IB courses, and they have an opportunity to earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma in addition to their regular high school diploma. Colleges and scholarship programs look favorably at IB Diploma Candidates. 

In addition to the college preparation and potential credits students can earn for IB courses, successful completion of the IB Diploma core can provide deeper understanding and potentially more credits; for example, in addition to the credits earned for each course UW has awarded IB DP Candidates 5 additional credits for successful completion of the IB Diploma and CWU awards an additional 15 credits.