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DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (DP)

IBDP stands for International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a program of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). IBO Is a non-profit organization set up in 1963 with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and its examinations office in Cardiff, Wales. In addition, there are regional offices and representatives around the world. For more information on IBO including each and all of its IB programmes and services, you may go to its public website at http://www.ibo.org. No password necessary.

At MGIS, we have chosen to offer the IB Diploma Programme because the model offers balance and flexibility. The students can look forward to a dynamic and demanding experience. As a proactive curriculum, the IB goes further than many curriculum models by engaging all students in personal challenge and non-academic spheres. The programme has the strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum, but with three important additional features, shown at the centre of the hexagonal curriculum model:

For the IB Diploma Programme courses (subjects) offered for SY 2009-2011, please refer to the document entitled MGIS IBDP Programme of Study. You may also find the same with the document entitled MGIS Diploma Programme Handbook for Students and Parents (SY 2009-2011).

Indeed, the IB Diploma Programme or IBDP is a demanding pre-university programme intended for students in Grades 11 and 12 that leads to an externally-moderated assessment, for parity, toward the end of the programme. IB Diploma or IB certificates per subject is handed out to students who satisfactorily completed the programme and the same is accepted and recognized in almost all universities and colleges around the world as pre-university credentials.

IBDP is designed for highly motivated students aged 16-19. The programme has earned a reputation for its rigorous assessment, giving IB Diploma holders access to the world’s leading colleges and universities. For over 40 years now, IB has proven that its IB Diploma holders are well prepared for university work. In 2008 alone, IB assessed more than 100,000 students and more than 125,000 students are expected to be assessed in 2009.

The grading system of the IBDP is criterion based where each student’s performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievements consistent from one examination to the next. Grades reflect attainment of knowledge and skills relatives to set standards that are applied equally to all IB schools worldwide. Top grades are not, for example, awarded to a certain percentage of students only. For more details on assessment, please refer to the document entitled MGIS Assessment and Reporting Guidelines.

The programme has a comprehensive two-year international curriculum that generally allows its students to fulfill the requirements of their country’s national education system(s). It incorporates the best elements of any country’s national education system in the region, without being based on any one. Internationally mobile students are able to transfer from one IB school to another, while students who remain closer to home benefit from a highly respected international curriculum.

The programme was born of efforts to establish a common curriculum and valid university entry credentials for students moving from one country to another. International educators were motivated by practical considerations but also by an idealistic vision where students should share an academic experience that would emphasize critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and exposure to a variety of points of view. The IBDP is recognized by more than 3,700 colleges and universities worldwide.

The programme equips students with content knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment. The programme has the strengths of a traditional liberal arts curriculum, but with three important additional features, shown at the center of the hexagonal curriculum model – the Creativity Action Service (CAS), the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and the Extended Essay (EE).Subjects are studied concurrently and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning-humanities and the sciences.

The IB Diploma program is taught in English, Spanish, and French worldwide. At MGIS, the program is offered in English. Other languages are also offered to support the Mother Tongue of the students and English as additional language is also offered as a program within the IB program at MGIS.

The general objectives of the IB Diploma Programme are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographical and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding through shared academic experience. There are currently more than 2,639 IB World schools, both private and state-funded with 1,857 Diploma Programme schools in more than 132 countries as of January 2009.

BENEFITS OF THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME:

Universities and colleges around the world recognize the outstanding qualities of IB Diploma students because in general, IB diploma holders:

are ready to debate real-world issues from an international perspective;
are willing to provide leadership and support in the local and global community;
are able to demonstrate a capacity for in-depth study while maintaining a broad perspective of the different subject areas;
are able to ask challenging questions;
are able to research a topic and express their opinions;
have a strong sense of their own culture and identity;
have the ability to communicate in two or more languages;
have clear perspectives of varying issues in the world;
have the unique learning opportunities through Theory of knowledge or TOK. TOK is an internally and externally assessed interdisciplinary component that explores the different concepts of knowledge found in the subject areas. Because the Diploma students study six (6) subjects simultaneously where TOK teachers can, for example, ask their students to compare a historian’s approach to problem-solving with that of a scientist’s approach or an artist’s approach;
have written an Extended essay or EE. EE is an externally assessed independent research assignment of 4,000 words on a specific topic chosen from a list prescribed by IB. The topic chosen need not be from the six subjects being studied;
have satisfactorily completed the requirements for Creativity, Action and Service or CAS. CAS stands for Creativity, Action, and Service. It aims to develop the whole individual with involvement in creative, physical and service activities within the local community. It also requires the students to gain real-life experiences beyond the classroom and through the broad spectrum of subjects, attitudes, and skills of a successful IB candidate.

To be successful, IB Diploma and IB Certificate students should strive to display the following attributes:

an eagerness to learn;
a competent and efficient time management and study skills (i.e. use of agenda or homework diary, prompt/timely submission of work, good use of non-scheduled periods, avoid procrastination);
excellent note-taking skills and organization;
good preparation for every lessons;
the ability to work well with others;
a balance between academic and social activities;
a willingness to take the initiative in seeking for help where necessary;
a consistent commitment to two years of study.

Over ninety percent (90%) of May IBAP (International Baccalaureate Asia Pacific) Diploma Programme graduates move overseas for University study.

University Recognition of the IBDP:

The IB Diploma is a passport to higher education. Most universities and colleges recommend that students in high school enroll in a rigorous academic program, such as the IB Diploma. Some colleges and universities may offer advanced credit to students with strong examination results. IB students routinely gain admission to some of the best known universities in the world. Most of these institutions have established recognition policies for the IB Diploma.

IBO publishes and maintains information about university recognition displayed on their public website;

www.ibo.org; select from the country information pages and on the searchable University recognition directory.

Information concerning national and ‘University Recognition’ policies may be obtained through the school’s IB Diploma Programme Coordinator or the school’s Guidance and University Placement Counselor.

IB Accreditation:

The Mahatma Gandhi International School was officially authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme in April 30, 2009 by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) through a letter signed by Mr. Jeffrey Beard, Director General – Geneva, IBO. You may also refer to the official website of the IBO at http://www.ibo.org for the list of schools authorized to offer the program or go straight to http://www.ibo.org/school/002639/.

University Entrance:

The result of the International Baccalaureate examinations are accepted and honored around the world as a qualification for university entrance. Since 1969, IB students have entered over 3,000 colleges and universities in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and the list of institutions accepting IB students, which includes the most prestigious institutions throughout the world, is growing every year.

All Grades 11 and 12 courses at the Mahatma Gandhi International School are IB courses. However, for SY 2009-2010, only Grade 11 or DP1 students are accepted in the programme. Beginning next school year 2010-2011, MGIS will offer the entire 2-year programme even for transferee students from other IB World Schools.

Admission Application

Mahatma Gandhi International School admits students of all nationalities. The application form can be downloaded from the school website or can be obtained on request from the admissions office.
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Admission Application

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