The International Baccalaureate (IB) is considered one of the best programs to prepare students for a globalised world and to get access to higher education. This is especially important if you look for an international school for your child when living abroad. Let’s have a look at five of its key advantages.
Families who are moving countries have to consider the future of their children, especially when it is about acceptance of the diploma and curriculum they are going to follow. Schools that offer an IB program are a great fit for students who have an international background, since it is based on worldwide standards. This enables students who have to relocate more than once to enrol in a different IB World School and find the same curriculum. Furthermore they will later on have the opportunity to enrol in most international universities.
Additionally IB World Schools usually offer a range of activities and services for the students as well as their families that help them integrate in their new home, looking to ensure that conditions are ideal for the new arriving expats. For example, Strothoff International School , one of the leading IB schools in the Frankfurt area, says about themselves: We are more than a school - We are family!
All the schools that offer an IB Program have to follow a certified curriculum that puts an emphasis on helping students think critically and taking responsibility for their own learning. Students are challenged to develop research and learning skills (they learn how to learn) which have been proven to help them later in higher education.
Students will develop creativity and communication skills, both verbal and written, by taking part in debates, doing research or writing essays on different topics. The IB program also encourages them to consider a global context through bilingual programs and a choice of second languages, including their cultural origins. At Heidelberg International School , an example of an IB World School in Germany, they emphasise being a diverse international community and that their students, their families and staff all contribute to a shared vision of respect and understanding, and that it is essential to encourage and empower students to become compassionate life-long learners.
One part of the IB program is Community Action Service (CAS), which focuses on social activities. All students are required to develop CAS projects that explore an area of their interest and centre around giving back to the community. This helps students to think and take action beyond the school limits, engaging in a real world project.
IB continuously monitors the performance of their students and adapts their programs to ensure a quality education that enables students to achieve academic excellence. See the results of the latest IB research .
Therefore IB students develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. They are also likely to perform well academically – often better than students on other curricula.