DP stands for the International Baccalaureate’s Diploma Program. The IB Diploma Program is a globally recognized two year program for students ranging from 16-19 years. It consists of 6 core classes in addition to Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity Action and Service (CAS). The IBDP is a rigorous and challenging program that does a wonderful job of helping students prepare for college or university.
As you can see below, there’s a picture of a circle, which represents the IBDP. In the center, there’s a circle that says: The IB Learner Profile. It’s aim is to develop learners who are inquires, knowledgeable, thinkers, open-minded, reflective, caring, etc. Basically, students that want to learn and “think outside of the box”. So, the core of the program is to develop each and every student to become knowledgable, open-minded, and mature young adults.
The second circle is labeled: Approaches to Teaching. The IB’s approach to learning is to develop effective methods of teaching and learning, while working within global contexts. Students are taught to understand different languages, cultures, and different roles in society. The program explores important and significant content, which develops understanding that meets international standards. The learners stand of course in the center of all the teaching.
In the third ring, there are three unique requirements for the diploma: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity Action and Service (CAS). TOK is a course that examines the origins and validity of various forms of knowledge. It also teaches students to become critical to new and already existing ideas. Extended Essay is a very important requirement in the IB. It not only helps students research important topics, but also teaches the students how to right essays for research papers at universities. Students are required to research a topic in one subject area and write an essay about it with no more than 4,000 words. In CAS, students have to find the “fun” in life. It encourages students to participate in creative, active, and serviceable activities in their free time. They don’t only have to focus on school the whole time, but to also have fun in life and to do something worthy for others.
The fourth ring consists of the 6 different areas students can choose their classes from. These groups are main language, second language, individuals and societies, math, the sciences, and the arts. Students have to either choose one subject from each group, one subject from each groups + two subjects from a group in math, science, or art, or take two mother tongues and no second language. When I student takes two mother tongues, they also receive an additional diploma called the Bilingual Diploma, which can be useful when applying to university or a job.
The last circle binds everything together under the title of IB Diploma Program. The words “international-mindedness” are also in the final circle of the DP. It’s to state that it’s also important that students know what’s going on in the world around them and how to treat everyone in it. Everyone has to consider other people’s traditions and to understand and respect other opinions and beliefs.
My High School Journey 