International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate Organisation’s Diploma Program (IB) is a demanding pre-university course of study that leads to external examinations. It is designed for highly motivated students aged 16 to 19. The program has earned a reputation for rigorous learning and assessment, and as such gives IB Diploma holders access to the world’s leading universities.
The program was born of efforts to establish a common curriculum and valid university entry credentials for students moving from one country to another. International educators were motivated by practical considerations but also by an idealistic vision: students should share an academic experience that would emphasize critical thinking, intercultural understanding and exposure to a variety of points of view.
The International Baccalaureate Organisation’s (IBO) goal is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgement, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community. The program equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment.
QAHS Curriculum
Year 10 Curriculum – Preparation for IB Course
Year 10 curriculum has been developed with a number of key objectives. These are:-
a) To ensure that each student is well prepared when they commence the IB Diploma Course in term 4 of Year 10.
b) To give each student exposure to each subject so that they will make principled subject selections in the IB Diploma.
c) To provide each student with insight into real world applications of the subjects that they study.
d) To inspire the students to want to continue to study in these fields in years to come.
A comprehensive overview of the course content including assessment schedule is published on the Academy e-learning site.
Senior IB Curriculum
The program has the strengths of a traditional curriculum, but with three important additional features, shown at the centre of the hexagonal curriculum model.
The IBO’s international curriculum planners seek to ensure that the organisation’s educational aims are embodied in the structure and content of the program itself.
The Diploma Program is displayed in the shape of a hexagon with six academic areas or subject groups surrounding a core of requirements. Students study these subjects concurrently. Students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning: the humanities and the sciences.
At QAHS, students will have the option of not selecting a subject from Group 6 but instead choose an additional subject from Group 4.
The IB rates each student’s performance within each subject on a scale of 1-7 and offers 3 extra points through additional assessments through Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. Most assessments are carried out externally to ensure validity.
This means that students can achieve a total of 45 points through the Diploma with a minimum of 24 required to be awarded the Diploma.
