International Baccalaureate Diploma

The IB Diploma Program is a challenging university preparatory course for the final two years of high school. A comprehensive and intellectually stimulating course of study, the IB is recognized by colleges and universities through the world, often leading to preferential admissions and advanced standing for IB students.

Students in Grades 11 and 12 follow the IB Diploma program. Success on the IB Diploma's oral and written examinations may afford graduates college credit for their high school work. Students select six subjects for two years study: English, one or two other languages, and at least one course each in mathematics, experimental science, and social science. Three courses are taken at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, allowing students to pursue advanced work of particular interest. They take an arts elective and Theory of Knowledge--a critical thinking and philosophy seminar--and research and write an extended essay on a topic of their choosing. Students also complete a minimum of 60 hours or volunteer community service, choosing the activities and evaluating themselves.

At the end of Grade 12, IB Diploma candidates complete a three-week battery of oral and written examinations in all of their IB subjects. IB exams are prepared and externally graded under the supervision of the International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva.

The Class of 2005’s IB Performance at WIS

Of 59 students, 56 were in the IB Diploma Program (the other 3 in the IB Certificate Program
34 students earned an additional Bilingual Diploma, indicating fluency in a second language
98 percent of students earned an IB Diploma
Worldwide, 82 percent of IB students earn a Diploma
WIS IB students earned at average subject mark of 5.9 (out of a possible 1 to 7)
WIS IB students earned a mean Diploma score of 33.6 (out of a minimum 24 to pass and a maximum possible scored of 45) – a better average score than IB students locally, regionally, nationally, or worldwide