TheInternational SchoolofBrussels
ISB PathwaysStorybook
Introduction
TheHighSchooliswherelearningculminatesatISB,andthe timewhenourstudentsusetheirknowledge,skills,and experiencesgainedsofartoshapetheirpathsintowhatthey envisionfortheirfuture.Tosupporteachlearnerontheirjourney, our High School offers multiple pathways to success, empoweringstudentswithasenseofindependence,personal choice,andthefreedomtoflourishbothinsideandoutsidethe classroom.
AllstudentswhomeetthecreditrequirementsatISBwill graduatewithaUSHighSchoolDiploma.InadditiontotheirHigh SchoolDiploma,studentsmayseekexternalcertificationsto enablethemtoaccessthepost-secondaryeducationoftheir choice.AmongstthesequalificationsareAdvancedPlacement (AP)andBTECCourses,andtheInternationalBaccalaureate(IB) DiplomaProgramme.
ThisdocumentaimstoprovidekeyfactsaboutthesethreeHigh SchoolGraduationPathways,toinformstudentsandparents aboutthebenefitsofeachprogrammeandtohelpinformtheir decisionmaking.Weknowthatchoosingwhatprogrammeto studyisanimportantanddifficultchoicethatoftengoes beyondkeyfactsandstatistics.Thus,tooffersomeinsightinto whatstudentscanexpectwhenfollowingthesepathways,we interviewedstudentsandfacultyabouttheirexperiences, expectations,andpost-graduationplans,inthehopethatwe canpaintapictureofwhatfollowingtheAP,BTEC,andIB PathwaysfeellikeatISB.
WewishourHighSchoolstudentsbestofluckintheirstudies!
ISBGraduation Pathways
TheAPJourneyatISB
Academic Performance Ouraveragescoreof4showcases thehighacademicachievementof ourstudents.
Rigour
APcoursesarecollege-levelcourses,preparing studentsforuniversityandbeyond.University creditisoftenawardedbyAmericanuniversities.
Flexibility
Inclusion
ISBoffers11taughtAPcoursesforstudents tochoosefrom,andthepossibilityfor studentstoself-studytheirpassions.
TheCollegeBoard'scommitmenttoequity, togetherwithourinclusivepractices,ensure thatstudentstakingAPexamsreceivethe accommodationstheyareeligiblefor.
One-yearcourses
Schedulingopportunitiesforstudentstosimultaneously pursuemultiplepassions
AccessibletostudentsinGrades9-12
InTheirOwnWords: APStudentStories
“SelectingtheAPPathwayensured thatmyschedulewasrigorous,yet motivating.Theblendofcourses ultimatelyallowedmetosucceed inallofmycoursesasIcouldtake information from one style of learningandapplyittoothers.”
“OnebenefitoftheAPPathwayis thatthecoursesareayearlong. This gives my schedule more flexibilitytofollowmypassions likebandandrunning.”
“APcoursesshowuniversities thatyouaretryingtochallenge yourself, and help you as a candidate in the selection process.”
LincolnOlthof Grade11
ValentinaAccorsi Classof2025
ValentinaAccorsi Grade12
SantiagoLarez Grade11
ValentinaAccorsi Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisValentina,andmyfamilyisfromArgentina/Italy,butI previouslylivedintheUnitedStatesfor14yearsIhavebeen competitivelyswimmingfor10yearsandmyexperiencesin swimmingmademepassionateaboutwantingtobecomeasports psychologistforyoungathletesIlovetotravel,hangoutwithfriends, andread(Ihaveaverytorn-upKindlethatIcarryeverywhere)
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheAPPathwayandhowdoesthisalignwithyour personalgoals?
WhatmotivatedmetofollowtheAPPathwaywasultimatelymyexperiencesandunderstandingof theAmericansystem.GrowingupintheUnitedStates,Iamaccustomedtothefast-pacedlearning styleoftheAPAdditionally,asIwasinterestedinmergingthehumanitiesofboththeIBandAP curriculum,selectingtheAPPathwayensuredthatmyschedulewasrigorous,yetmotivatingThe blendofcoursesultimatelyallowedmetosucceedinallofmycourses,asIcouldtakeinformation fromonestyleoflearningandapplyittoothers.Forexample,fromtheIBIchosetotakePsychology andSportsScience,butbytakingAPStatistics,theanalyticalportionsofthosecoursesbecame easierforme
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
ISBsupportedmeandmyprogressonthispathwayinsomanywaysBynotlimitingmypath,Ihave beenabletoapplytomanyuniversitieswiththeserequirements,allowingmetobuildmypathway andrigouraccordingly.Forcertainuniversities,ifchangeshadtobemade,mycounsellorwasvery openabouttheopportunitiesavailabletome,allowingmetogatherthecreditsnecessarytoapply tomydreamschoolsIcanconfidentlysaythatteachersandcounsellorsareextremelysupportive ofmypathway,despiteitnotbeingconventional,anddedicatethenecessarytimetoensurethatI succeed.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Thispathwayis,inmyopinion,themostpersonalisableEspeciallyformydreamcareer(asitisnota commoninterestofmany),theabilitytomixalloftheotherpathwayshasbeenextremelybeneficial. Icantakethecoursesthatapplytomyinterestsfreely,whilealsobeingexposedtotheEuropean styleofteaching(IB)aswellastheAmerican(AP),expandingmyknowledgeandstyleoflearningfor universityEvenifformyIBsIwillnotbeabletotakethefinalexams,IcantaketheAPequivalenttest withouthavingtotaketheclassandgetthecreditinthatmanner.Iamalsoexposedtomanyofthe benefitsfromeachpathway,allowingmetodecidewhichaspectsoftheotherpathwaysIwantto integrateintomineThiscouldstemfromchoosingtowriteanExtendedEssay,theIAs,takingthe finalexams,aswellasbalancingthe2-yearIBcourseswith1-yearAPsUltimately,thefreedomyou acquirewhendoingamixedcurriculumopensdoorsformoreunconventionalcareers,allowingyou tocreateyourpathbasedonyourinterests
SantiagoLarez Grade11
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisSantiagoandIhavelivedinquiteafewplacesincluding Chile,Qatar,Israel,andmovedtoBelgiumatthestartoftheschoo yearIreallyamintomathsandscience,butdoingthemalldayis tiringmentally,andIhaveotherthingsthatIreallystartedtoenjoy startingGrade8Iruncrosscountryandtrack,alongwithplaying trumpetandchessinmyfreetime
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheAPPathwayandhow personalgoals?
IhavedonetheAPPathwaybeforehandsoIknewwhattoexpect.One ayearlongThisgivesmyschedulemoreflexibilitytofollowmypas alsoisagoodpathwayforAmericancolleges,whicharetheonesImo yp ppyg
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
IhavebeenatISBforashortwhile,butIhavebeenabletousetheflextimeinbetweenclassesto keepupcontactwithmyteachersISBhasalsobeengoodwiththeschedulingofmyexamsand makingsureanyconflictingexamsareresolvedandamendedschedulesareprovidedquickly.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Inotherpathways,liketheIB,peoplehavetofulfilmanymoregeneralrequirementsanddon’tget thelibertytochoosetofocusonacertainsubjectTakeforexamplescience–Ihaveapassionforit andhavealwayssaidconfidentlythatitwasmyfavouritesubject.IntheIB,onecanusuallyonly taketwoscienceclassesmaximumoverthecourseoftwoyears,whichlimitsthedifferenttypesone cantestandtryoutIpersonallydon’thavespecificfavouritesinscienceandwanttotryallofthem out,sobeingunabletodobiology,chemistry,orphysicswouldweighheavilyonmymind
TheInternational SchoolofBrussels
LincolnOlthof Grade11
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisLincolnOlthofIlivedintheUnitedStatesmywholelife untilImovedtoBrusselsbetweenGrades9and10Ienjoyplaying tennis,volleyball,andskiing.Iamalsothepresidentandfounderof theISBHighSchoolChessClubDuringCovid-19Ilearnedhowto makesourdoughbreadandenjoybakingAlso,Ienjoyvisiting differentEuropeancountriesandlearningaboutthem
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheAPPathwayandhowdoesthisalignwithyour personalgoals?
TherewereafewmainreasonswhyIdecidedtofollowtheAPPathway.Thefirstwasthatduetothe mathsystemintheUnitedStates,IfoundmyselfnotchallengedinGrade10MathExtended. Therefore,afteradiscussionwithmycounsellorandmathteacher,IdecidedthattakingMath AnalysisHigherLevelinGrade10wasthebestoptionformeThismadeitsothatIwouldn’tbeableto dotheIBDiploma.Also,IwasfamiliarwiththeAPsystembecauseAPclassesweretheonlywayto takemoredifficultclassesatmyoldschool.Duetothisfamiliarity,IwasmoreinclinedtotaketheAP Pathway,sinceIknewwhattoexpectLastly,Iamaimingtoapplytomanyextremelyprestigiousand selectiveuniversities,andAPcourseshelpshowuniversitiesthatyouaretryingtochallengeyourself, andhelpyouasacandidateintheselectionprocess,ifyoudowellinthecourses.
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
Sofar,ISBhasbeengreatinincreasingthenumberofAPcoursesavailableJustthisyear,they introducedAPChemistry,whichIamtaking,andIknowinthepastfewyearstherehasbeena massivedevelopmentintheAPcoursesoffered,withplanstofurtherexpandthenumberofcourses offeredincomingyears.Thesecourseshaveallowedmetohavegreaterflexibility,especiallysinceI wasnotabletodotheIBDiploma
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Thispathwayhasallowedmetofurtherchallengemyselfbyofferingagreaterselectionofcourses formetochoosefromEvenifIhaddonetheIBDiploma,Iwouldhavestillbeenabletochallenge myselfinGrade10,mostlikelyhelpingwithbackgroundknowledgeforthoseIBcourses.APcourses alsoallowedmetofocusmoreonthesubjectsthatIenjoy,comparedtotheIBDiploma,which requirespeopletotakeawidevarietyofcourses
TheInternational SchoolofBrussels
TheBTECJourneyatISB
Passion Driven
Authentic Assessment
Flexibility
Career Focused
BTECprovidesopportunitiesfofollowone’s passionsandforourathletesandartiststo flourish.
Assessmentsallowsstudentstodemonstrate theirskillsthroughprojects(insteadofexams). OurBTECstudentshavea100%passrate.
Flexiblecourseoptionsallowfordifferent externalqualificationsacross2different sectorsand5differentcoursestrands.
Future-focusedcoursesallowstudentsto gainpracticalexperienceanddevelop professionalskills.
BTECoffersaprogressiveframeworkof vocationalandskill-basedcourses
ISBoffersanumberofBTECInternationalLevel3 QualificationsinArt&DesignandSport
Coursesemphasisereal-worldapplicationsthrough practicallearning
InTheirOwnWords: BTECStories
“TheBTECArt&Designprogramme is one of the most advanced diplomasinVisualArtsavailableat the school level. This holistic programmeequipsstudentswitha widerangeofskillstailoredfor careers in the Art & Design industry.”
LinePardoKelm
BTECArt&DesignTeacher
“IfoundBTECExtendedtobethe perfectcourseformetopursuemy personalgoalsandinterestsasan artist. Not only is BTEC well recognised,butitalsohasacareer focusedprogramme,helpingme developmyartisticskills.”
AntoineAlmada-Midy Grade12
“BTECSportalignswithmygoalsas anathleteandassomeonewhois generallyathleticallyminded.Even ifIdon’tmakeitasaprofessional,I stillwanttohelpothersenjoysports asIdo,andthecontentoftheBTEC programmeishighlyrelevantto this.”
LukasSinclair Grade11
ValentinaAccorsi Classof2025
LinePardoKelm
BTECArt&DesignTeacher
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourselfand anoverviewofyourroleatISB?
IamaVisualArtistandpart-timeBTECArt&Designteacher atISB,workingwithHighSchoolstudentsinGrades11and12
AfterstudyingFineArtsandPedagogyinGermanyand Chile,Ihavecontinuedtoactivelyworkinthearts, collaboratingwithvariousartists,festivals,andproduction companies,whilealsoteachingatISB.
Mydualrolesallowmetobringtheskillsandinsightsfrom myongoingartisticpracticedirectlyintotheBTECArt& Designclassroom,enrichingthelearningexperienceformy students
WhatcanyoutellusabouttheBTECArtandDesignprogrammeatISB?
TheBTECArt&DesignprogrammeisoneofthemostadvanceddiplomasinVisualArtsavailableat theschoollevelThisholisticprogrammeequipsstudentswithawiderangeofskillstailoredfor careersintheArt&Designindustry.
AtISB,weofferthisproject-basedcurriculumtostudentswhoarepassionateaboutpursuinga futureinthecreativefieldbeitasInteriorDesigners,FashionDesigners,Architects,Sculptors, Animators,GameDesigners,Painters,CreativeDirectors,VisualArtists,andmore
Ourprogrammechallengesstudentstopushtheirartisticboundarieswhiledevelopingjob-ready skills,inaprofessionalenvironment.ThinkofBTECArt&DesignastheVisualArtsequivalentofthe STEMPathwaydesignedtopreparestudentsforbothhighereducationandindustrysuccess
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesstudentstopersonalisetheirlearningjourney?
TheBTECArt&DesignprogrammeatISBisashiningexampleofpersonalisationineducation Whateverartisticfieldastudentispassionateabout,wetailortheirlearningexperiencetoalignwith theiruniquecareeraspirationsandpersonalinterestsAnexampleofthisistheCaféRedesign, enjoyedbyallcommunitymembers.Thispersonalprojectwastheresultofadedicatedgraduate exploringtheirpassionsthroughguidedinstructionandmentorship
Throughpersonalisedguidanceandproject-basedlearning,studentsalsocreateaportfoliothatnot onlyreflectstheirindividuality,butpositionsthemforsuccessinthecreativeindustry
AntoineAlmada-Midy Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
Iaminterestedandmotivatedbythearts.IknowitiswhatIwanttodo, andofcoursethereasonwhyIamtakingBTEC.
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowaBTECqualificationandhow doesthisalignwithyourpersonalgoals?
IfoundBTECExtendedtobetheperfectcourseformetopursuemy personalgoalsandinterestsasanartist.NotonlyisBTECwell recognisedintheUK,butitalsohasacareer-focusedprogramme, helpingmedevelopmyartisticskills,butalsohowIwillmanagemyself andapproachclienteleafterIfinishmystudies.
TheInternational SchoolofBrussels
HowhasISBsupportedyouinworkingtowardsthis qualification?
BysupplyingmewiththesupportandtoolsIneedtostudythearts.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhat waysdoyouthinkthispathwayenablesyouto personaliseyourlearningjourney?
TheBTECExtendedArtPathwaygivesmelatitudeforpersonalisation sinceitspeakstothechoiceofprojectandmedia,whichmaybe changedtofitinwithmyownartisticinterests Independent researchandexplorationofthemesthatmeanmuchtome contributetowardsdevelopingmypersonalstyle One-to-one tutors'commentsassurethatpersonalisedlearningopportunities concentrateontheaspectsIwouldliketoimprove
LukasSinclair Grade11
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatareyourinterestsand passions?
I’vecycledforaslongasIcanremember,butIstartedtoincreasemyleveloftrainingtowardsthe backendoftheCOVID-19pandemicIstartedracingaftertherestrictionswerelifted,andhave racedcompetitivelyfor3years,withnextyearbeingmy4thInOctoberlastyear,IsignedwithGMS Glabbeek,aUCI1.1team,astepupfromtheteamIhadracedwithbefore,andaroundthesame time,Istartedworkingwithmycoach,ZakColeman,whonotonlyisaqualifiedcoach,heisa professionalcyclistinhisownright
CyclingissomethingthatgivesmepurposeandissomethingIthoroughlyenjoydoing.Itis somethingthathasbecomeapartofmyidentity.
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowaBTECqualificationandhowdoesthisalignwith yourpersonalgoals?
BTECSportalignswithmygoalsasanathleteandassomeonewhoisgenerallyathleticallyminded, assportshasplayedalargeroleinmylifeEvenifIdon’tmakeitasaprofessional,Istillwanttohelp othersenjoysportsasIdo,andthecontentoftheBTECprogrammeishighlyrelevanttothis
HowhasISBsupportedyouinworkingtowardsthisqualification?
Ireceivedsupportinhelpingmydecision-makingprocesstotaketheBTECprogrammeThe informationIwasgivenonthedesignoftheprogrammeandtheoutcomesoftheprogrammewas essentialinmydecisiontotaketheBTECpathway.SinceI’vestartedtheprogramme,myteachers havebeensupportiveandalwayswillingtohelpIhavealsofoundthecontentveryinteresting, engaging,andtheclassesaresomethingIlookforwardto,whichhelpskeepmemotivatedwithmy academics
ISB places a strong focus on personalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyou thinkthispathwayenablesyouto personaliseyourlearningjourney?
IhadachoiceofwhatlevelofBTECIwantedto pursueandIcouldaddothersubjectsIseeas importanttomyprogramme.
IchosetotakeDutch,asit’sthelanguagemost ridersinBelgiumandridersinmyteamspeak (withBelgiumbeingthehomeofinternational cycling)
TheInternational SchoolofBrussels
TheIBJourneyatISB
Academic Performance
Course Variety|
OurIBstudentshavea>95%passrate, 5.5averagecoursescore,and34 averageIBDPscore.
With>40IBcoursesatstandardandhigher level,ISBoffersmoreIBDPcoursesthanany otherschoolinBelgium
Bilingual Diplomas|
Inclusion
>50%ofourstudentsreceiveBilingual Diplomas,almostdoubletheglobal percentageofbilingualdiplomasawarded.
ISBisremovingorreducingbarrierssothatevery studentcanfullyparticipatein,anddevelop through,IBprogrammes.>25%studentsbenefit frominclusiveaccessarrangements.
Ourestablishedprogrammehasbeenpreparing studentsforover45years
TheIBDPcurriculumisdesignedforstudentswhowishto maintainabroadbaseofsubjectspecialisms
TheIBDPisassessedexternallybyIBexaminersand moderators
InTheirOwnWords: IBStudentStories
“TheIBDPwasaclearchoiceformedue toitsglobalrecognitionandrigour.I wantedapathwaythatwouldopenthe most doors for me at the postsecondarylevel.Therangeofsubjects andoverallchallengeinterestedme duetothedepthofknowledgeand transferableskillsthatwillhelpmelong afterIgraduate.”
KishanBradley-Gammanpila Grade12
“TheIBpathwayhasallowedme todeepenmyunderstandingof subjectsthatIlove,suchas higherlevelmaths,physics,and chemistry, while maintaining interests in languages and socialsciences.”
TheInternational SchoolofBrussels
NaomiTrevelyan-Shipp Grade12
“Ihaveawiderangeofinterests, andIfeltthattheIBwouldallowme tofollowthemostpathspossible,in HighSchoolandaswellaspost graduation.Thispathwayallowed metotakeavarietyofcoursesthat weremoreorlesstailoredtowhatI wanted.”
AlessaSoairseCandon Grade12
KishanBradley-Gammanpila Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatare yourinterestsandpassions?
MynameisKishanBradley-Gammanpila,I’mhalfBritishhalfSri LankanandImovedtoISBin10thgradeBeforeBelgium,Ilivedin Indiafor9years,andpriortothatBrazilfor6years.Iampassionate aboutmodernhistoryandpolitics,andtherelationshipbetween thetwoOutsideofacademics,sportisreallyimportanttome ThroughoutmytimeatISBIhavecompetedforvariousVarsity sportswhilealsorunningfortheRoyalRacingClubdeBruxelles
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheIBPathwayandhow doesthisalignwithyourpersonalgoals?
TheInternationalBaccalaureateDiplomaProgrammewasaclearchoiceformeduetoitsglobal recognitionandrigourIwantedapathwaythatwouldopenthemostdoorsformeatthepostsecondarylevelFurthermore,myoldersisterdidtheIBandexplainedtomehowitequippedherwith skillsandknowledgetoeasethetransitiontouniversity-levelthinkingandassessment.Therangeof subjectsandoverallchallengeinterestedmeduetothedepthofknowledgeandtransferableskills thatwillhelpmelongafterIgraduate.
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
Myteachers,mycounsellor,andthewiderfacultyatISBhaveallbeenthoroughlysupportive throughouttheIB.ThecounsellingteamhelpedinmycourseselectionprocessfortheIB,putting timeandresourcestowardsmakingthebestdecisionstoexploremyinterests,maximisemy capabilities,andfocusonfuturegoalsTheIBisinherentlydemanding,andattimesoverwhelming, butIhavealwaysfoundmyteacherstobereceptivetomyneedsandtohelpmegetthebestoutof theirclassandtheprogrammeasawholeTeachersareoftenflexible,ensuringIamabletofulfilmy internalandexternalcommitments.Furthermore,theyhaveencouragedmyinterestshelpingmego beyondcurriculumandcontinuetodevelopandlearn
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
OnereasonIliketheIBishowyouareatthehelmofyouracademicjourney,allowingyouto personaliseyourlearningoutsidecurriculaEveryIBclasshascomponentswhereyouareableto learnbeyondprescribedunitsandimmerseyourselfinpersonalinterestswithInternalAssessments (IAs).ApartfromIAsinclasses,theprogrammealsorequiresanExtendedEssayinasubjectofyour choice,andaTheoryofKnowledgeexhibitionandessayThisallowsyoutocustomiseyourstudy withveryfewparametersandrestrictionsbutwithguidanceandresourcesfromtheschool.These opportunitieshaveallowedmetogainfurtherinsightintotopicsofuniquepersonalinterestlike monetaryimperialisminWestandCentralAfrica,theFirstWarofIndianIndependenceof1857, AfricandecolonisationfollowingtheSuezCanalCrisis,andidentitypoliticsintheKhalistanseparatist movement,tonameafew
NaomiTrevelyan-Shipp Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself–whatareyourinterestsand passions?
MynameisNaomi,andIaminmysenioryearatISBIamfromLondonandmovedtoBrusselsin 2020.Iampassionateaboutthesciences,andamapplyingtouniversitiesintheUKtostudy chemicalengineering.IamfollowingtheIBDiplomaProgrammeandwillgraduateinMay2025.I amalsoanathlete,andplayfootballandswimwiththeschool’sAthleticsProgramme.
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheIBPathwayandhowdoesthisalignwithyour personalgoals?
TheIBPathwayhasallowedmetodeepenmyunderstandingofsubjectsthatIlove,suchashigher levelmaths,physics,andchemistry,whilemaintaininginterestsinlanguagesandsocialsciences StudyingEnglishliteratureandeconomicsalongsidemyhigherlevelsreallyhelpsmehaveawider perspectiveofhowthesesubjectsareconnected,andIknowthattheywillbeinvaluabletome laterinlife.IalsoreallyenjoytheTheoryofKnowledgecoursethatiscompulsoryasapartoftheIB DiplomaProgramme,asitstimulatesamorephilosophicalpartofmythinking,anddrawsideas anddiscussionsoutofmeandmypeersthatalwaysendupbeingreallyinterestingItismyaimin lifetoremainawell-roundedandinterestingperson,alwayslookingtolearnasmuchaspossiblein diversefields,andIfeelthattheIBhassetmeupforsuccessinthisendeavour!
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
ISBhassupportedmefirstlybyprovidingenormousbreadthintheselectionofavailablecourses, andthroughlotsofsupportfromcounsellorsandteachersinchoosingthepathwaythatwasright formeItwasreallyimportanttotakeintoconsiderationuniversityrequirementsandmyfuture opportunities,whichmycounsellorhelpedmetodo.Theteachinginallmycoursesisexceptional, withteachersconsideringindividualstudents'needsandworkloadswithindifferentpathways.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation. Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthispathway enablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearning journey?
TheIBDiplomaProgramme,whilsthavingsome limitationsonthecombinationofcoursesIcould choose,stillhadsomuchchoiceavailableformeto followanypathwaythatIfeltinterestedmeEvenbeing abletochoosebetweenEnglishliteratureorlanguage, or between maths analysis and applications, is somethingthatmanyotherpathwaysdonotofferIt wasalsoachoicethatIwasabletomakebetween one-yearortwo-yearcourses,whichisanimportant one.
AlessaSoairseCandon Grade12
Couldyouprovideashortbioaboutyourself –whatareyourinterestsandpassions?
IamveryinterestedinClimateChange,directingand theatre,ballroomdancing,rockclimbing,aswellas contemporarypoliticalchallenges
WhatmotivatedyoutofollowtheIBPathway andhowdoesthisalignwithyourpersonal goals?
Ihaveawiderangeofinterests,andIfeltthattheIB wouldallowmetofollowthemostpathspossible,in HighSchoolandaswellaspostgraduation.This pathwayallowedmetotakeavarietyofcoursesthat weremoreorlesstailoredtowhatIwanted.Theoryof Knowledgealignswithmypersonalgoals,asit challengeseverywayofthinking
HowhasISBsupportedyouandyourprogressonthispathway?
TheteachersarewillingtomeetwithmeoutsideofclassifIaskforextrasupportThereishardlyever alackofpracticeworktobedonetoprepareforanexamThetechnologyweuseissomethingI thinkgoesunderappreciated,asitistrulyincrediblyadvancedThelabsatschoolmakecollecting dataforourIA’sreallyaccessible,andthelabtechniciansaresomeofthesweetestpeopleIhave met.Thelibraryisincrediblydiverse,andthelibrariansandITstaffarereadytohelpwithfindingany sourceofinformation,withprinting,orwithanychallengeswithourlaptops.Itmaysoundsmallbutit reallyhasmadeabigdifferenceforme.
ISBplacesastrongfocusonpersonalisation.Inwhatwaysdoyouthinkthis pathwayenablesyoutopersonaliseyourlearningjourney?
Whileyouarerequiredtotake6courses,andacourseineverycategory(science,maths,social science,languageA,languageB),theoptiontotakeanartsoradifferentsubjectofanyofthe aforementionedcategoriesisthrilling.Inmyopinion,itisashamethattakinganartstopicisnot requiredbytheIB,butforthosewhoarepassionateaboutarts,thepossibilitytotakeESS,tocombine therequirementsforscienceandsocialscienceandtohavetwopossibilitiesforarts,isconvenient. ISBofferssuchawiderangeoftheIBsubjects(ImaybewrongbutIthinktheonlytwothatarenot offeredarephilosophyandfilm-making),andalmostanylanguagetheIBofferscanbetaken, allowinginternationalstudentstotrulytakewhichevercoursetheylike
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