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IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

Our four-year high school is divided into two distinct phases, each with a duration of two years. In Grades 10 and 11, students work towards completion of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years programme (MYP).

Most of our students aim for the full IB Diploma, which is recognised by universities all over the world. The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of study. It is a broad-based two-year course that aims to encourage students to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and the attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view.

Diploma Programme
High School

Our four-year high school is divided into two distinct phases, each with a duration of two years. In Grades 10 and 11, students work towards completion of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years programme (MYP).

Most of our students aim for the full IB Diploma, which is recognised by universities all over the world. The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of study. It is a broad-based two-year course that aims to encourage students to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and the attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view.

IB'S MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME

During the first two years, students complete the final years of the IB’s Middle Years Programme (MYP), with the key difference that subject specialisation takes place in some of the eight subject groups, allowing the biennial to be both the culmination of the MYP as well as preparation for the IB Diploma Programme

IB'S DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

In the second two years of high school, our schools offer the International Baccalaureate’s rigorous two-year Diploma Programme (IBDP) for 16-19 year olds, which is widely considered to be the leading pre-university qualification in the world. We have offered the IB Diploma programme since 1987 and are proud of both our long-standing relationship with the IB as well as our track record of academic success.

High School

OUR TRACK RECORD OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

One in three students attaining 38 points or more (often considered as the benchmark for admission to the top rung of the world’s leading universities).

These results are particularly impressive when one considers that ISE’s approach to admissions is not purely based on prior academic merit. We believe that as many young people as possible should have access to this wonderful programme of study and hence our policy is that, if we believe an applicant can have an enriching experience during their time with us and that they can leave with an IB Diploma in their hand to open doors with, then we will offer a place.

Whilst preparing students exceptionally well for academic success in each of their chosen subject disciplines, thanks to a team of highly qualified teachers - many of whom are IB examiners and trainers - we endeavour to ensure that the underlying philosophy of the IB is at the forefront of the student experience during their Diploma Programme studies. To this end, the school is often commended as such when the IB conducts its evaluations of us.

The Programme Model

The programme is presented as six academic areas enclosing a central core. It encourages the concurrent study of a broad range of academic areas. 

  • two modern languages 
  • a humanities or social science subject
  • an experimental science
  • mathematics
  • one of the creative arts or an additional subject from one of the aforementioned groups.

It is this comprehensive range of subjects that makes the Diploma Programme a demanding course of study designed to prepare students effectively for university entrance and, above all, success in life beyond. In each of the academic areas students have flexibility in making their choices, which means they can choose subjects that particularly interest them and that they may wish to study further at university. Three subjects (and not more than four) are taken at higher level (HL), and the others are taken at standard level (SL). Subjects at HL are studied in greater depth and breadth than at SL. At both levels, many skills are developed, especially those of critical thinking and analysis. At the end of the course, students’ abilities are measured by means of external and internationally standardised assessment. All subjects contain some element of coursework assessed internally by teachers.

The Core

All Diploma Programme students actively participate in the three components that make up the core of the “hexagon”. Reflection on all these activities is a principle that lies at the heart of the thinking behind the Diploma Programme.

The theory of knowledge course encourages students to think about the nature of knowledge, to reflect on the process of learning in all the subjects they study as part of their Diploma Programme, and to make connections across the academic areas. The extended essay, a substantial piece of writing of 4,000 words, enables students to investigate a topic of special interest that they have chosen themselves. It also encourages them to develop the skills of independent research that will be expected at university. Creativity, activity, service involves students in experiential learning through a range of artistic, sporting, physical and service activities.

Subjects Offered

We offer a wide range of subjects to cater for all needs and we are sure that whichever school you visit there will be a range of options to set your child up to fulfill their future tertiary education and career pathways.