EF Academy Parent's Guide: IB Diploma

Parents’ guide

IB Diploma:

Your child’s passport to university

Introduction Dear Parent,

One of the most crucial decisions students face is choosing the right academic program for high school. As a parent, you want your child's high school experience to provide ample opportunities for university and beyond.

However, many programs limit students to a few subjects, restricting access to certain university subjects and careers. This early academic specialization also hinders valuable interdisciplinary connections that foster critical thinking and well-rounded perspectives.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is renowned for its excellence and breadth, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests. IB students are not only challenged academically, but also given the chance to grow personally and ethically. Universities all over the world recognize the readiness of IB students for the challenges that come with university studies. In short, the IB Diploma offers both academic rigor and valuable soft skills.

At EF Academy, we are proud to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and have witnessed countless students achieve remarkable success through this curriculum. Read further in this guide as we will provide further insight into the benefits of this worldrenowned high school program at EF Academy.

What is the IB Diploma?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an internationally-recognized high school program offering students a wellrounded education and turning them into global, critical and creative thinkers. It is a holistic, academically challenging course that prepares students for the responsibilities they will encounter at university and in their careers.

The IB Diploma engages in personal and academic achievement. In addition to studying a range of subjects in depth, importance is given to students’ personal growth as ethicallyand business-minded global citizens. The program encourages students to make meaningful connections across subjects, and to let their individual curiosity guide their academic discovery.

Research into IB Diploma graduates frequently shows that students who complete the program have a higher rate of going to and succeeding at university compared to non-IB graduates. Therefore, the IB Diploma is the most high recognized and respected program by the world’s leading universities.

Amy Park

IB Coordinator

EF Academy New York

Established in 1968 by the IB Organization, the IB Diploma is offered by more than 5,000 schools in over 150 countries – including EF Academy in New York and Oxford. efacademy.org

IB at EF Academy EF Academy opens a world of opportunities for high school students by providing a superior education, thorough preparation for university and a future that knows no borders. Our mission runs parallel to that of the IB and we are proud to offer the IB Diploma at our schools in New York and Oxford. Our global student body enhances the international focus of the IB Diploma. Similarly, our campus environment complements the IB’s mission of learning inside and outside the classroom. Students who earn the IB Diploma at EF Academy Learn to think critically and independentl Build a path that can lead them to top ranked universities around the worl Become more culturally aware, considering both local and global context

The EF Academy Difference: There’s a lot to be gained from the IB Diploma when taught in a truly international environment.

EF Academy students come from over 60 countries. Our students aren’t just taught to be globally minded; they live it every day by interacting with their peers from around the world. Studying the IB Diploma in a diverse high school environment enhances the educational experience and breathes life into the ethos of internationalism that the IB curriculum instills.

Are able to respectfully engage with and understand people in a diverse environmen Are adaptive to change, which is a constant in our world today

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10 reasonselocution to study

the IB Diploma at EF Academy 1 Breadth of study

2 Global pathways

3 Research skills

IB students study courses from six subject groups including languages, humanities, sciences and math.

The IB Diploma is internationally recognized by colleges and universities from nearly 90 countries.

The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge are two elements of the IB Diploma that cultivate inquiry and investigation.

4 Time management

5 Freedom of thought

6 Experiential learning

Time management is a skill picked up instinctively by IB students. They establish good study habits and set aside time for assignments.

IB students are encouraged to find connections between everything they learn and to seek out what interests and inspires them.

IB students participate in CAS – Creativity, Activity, Service activities.

7

8

9

Independent thinking

The challenge

University admissions

IB classrooms promote discussion and two-way communication between teacher and students.

It’s academically rigorous. It’s stimulating, inspiring, and allows students to truly excel and discover what they’re capable of.

A study by the Higher Education Statistics Agency showed that IB Diploma graduates have a better chance of enrolling in the world’s top 1% universities.

10 Personal growth Being exposed to multiple perspectives, learning to articulate your own opinions, balancing academic work with co-curricular activities and learning.

The structure of IB Age: 16-19

Program length: 2 years

Grade levels: Final two years of high school (Grades 11 & 12)

Next step: University

EF Academy locations: New York, Oxford

The curriculum

The IB Diploma curriculum includes six subject groups: languages, literature, social studies, science, mathematics and the arts.

Students choose one course from each group and study three subjects at higher level and three at standard level. This allows students to focus on their strengths or interests while continuing to receive

a comprehensive high school education.

The IB Diploma is for

you if you want to: Take classes from a range of subjects at a rigorous leve Combine in-class lessons with hands-on opportunities outside of clas Explore your subjects through an international len Engage in creative or community service activitie Receive a high school degree that will help your university applications stand out

The additional IB core requirements – the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge course and ‘Creativity, Activity, Service’ (CAS) – challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding beyond the classroom. Hands-on learning is integral to the IB Diploma and gives students an even deeper level of understanding and appreciation for what they are studying.

efacademy.org

elocution

Grading

Assignments and exams are graded from 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest mark. At the program’s end, students receive an overall grade for each subject based on a combination of assessments and final exams. Together, the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge can award a student a maximum of 3 core points, so the highest total points that can be achieved with the IB Diploma is 45. To pass the IB Diploma,4:00 students must receive a 5:00PM minimum of 24 points and meet some additional passing conditions.

IB courses offered at EF Academy:

Studies in Language and Literature:

English A

Chinese A

Spanish A

German A

French A

Italian A

Self-taught Literature

Language Acquisition:

English B

French B

French ab initio

Spanish B

Spanish ab initio

Mandarin ab initio

Individuals and Societies:

Business Management

Economics

History

Global Politics

Sciences:

Biology

Chemistry

Environmental Systems and Societies

Physics

Mathematics:

Mathematics

Mathematics Applications and Interpretation

Mathematics Analysis and Approaches

Art:

IB Film

Music

Visual Arts

Theater

Core requirements:

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS):

A co-curricular program to supplement academic studies.

Extended Essay: A 4,000-word independent research essay. Students focus on a topic of their choice that relates to one of their six subjects.

Theory of Knowledge: A course where students reflect on the nature of learning,

and develop skills to apply knowledge credibly and critically.

Subject offerings subject to change based

on availability and campus e f academy. org

Creativity, Activity,

Service A core component of the IB Diploma, CAS promotes personal and interpersonal development and gives students the chance to pursue passions and new hobbies. Students complete projects in each category through enriching extracurricular activities.

Creativity

There are plenty of opportunities for students to develop their creative thinking. From mastering a challenging piece of music, performing in an after-school play or organizing an art show, students explore original ideas and forms of creative expression.

Activity

Active experiences encourage students to find a healthy balance between mental and physical wellbeing. Achieving this balance through regular exercise and team sports is particularly important as students approach young adulthood.

Service

Service experiences provide opportunities for students to collaborate with their communities.

Fundraising, volunteering and humanitarian trips are examples of how lending time and knowledge can benefit others. efacademy.org

Clubs and activities at EF Academy New York and Oxford

We offer a range of clubs and activities to support our IB students with

CAS – including sports, arts and off-campus excursions.

Clubs:

Sports:

Origami

Soccer

Book

Volleyball

Law

Cross Country

Polyglot

Running

Model United Nations

Cheerleading

Pride

Basketball

Italian Film

Track and Field

Duke of Edinburgh

Tennis

Art Workshop

Golf driving range

Ted-ED Students Talk

Baking

Activities:

Knitting, Crochet & Natter

Blenheim Palace

Yearbook

Harry Potter Studios

Faith Time

City trip to Bath

Rock-Climbing

Paintball

Pride Not Prejudice

Thorpe Park

Academy Rocks

Bristol Graffiti Tour

Analog Photography

Trips to New York City

NBA Fantasy Basketball League

Metropolitan Museum

Biomedical Science

Bear Mountain hiking

Chess

Ski trip to Vermont

Clay Creation

DNA Learning Center

Debate

Plaza Hotel

Drama

Choir/Glee

Literary Magazine

Virtual Art Media

Yoga

Feminist

Dance

... and more!

Comparing programs

The course structures of the IB Diploma is very different from other programs, such as the US High School Diploma with APs and the British A-Levels. US High School Diploma and A-Level students select subjects from a range of year-long courses, while IB students follow a two-year curriculum in six subjects. The length of the curriculum gives IB students time to develop richer knowledge of subjects by going deeper into course content. US High School Diploma and A-Level courses are

Tianchen ‘Jerry’ Xia

IB Diploma graduate

assessed by final exams, while the IB Diploma takes into account various assessments

EF Academy New York

Class of 2017

throughout the two years, as well as final exams.

Unlike the other two programs, the IB Diploma is recognized in the US and globally, and has a strong reputation among prestigious universities.

The IB Diploma challenges students to grow outside of the classroom and prepares them for the challenging, competitive environment they’ll find at university. At EF Academy, we offer IB, A-Levels, and the US High School Diploma with AP.

e f a c a d e my. o r g

The passport to university Studies commissioned by the IB Organization and independent educational institutions often point to these common findings:

• IB students go to university at higher rates than their counterparts

• IB students attend more selective universities than their counterparts

• IB students perform better at university than their counterparts

The IB Diploma’s reputation as a superior high school program is acknowledged by many world-leading universities. Recognized in nearly 90 countries, no other program is as widely accepted. Its strong standing has led to it being dubbed ‘the passport to university.’

6 qualities IB students graduate with Motivation

The IB classroom isn’t confined to four walls. The CAS module allows students to pursue their interests and learn experientially through projects, volunteering and co-curricular activities.

Adaptability

The Extended Essay component of the IB requires students to choose a topic, learn how to conduct in- depth research, find new sources of information and complete an entirely original piece of research.

Cultural awareness

The core ethos of the IB curriculum is to prepare students to be open-minded and culturally aware global citizens.

Responsibility

In CAS, the Service component asks students to consider their role within society and work in their community to enact change.

Confidence

IB students are used to voicing their opinions and presenting their ideas.

Independence

The IB Diploma teaches students to study independently – a key skill for success.

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Why top universities

prefer IB graduates Did you know that IB graduates are 21.4% more likely to be admitted into the top 10 universities in the US? That includes Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Stanford. There’s clearly a reason, so why are IB students such a good fit for universities?

University preparation

Universities in the US require applicants to prove they’ve mastered independent study, time management, critical thinking and research skills. In high school programs where learning is entirely teacher-led, students aren’t self-motivated and can struggle to gain acceptance into top universities.

A study at the University of Virginia found that the IB Extended Essay helped students prepare for undergraduate research, and that good grades correlated with good undergraduate research projects.

Universities in the US know that IB students are likely to excel at university because they’re already equipped with the skills they need

to succeed.

The IB diploma is for

you if you want to Take classes from a range of subjects at a rigorous leve Combine in-class lessons with hands-on opportunities outside of clas Explore your subjects through an international len Engage in creative or community service activitie Receive a high school degree that will help your university applications stand out

efacademy.org

Flexibility and choice

Universities in the US and globally, have a strong focus on flexibility and choice. Students are encouraged to try a range of subjects and have a wide field of interest. IB students have a similar experience already in high school, studying six subjects and tailoring their schedules to suit their ambitions. There is flexibility to try out various courses before deciding which is right for them. They’re also able to complement their classroom learning with personal projects, community work, clubs, sports and more.

As a result, IB students become undergraduates who know how to explore and hone their interests.

Global pathways

Universities are international communities. They’re committed to educating the youth of today to solve the global challenges of tomorrow.

They encourage students to learn from one another and to reflect on globally significant issues across the curriculum. The key aim of the IB Diploma is for students to develop an international mindset that will enable them to build a better future. IB students learn to see the world from different cultural perspectives and study languages that allow them to communicate with peers from different backgrounds. As an internationally recognized qualification, the IB also prepares them for a career anywhere in the world. IB students are true global citizens. Perhaps more so than any other reason, it’s this that makes IB students so appealing to universities.

efacademy.org

Choosing the right IB school It can be hard to judge a school from the outside. Here are a few indicators 20th with January to help you choose a school that delivers an IB Diploma teaching excellence and expertise.

4:00 - 5:00PM Strong IB Diploma results

Diverse student community

How have the school’s IB students performed in recent years? Strong IB scores usually point to schools

with the most resources, additional support and experience teaching the curriculum successfully.

Many schools today offer the IB Diploma but few have the international student body to match. Choosing a school with a diverse community will help your child put what they learn in class into practice with their friends from around the world.

IB-oriented mission

Talk to them

A school whose mission aligns with the IB’s aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship will often go above and beyond to bring the spirit of the program into all of its activities. In doing so, they embrace the IB not only as a curriculum but as a way of life.

IB schools are used to meeting with first-time IB parents. At EF Academy, our Enrollment Advisors around the world support our international applicants by providing them with the information and guidance they need to make an informed application decision.

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Learn more about the

IB Diploma Programme at

EF Academy Talk to our Enrollment Advisors Download our brochure