The Diploma Programme Curriculum

The programme has the strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum, but with three important additional features, shown at the centre of the hexagonal curriculum model.

                                                                                                                                                    ( www.ibo.org)



Theory of Knowledge (TOK) 

TOK is an interdisciplinary course which studies how we know what we know. This course connects the six subjects of the Diploma.  Class time is often spent in discussion.  Topics are as varied as Fermat's Theorem, Plato's "Allegory of the Cave", Einstein's Relativity Theory, and "The Matrix" ("I know Kung Fu").  This course is designed to encourage critical reflection on the world of the IB student, inside and outside the classroom.  IB Diploma Candidates must take this course along with the coursework in the Six Diploma Subjects.   

Creativity, action, service (CAS)

The IBO's goal was to have a global view that is acted on locally.  In order to enable students to become active, passionate and compassionate citizens all Diploma students must complete CAS requirement.  The CAS programme encourages students to share their energy and special talents with others. Students may, for example, participate in theatre or musical productions, sports and community service activities.

Students should, through these activities, develop greater awareness of themselves, concern for others, and the ability to work cooperatively with other people.  A major concern of our students has been a Landmine Initiative (adopted also as an IB initiative worldwide).  Our school has raised thousands of dollars which, along with other IB Schools, have been donated to the Landmine Survivor's Network and toward Landmine Clearance.

An extended essay of 4000 words

Each Diploma student must undertake an investigative study culminating in an essay of 4000 words.  Students have the ability to investigate whatever topic they like and must complete this assignment in order to receive their Diploma.  It helps us prepare students for the rigors of university writing.  Some of our students have chosen to write on diverse topics such as Picasso's painting of "Guernica", Applications of Nanotechnology, and the Bildungsroman as a form of literature.