The International Baccalaureate (IB) works as a continuous programme. Students begin the Primary Years Programme at the age of 3 and then proceed to the Middle Years Programme (MYP). After completing MYP, students can choose between two pre-university programmes that suit their interests: the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP).
The curriculum aims to cultivate students to be (based on the IB Learner Profile):
Based on the Learner Profile, IB instils acute awareness of the world beyond learners’ education through curiosity, knowledge, confidence and empathy.
Primary Years Programme (PYP)
PYP provides students aged 3 to 12 with an opportunity to take control of their learning processes and become acquainted with everyone around them. In PYP, they become curious, hence developing an understanding of the subjects and the world around them by reflecting on their learning outcomes and experiences.
Students typically learn Science, Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Arts and Physical, Social and Personal Education (PSPE), but with an added advantage of understanding how the world works, trying their hand at organising, sharing spaces and channelling their expression. This creates an ‘agency’ for students to take ‘action’ on their education and exhibit their growth.
Middle Years Programme (MYP)
At ages 11 to 16, students will advance to MYP, where the same learning processes are applied, but they begin to relate it to the practical aspects in everyday life. The programme helps prepare them for DP and CP, both rigorous for the independent learner.
They sit for eight subjects: Language and Literature, Mathematics and Sciences, Arts and Design, Individual and Societies and PSPE. They will learn each subject in-depth through projects, service and action.
At the end of their MYP journey, they are expected to complete a long-term project that reflects what they have learned thus far, offering themselves insights, hence making students responsible for the knowledge they have gained along the way.
Diploma Programme (DP)
DP is the longest-running programme offered by IB that began in 1968. By the end of the programme, students will possess the breadth and depth of knowledge required to pursue their degrees at the university of their choice.
On top of language, mathematics and science, arts and individual societies, DP culminates in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and an Extended Essay (EE). Both TOK and EE requires students to produce essays on a topic of interest that will help them gain a deeper understanding throughout their time in the IB curriculum. Students will also be involved in activities that promote creativity, activity and service.
Key findings for the impact of DP suggested that students score higher in critical thinking and participation than those not in IB. The results also discovered that IB students enrolled in universities immediately after graduation (data in the US) and IB students in Asia are more likely to possess 21st-century skills than those not in IB.