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.
The IB believes in an inclusive approach to education designed to remove or reduce barriers so that every student can fully participate in IB programs.
It is our district guidance that all IB programs are open and accessible to all students, including MLL students, and students on an IEP. The IB trajectory should prepare students to ultimately access the Diploma Programme and other career and college opportunities. All students in the Diploma Programme should have the opportunity to access and pass IB exams to ensure post-secondary credit in their Junior year. It is the legal and moral obligation of the school to offer other post-secondary programming in the 9th and 10th grade year (Concurrent Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses.)
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
Middle Schools
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.
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