International Baccalaureate world schools have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their commitment to active, cross-cultural, and creative education. The goal of an IB education is to create responsible, socially conscious students who use their cross-cultural education to promote world peace. Many times, when parents are in the process of learning how to choose a private school, they look for IB schools. Keep reading to learn more about this higher education program.
The history of IB schools
The IB diploma was developed by teachers at the International School of Geneva. They created this program for students who moved internationally and who wanted to attend a university. The project was concentrated on preparing students for college by creating a set of exams that these students would need to pass to go pursue their college education. In the United States, there are over 1,800 IB World Schools.
Asking questions in IB schools
Unlike traditional classrooms, children in IB schools help steer their learning by being allowed to ask questions that may redirect the lesson. Students don’t have total control over the classroom, they just help contribute to a dialogue with their teachers from which communication, lessons, and inquiries develop. Parents looking at how to choose a private school must be aware of this especially if it resonates with the educational goals they have in mind.
The IB Programs
The Primary Years Program, for children ages three to 12, helps students develop methods to ask questions and think critically. Students may learn about dinosaurs in science and draw them in art class. The Middle Years Program, for students ages 12 to 16, helps them make connections between themselves and the world. The Diploma Program prepares students ages 16 to 19 for university studies and meaningful life beyond college. In addition, IB classrooms are usually trans-disciplinary and cross-cultural, meaning that subjects are taught in many different areas and that students study other cultures and a second or even third language.
In recent years, IB programs have grown in the United States. Today many parents who ask themselves how to choose a private school, look for certain criteria in schools such as IB programs. Many schools are full IB while others offer students the option to enroll as full IB diploma candidates, or simply take a selection of IB courses. Now that you know what an IB program is, make sure to consider it if it applies to what you are looking for.