What Is an IB World School?
An IB World School is a school authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate. We explain what it is, what it offers students and what sets it apart.
An IB World School is a school authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate program. The core aim of the IB is to raise sensitive, knowledgeable young people with a leadership spirit who, by embracing a culture of intercultural respect and coexistence, can lead change toward a more liveable world. Today this program reaches more than 1.4 million students in over 5,300 schools across 158 countries.
What It Offers Students
IB World Schools offer children a balanced and comprehensive curriculum. This curriculum builds skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication and independent learning. It also gives students the chance to develop complex thinking skills along with an ethical and intercultural understanding. The ability to think from a broad perspective helps children understand different cultures and points of view around the world, and develop a sense of social responsibility and a desire to serve.
Why Do Parents Choose It?
Reasons for Choosing
Balanced education
A broad foundation in mathematics, language, art and social sciences.
Critical thinking
Encourages critical thinking and problem solving.
Global perspective
Intercultural understanding and world citizenship.
University preparation
The IB diploma is recognised and respected worldwide.
In addition, IB programs develop independent learning and research skills, and instil a sense of service to the community by giving students moral and ethical values.
The most important feature that sets the IB apart is that, rather than teaching a piece of information, it "teaches how to learn" and instils a way of thinking.
How It Differs from Other Programs
The IB aims to build skills such as critical, creative and ethical thinking; research and analysis; written and oral communication; time management and self-discipline; and forming healthy social relationships. Not being exam-focused, the program equips the student with qualities they will benefit from throughout life. For this reason, the teachers who deliver the program also go through comprehensive training covering the IB philosophy, teaching methods and stages of implementation; they build an active learning process that places the student at the centre.
What Makes an IB World School?
Schools wishing to earn the title of IB World School first successfully complete an authorisation process involving comprehensive evaluations; after authorisation, periodic evaluations continue. In an IB World School, the following stand out:
- International awareness: A multilingual and multicultural learning environment.
- Areas of experience: Comprehensive laboratories specific to each field, along with art and sports spaces.
- Art and sport: Complements physical, emotional and social development alongside academic growth.
- Technological facilities: Capable of delivering lessons such as STEM and robotic coding.
- Continuous renewal: A flexible structure that encourages development and critical engagement.
In brief
- An IB World School is a school authorised to deliver the IB program.
- It is not exam-focused; it teaches how to learn and a way of thinking.
- It requires a multilingual, multicultural and continuously developing school structure.
You can explore the program's levels on our IB Primary Years Program and IB Diploma Program pages, and read how the IB prepares students for the future rather than for an exam in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are an IB World School and the IB Diploma Program the same thing?
No. An IB World School is a school authorised to deliver IB programs; the IB Diploma Program is one of the high school level programs these schools offer.
Is the IB diploma recognised by universities?
Yes. The IB diploma is recognised and respected by many universities around the world.
Why is the IB not exam-focused?
Rather than making students memorise information, the IB aims to teach them how to learn; it equips the student with thinking and research skills they will use throughout life.
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