IB
Grade 11 Standard and Higher levels; Grade 12 Standard and Higher levels.
“The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems, the diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country but incorporates the best elements of several. Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at higher level (HL), the others are at subsidiary / standard level (SL). HL courses represent 240 teaching hours, SL courses cover 150 hours.”
IB History at Seisen
Although the International Baccalaureate was founded in 1960, it was not till 1986 that it was implemented at Seisen. An international curriculum which emphasized such aspects as critical thinking, community service, and exposure to a wide variety of viewpoints was appealing since it reflected well what the Seisen curriculum was attempting to achieve already. Also central to the decision to offer the IB was the fact that Universities all over the world could now evaluate our students and determine their eligibility against an internationally recognized standard.
Since its implementation the IB has grown steadily. It is now a well established and central aspect of our High School Program. Typically well over half of our students choose to take the full IB Diploma Program. On the other hand, we continue to offer a regular University Preparatory Program as well as the IB Diploma. In Grade 10 our students are asked to choose between these two options. One testament to the strength and popularity of this program here is that during the past several years the entire class have chosen to sit for the full IB Diploma.
Our High School staff are also heavily involved with the IB. The school actively supports their participation in IB Teacher Training Workshops and Conferences. Several members of our staff serve as “Assistant Examiners “ for the IBO.