The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
In March 2020 ISR was authorized to start teaching the IBDP. This is a rigorous, international two-year college preparation programme for students in grades 11 and 12.
What makes it different? The IB programme goes beyond teaching subjects. The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally-minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
In the IBDP itself, students are required to take six courses from the choices below-one from each group. The groups are as follows:
Group 1: English Language and Literature
Group 2: French and Spanish as a Foreign Language (B), German as a Beginners’ Language (Ab Initio) – only offered at SL. We also offer Latvian Literature as a second language for our bilingual students. This will be recognized with the awarding of a bilingual IB diploma
Group 3: Economics, Geography, History
Group 4: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics
Group 5: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
Group 6: Visual Arts and Music
In addition to the courses above they also need to complete successfully the core subjects of:
- Theory of Knowledge – a critical thinking course in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – an experiential course in which students complete a project related to those three concepts
- Extended Essay (EE) – an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
The breadth and depth of this pre-college programme will help our students to be college/university ready and also help them to be useful citizens of the world, as it transcends academics alone and has a holistic approach to student development.
Why choose ISR?
- We support students in accessing the Latvian State system.
- Bilingual diplomas – students taking both English and Latvian are eligible for a bilingual diploma. Please read this article which outlines how this can be advantageous.
- Small groups.
- Well-qualified teachers with vast experience of the IB. We have workshop leaders and examiners on our faculty.
10 reasons to choose this for the last two years of your high school education:
1. “It increases academic opportunity”. Research* shows that DP graduates are much more likely to be enrolled at top higher education institutions than entrants holding other qualifications. (*Based on IB research)
2. “IB students care about more than just results”. Through creativity, action, service (CAS) you learn outside the classroom and develop emotionally, ethically and intellectually.
3. “It encourages you to become a confident and independent learner”. For example, the extended essay requires independent research through an in-depth study.
4. “It’s an international qualification”. The DP is recognized globally by universities and employers.
5. “Graduates are globally-minded”. Language classes encourage an international mindset, key for increasingly globalized societies.
6. “IBDP students have proven time management skills”. IBDP graduates learn how to study effectively and to manage their time. They carry these skills with them into further education and ultimately the working world.
7. “It assesses more than examination techniques”. Learn to understand, not just memorize facts or topics and prepare for exams.
8. “Subjects are not taught in isolation”. Theory of Knowledge (ToK) classes encourage you to make connections between subjects.
9. “It encourages breadth and depth of learning”. You are able to choose courses from six subject groups and study subjects at different levels.
10. “It makes you think”. The ToK element in all subjects encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
