INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PROGRAM

AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SECONDARY SCHOOL

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, designed for highly motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Conceived as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems, the diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country, but incorporates the best elements of several. 

The IB diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of six subject groups.
Language A1 (English), Language B (French), Individuals and Societies, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, and the Arts. 


The programme offers special features in addition to the strengths of a liberal arts curriculum.

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. Theory of Knowledge seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies the academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives.
• Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is a fundamental part of the diploma curriculum. The goal of educating the whole and fostering a more compassionate citizenry comes alive in an embedded way when students reach beyond themselves and their books.
• Diploma candidates are required to undertake original research and create an Extended Essay of some 4000 words. This project offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and acquaints students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at university. 

The grading system used by the International Baccalaureate Organization is criterion referenced. This means that each students performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement consistent from one examination session to the next. Top grades are not simply awarded "on a curve" to a certain percentage of candidates, but rather reflect attainment of knowledge and skills relative to set standards equally applied to all schools. Validity, reliability and fairness are the watchwords of the IBO's international examining board.