What is an International Baccalaureate program?

Question

Can someone explain this in layman's terms? My kids are elementary age, oldest is age seven, so I'm wondering specifically for this age group, how would IB classes be different than other classes for kids in their age group? Thanks

Answer 1

The International Baccalaureate program is pretty much like and advanced type of school that offers harder classes, I suppose.

This is what I read from the I. B. website:

-The Primary Years Programme (PYP) for pupils aged 3 to 12 focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside.

I do not really understand what the difference really is from that type of a program, for it may be more challenging, so I suggest you take a look at this site:

http://www.ibo.org

Good luck!

Answer 2

Think of the IB versus say the AP program as the difference between ordering a set menu (if taking a full IB program) instead of ala-carte ordering (taking a variety of AP classes).

If you begin the IB early then you find the EYP (Early Years Program) and then MYP (Middle Years) and later in high school you would have the chance to be a full IB diploma candidate. IB is an excellent program. Rigorous, often involving more thinking and writing than other programs. You will find internal assessments (papers/projects) are often components in high school classes and the high school classes culminate with exams (often over two days; i.e. "paper 1" and "paper 2") and if full IB there is an external essay that requires a good deal of research and students meet deadlines along the way to help them complete the essay by the due date. As the other person wrote, check out the IB website for more information or talk with the IB coordinator at your school.