The Gold Standard of Education

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is an academically challenging and balanced program of education that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students.

The heart of the IB can be found in its Learner Profile, which informs the outlook of both curriculum and instruction. This profile describes IB learners: Inquirers, Thinkers, Knowledgeable, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, Reflective. 

Notice that only portions of the Learner Profile are strictly academic. The IB and North Broward share the same goal of developing more than just a traditional student. We believe in developing these qualities, not only in the students, but also in the faculty.

The International Baccalaureate at NBPS

The IB classifies subjects into Groups of which there are six. Every discipline at North Broward offers IB courses during 11th and 12th grade. Please see our Current Offerings.

Because of the nature of the IB, all students can benefit from taking at least one IB course. The majority of students do indeed take one or more IB courses before graduating. Successfully completing a course results in a “certificate” in that area. 

NBPS students can elect to pursue the entire IB Diploma Program. This is comprised of a “Core” and three IB subjects at the Higher Level (accelerated) and three subjects at the Standard Level (honors). The Core consists of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE),  Creativity,

and Activity and Service (CAS)  hours.

There are specific requirements regarding the scores needed to obtain a diploma (in a range of 24-45 points for six courses, CAS and TOK/EE).

All students in IB courses are required to complete internal assessments  (scored internally by the teacher and moderated by the IB), external assessments (scored by an IB examiner), and end of subject exams in May (scored by an IB examiner).

CAS at NBP

“The educational aims of the IB programme: to develop to their fullest potential the powers of each individual to understand, to modify and to enjoy his or her environment, both inner and outer, in its physical, social, moral, aesthetic and spiritual aspects. ~Alec Peterson, 2003

C - Creativity - ‘Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance’

A - Activity - ‘Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle’

S - Service - ‘Collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need’

Learning Outcomes

Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.

STRENGTH & GROWTH

What it REALLY means: When you get out of your comfort zone, you learn stuff about yourself. For example, when you organised that event, were you patient with other people? If not, maybe you could try to improve. When you saw those homeless people, were you shocked? If yes, why? Could this help you improve your perception of the world?

Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

CHALLENGE & SKILLS

What it REALLY means: What have you done to push yourself? What was unfamiliar about it? What skills do you think you developed?

Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.

INITIATIVE & PLANNING

What it REALLY means: This one’s easy! When you are organizing your CAS events or activities, just make sure you note down how you organized, who you contacted and what the organizational process involved.

Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.

COMMITMENT & PERSEVERANCE

What it REALLY means: You are not alone. All IB DP students area thinking the same thing – WHY do we have to do this when we have so much to do already? I know this sounds unbelievable now but you will benefit from it SO much in the future. Whatever happens, keep going! Do a little and often.

Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.

COLLABORATIVE SKILLS

What it REALLY means: Do team activities. Simple. One of the best and most fun parts of CAS is the team stuff. This can range from playing a new team sport to being involved in a play or volunteer group. When you work in a team you a stronger. Think of Lionel Messi – he is a footballing genius but without his team-mates he would be nothing.

Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

What it REALLY means: There are so many global issues right now it’s hard to know which one to support most. Global warming, the refugee crisis, homelessness, cancer research? CAS Trips advice – pick one per year and think what you can do to help from where you are. Plan it, initiate it. do it. That’s CAS, folks!

Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

ETHICS OF CHOICES & ACTIONS

What it REALLY means: Your mum has been telling this since as long as you can remember and your teachers joined in a little later: The things you do and the choices you make have consequences. Think about the CAS activities you are doing and how they affect others. Is what you are doing right or wrong? How?

5 stages of CAS planning

Benefits of IB

Taking IB courses, and doing well in them, demonstrates to universities a serious and inquiry-driven student, one who embodies the qualities of the Learner Profile.

Universities recognize that success in the IB translates into success at their institutions and in life. The rigor and, especially, the type of coursework prepare students to succeed well beyond their freshman year. Read about the worldwide recognition of the IB Diploma.

Beyond university, it is our belief that IB students develop skills for continued achievement and an open-minded, inquiry-based perspective which accompanies success in life.

Current IB students, please click here for additional information.