St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School IB Diploma Programme

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School

IB Diploma Programme

IB: An Education for Life

2

Founded in 1968 for internationally mobile students

Focus on the whole person

International perspective

Responsible citizenship

Critical and compassionate thinkers

Informed participants in local and international affairs

Respectful of other cultures and attitudes

International Baccalaureate Community

Over 2,400 schools Over 665,000 students In 130 countries (122 schools in

Canada offering Diploma Programme)

70,000 teachers plus parents, staff, examiners and other colleagues

Integration with Grade 11 and 12 Ontario Curriculum and Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

3

What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma

Programme?

4

demanding pre-university enriched course of study based on a set of international standards

emphasizes critical, compassionate thinking highly motivated students, 16 to 19 (Grades 11

and 12) rigorous assessment - access to the world’s

leading universities academic experience - critical thinking,

community involvement, intercultural understanding

IB Course Offerings Grades 11 and 12

5

Group 1 – Literature (English) Group 2 – Second Language (French, Spanish) Group 3 – Individuals and Society

(History, Economics) Group 4 –Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) Group 5 – Mathematics (Math, Math Studies) Group 6 – The Arts (Music)

Central Elements of the IB Diploma

Extended Essay (EE) 4,000 word investigation of a topic of special interest outside of the regular curriculum which acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities.

Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to develop the ability to analyze evidence and to appreciate other cultural perspectives.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) 120 – 150 hours reflective/experiential learning completed in grades 11 and 12.

6

Success Rate for Canadian Students

Ontario students have the highest success rate in all of Canada, with 92% of all students achieving the IB Diploma

Success Rate for Canadian Students

Ontario students have the highest success rate in all of Canada, with 92% of all students achieving the IB Diploma

Success Rate for Aquinas Students

2013-2014 Results 100% of STA Students achieved their IB Diploma Overall Average Number of Diploma Points: 31;

Global Average: 29.9 Average Mark in English: 5.67* (including 1 mark of 7);

Global Average: 4.78. Average Mark in Math for STA: 5.13* (including 2 marks of

7); Global Average: 4.48.

* Corresponds to an Ontario Mark between 84-92%

Testimonials from STA IB Students

“I took the IB program because I wanted to challenge myself. I’d say that I am not as anxious about university than I would have otherwise been not just because of the knowledge I now possess but also because of the work-study ethic and skills I have developed through the help of this program, which include but are not limited to research, analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills.” – Maame Yaa Brako, 2014 STA IB Graduate Attending McGill University Biological, Biomedical, and Life

Sciences Program. Earned 3 university transfer credits

Testimonials from STA IB Students

"I would describe my IB experience as challenging. The IB programme challenged me to become a globally-minded individual and to develop my critical thinking skills. It is a rigorous academic programme, however, (my) determination coupled with the efforts of my incredible mentors made the IB a rewarding experience.“ – Chantelle Colangelo, 2014 STA IB Graduate Attending Dalhousie University Global Development and pre-

Law Program Earned 4 university transfer credits Earned $25000 scholarship based on IB marks

What does IB offer the student?

12

high academic standards prepares for the rigors of post-secondary education educates the whole person students appreciate cultures and attitudes other than their

own and to be informed, tolerant and be willing to communicate with others

The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

University recognition The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the

world to gain recognition for the IB diploma: Direct online access for university admissions officers and

government officials to syllabuses and recent examination papers

A database of university admission policies on www.ibo.org Recognition in over 100 countries Recognition by over 2,000 universities Most universities offer scholarships and

advanced placement for IB students (e.g., first-year credits, second-year standing)

13

2013 Poll of US/UK Admissions Officers

14

IB Learner Profile

15

Inquirers – independent learners who enjoy learning

Knowledgeable – explore concepts, ideas and issues

Thinkers – apply thinking skills critically and creatively

Communicators – understand and express ideas

Brave – approach unfamiliar situations

Principled – recognize universal human rights

Caring – empathy, compassion and respect for others

Open-minded – perspectives, values and traditions other than their own

Well-balanced – physical and mental balance

Reflective – thoughtful consideration-learning and personal development

Canadian Universities and IB

16

Recent UBC Research on IB

UBC – entrance average 88% - highly competitive Top post-secondary destination for IB students in the world

(10% of 1st year students come from IB programmes worldwide)

Have begun tracking progress of IB students compared to traditional high-school students (e.g., gathering data on academic performance; how well students feel they are prepared for university, etc.)

17

Academic Findings UBC has recently recalibrated their entrance policy for IB

students to reflect the superior academic performance these students have demonstrated at UBC

Summary of Research IB graduates tend to be better prepared to adjust to the

academic environment of higher education, both in terms of academic performance and how prepared they feel

IB graduates tend to pursue and be involved in the kinds of experiences valued by many institutions (e.g., research projects)

IB graduates, regardless of how well they did, tend to perform well academically.

18

Sample Pre-IB TimetableGrade 9

Semester 1Grade 9

Semester 2

Pre – IB English Pre – IB Mathematics

Pre- IB French Pre – IB Science

Pre – IB Geography

Religion

Music/Drama/Visual Art/

Tech/Business

Phys. Ed.

19

Grade10Semester 1

Grade 10 Semester 2

Pre – IB English Pre- IB French

Pre – IB Mathematics

Pre – IB Mathematics

Grade 11

Pre – IB History Pre – IB Science

Religion Arts/Tech/Phys.Ed/

Business/ Civics & Careers**

**Careers/Civics (Summer school or on-line as possible option)

Sample IB Timetable

20

Grade 12Semester 1

Grade 12Semester 2

English English(IB Exam)

History History(IB Exam)

Chemistry or Biology

Chemistry or Biology

(IB Exam)

Economics or Physics or

Biology

Economics or Physics or Biology

(IB Exam)

Grade 11Semester 1

Grade 11Semester 2

French French(IB Exam)

Math Math(IB Exam)

Chemistry or Biology

Religion/TOK

English History

Application ProcessGrade 9

a) Submission of the Application Package along with a copy of Grade 8 Progress Report, and Grade 7 Final Report Card by November 26nd, 2014

b) Completion of the Canadian Achievement Test (CAT) Version 4. The CAT is a testing system that assesses the essential learning outcomes of the following basic skill areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. The CAT will be written at St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday, November 22nd at 9:00 A.M. The cost of the test is $30.00.

c) Submission of Grade 8 February Report Card.

21

Program Fees Grade 9: $250

Grade 10: $350

Grade 11: $600 (includes the cost of 2 IB Exams)

Grade 12: $1,000 (includes the cost of 4 IB Exams)

Fees are used to provide resources and training specific to the IB Program

22

Questions?

23

Contact Us

24

Email: [email protected]

Website: sta.hcdsb.org/IB

Twitter: @STAOakville

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staoakville