| The IB Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is a two year pre-university course, designed to facilitate the mobility of students and to promote international understanding. It leads to awarding either the IB Diploma or IB Certificates in separate subjects. The full Diploma Program (DP) is comprehensive and designed to provide students with a balanced holistic education in preparation for tertiary study in colleges and universities around the world.
At KIS the IB Diploma Program is optional and fully integrated into the US accredited KIS High School Diploma curriculum delivered to grades 11-12.
The IB is a rigorous program which involves studying a minimum of six subjects, three or four at higher level (HL) and three or two at standard level (SL). Examination papers are set by international experts and marked externally. Students must also:
- Complete at least 100 hours of instruction in an interdisciplinary course called Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
- Complete an extended essay of 4000-5000 words involving independent research in an IB subject
- Participate in an approved 150 hour program of creative, active and community service activities (CAS or Creativity, Action and Service)
The IB Diploma hexagon indicates the 6 subject areas from which choice of subjects are made. For more details, see the IBO web site: www.ibo.org
KIS IB Diploma subjects are chosen from each of the following six groups below:
| Group |
Subject |
Courses |
| 1 |
Language A1 |
Language A1, English SL/HL |
| 2 |
Language B / Ab Initio |
French SL, German SL/HL, Hindi SL/HL, Spanish Ab Initio, Spanish SL & Korean B, SL/HL, Tamil SL, Dzongkha SL |
| 3 |
Study of Individuals & Societies |
History, Economics, Geography, Business & Management, Psychology (HL/SL) |
| 4 |
Experimental Science |
Biology, Chemistry & Physics (SL/HL) Environmental Systems(SL) |
| 5 |
Mathematics |
Mathematical Studies SL, Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL, Computer Science HL/SL |
| 6 |
Art & Electives |
Visual Arts and Music, (HL/SL) |
Students may take one subject from each of the six groups, or one subject each from Groups 1 - 5 and a second subject from Groups 2 - 5.
KIS courses which are available at IB Higher or Standard Level are indicated in the respective department sections of the KIS Curriculum Guide.
Click here for pdf download of KIS 2009 / 2010 IB Handbook
Word from the IB Coordinator
The year began on a very positive and hopeful note. For the academic year 2010 - 2011 KIS has 70 full IB Diploma students who reflect the cultural diversity of the school. Students take an active part in, and contribute to their school, their local community and their global community.
Our programs are not exam driven: results are important of course, but the best results are attained by allowing students to develop their learning and to engage in the curriculum. Our students are at the centre of our programs. Students are taught to think for themselves and to drive the learning process. Teachers like that; students thrive on it.
There are many new developments in the IB Diploma program furthering our commitment to promoting internationalism and intercultural awareness and understanding. This year our school has introduced IB Film making as a Group 6 subject.
Our students are internationally aware citizens, with open minds and open hearts. All students learn a
second language, together with the skills to live and work with others both locally and internationally. At KIS we offer a choice from 6 different second languages: French SL/HL, German SL/HL, Hindi SL/HL, Korean H, Spanish abnito/SL/HL and Tamil SL/HL. Our school is one of 3 schools in the whole world which offers Tamil as a second language in the IB program and the only one in India.
Dr. Shanthi Vedanayakam
Useful Links:
www.ibo.org - International Baccalaureate Organization |
