The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Program (DP) was established to provide students with a balanced education, facilitate geographic and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding.

The Diploma Program curriculum sets out the requirements for study of the DP. The curriculum consists of the DP core and six subject groups.

The three DP core elements are:

• Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.

• The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, concluding with a 4,000-word paper.

• Creativity, activity, service, in which students complete numerous activities and lead a project related to those three concepts.

Students choose courses from the following six subject groups: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts.

Students may opt to study an additional course in a different subject instead of a course in the arts.

Students will take 3 to 4 subjects at higher level (HL) and 2 to 3 at standard level (SL).  HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.

Each student takes at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level.

Diploma Program students are college ready.  They can earn college credit at many institutions when they earn passing scores on IB assessments.