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International Baccalaureate Program

With a distinctive and innovative approach, learning goes well beyond the classroom in the IB program.

International Baccalaureate programs (IB) at DPS offer a more comprehensive approach to advanced education. IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes (DP) provide a challenging curriculum that is consistent and highly regarded around the world. IB schools focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while supporting students in fully exploring their home culture and language. IB instruction helps develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills that prepare students for success in a rapidly globalizing world.

Students who take IB courses and exams in high school stand out in the college admissions process and have the opportunity to earn credits or advanced standing at most colleges and universities in the U.S. By engaging in these courses, students demonstrate maturity, college readiness and emphasize their commitment to academic excellence. Schools must go through a rigorous process to become an authorized IB World School. Upon graduation, all DPS students will receive a college credit report card that can be used to support their transfer of credits to higher education institutions.

The following DPS schools offer IB:

Elementary Schools

Bradley International School
Brown International Academy
Sabin World Elementary
International Academy of Denver at Harrington
Swigert International School

Middle Schools

Bear Valley Middle School
Hamilton Middle School

High Schools

George Washington High School
John F. Kennedy High School
Northfield High School

Benefits of International Baccalaureate

The unique approach culminates to an environment where students are genuinely engaged and benefit from being a part of an unparalleled global network. 

Benefits for students include:

  • An opportunity to develop skills in another language, with exposure to other cultures to become more culturally aware.
  • Ability to participate in international conferences in the IB community. 
  • An invitation to join IB’s global alumni network, which connects them with other IB graduates.
West Early College students work on laptop computers

Colleges are going to look at me differently. When I started as a freshman, I didn’t even know what the IB Program could offer. But then I started doing some research, and I found out that it can really make a difference once I graduate. I know it’s going to be a challenge. But I’m not nervous, because IB has prepared me for that.”

Hinzan Diarrassouba
Sophomore at Northfield

Northfield High School achieves International Baccalaureate World School status

Students will be able to take a full range of IB courses at NHS as the first cohort commences studies in the 2017-18 school year.

Read about Northfield's designation as an International Baccalaureate »