We use cookies to improve your online experiences. To learn more and choose your cookies options, please refer to our cookie policy.
Limited Spaces available for 2025-26, Apply Now.
Please contact our admissions team
The International Baccalaureate has been recognised as one of education’s finest curricula for decades now. However, since its inception in 1968, many other teaching styles and frameworks have come to the foreground and with so many options for parents to choose from, some common misconceptions have arisen about the IB programme.
In this blog, we’ll cover the top 10 myths about the International Baccalaureate programme and dig into whether or not they should be real concerns for you when deciding on the best curriculum for your child.
This is one of the most common misconceptions about the IB, due to its prestige and worldwide recognition. However, in reality the IB is designed to be inclusive, not exclusive.
It is certainly an academically rigorous curriculum but one designed in such a way to support a wide range of learners through tailored instruction and a holistic approach. If you have a willingness to learn, the IB is a great choice for many students of varying abilities.
When picking a curriculum for your child, we understand that you want to strike a careful balance between challenging them and overwhelming them.
The IB is designed with this exact approach in mind – to challenge but not to stress. Aside from the academics, the IB focuses on reflection, time management and personal wellbeing, giving students a solid footing for navigating the challenges they may face in their future.
The aim is resilience, not burnout.
This one is an easy one to dispute. International Baccalaureate students are recognised by universities around the world for their experience and preparedness. In fact, the IB Diploma is valued as a passport to the world’s top universities.
IB students are trained to think critically, write at a high academic level effectively and manage their time - all of which are invaluable skills in higher education and self-guided study.
One of the most attractive qualities of the IB curriculum for parents and students alike is its focus on holistic development.
So much so, in fact, that one of the core components of the programme is CAS - Creativity, Activity, Service. This component prioritises emotional intelligence, leadership and empathy through a personal project which is not formally assessed, but still an essential part of the curriculum.
Students can show initiative through undertaking volunteering efforts, demonstrate perseverance by mastering a physical skill, and develop creativity through the arts and out-of-the-box thinking. Academics are important, but developing as people and members of society is just as important for the IB, if not more so.
Whilst it is a curriculum which focuses on broad-spanning, holistic development, the IB does allow for subject specialisation with a focus on interdisciplinary thinking.
Many medical and STEM students progress through the IB programmes, with strong foundations in science and maths combining with analytical and writing skills - all of which are vital for aspiring professionals in these fields.
The IB is also specifically designed to prepare students for university studies, which are of course crucial for those looking to enter a medical or engineering field. Many SISD students have received multiple offers to study Medicine at top ranked universities worldwide.
The International Baccalaureate framework is meticulously structured, with decades of refinement resulting in a well-rounded, directive curriculum.
There are clear learning objectives and assessment criteria throughout the programme, with learners being guided in both planning and reflection as much as the mastery of subjects and content.
The reality of this myth is that the IB is one of the most widely respected international curricula, with it being offered to students in more than 160 countries.
Its global reputation and appeal is just part of what makes the International Baccalaureate the preferred choice for many students and parents with an ambition for a global career and future.
The IB is made up of six subject groups, with the addition of the IB core. Students are able to tailor their own programmes by choosing Higher or Standard level courses, as well as to select their own specialisms within these six subject groups.
The six subject groups in the IB are:
· Studies in Language and Literature
· Language Acquisition
· Individuals and Societies (including business management, economics and philosophy)
· Sciences (including biology, chemistry and computer science)
· Mathematics
· Arts (including dance, film and music)
Whilst the IB does cover a breadth of subjects, it does so in a way which empowers students to choose specific focuses which interest them and fit their goals most effectively.
On the contrary, creativity is a large part of the IB. From CAS projects to the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge, students are consistently tasked with questioning, creating and reflecting on their own learning – not just memorising facts and figures.
The IB is a great choice for any student looking to further their understanding of how we learn, rather than what we learn. Combined with the arts-specific elements of the CAS component, IB learners regularly test the limits of their creativity and find new ways to expand it further.
Deciding upon a school for your child is never an easy decision. Many factors can influence the decision, from curriculum choices and teacher expertise to location and student culture, so it is understandable that this decision carries some weight.
At SISD, our experienced teachers and leaders deliver personalised learning support with a commitment to academic excellence in the International Baccalaureate programme - achieving a 100% pass rate in 2024. Our campus features high-tech labs, inspiring workplaces and world-class art and sports facilities to make holistic development a key focus every day.
When you’re choosing a school, your focus shouldn’t just be on whether it offers the IB, it should be on finding one which lives and breathes the core fundamentals of the IB.
Now that we’ve busted some IB myths, if you’re interested in finding out more about how SISD can support your child through a lifetime of learning, growth and personal development, reach out to our admissions team today.
Our global community with students from all across the globe, state-of-the-art campus and full spectrum of IB programmes make us a great place to learn for ambitious, passionate students. Don’t let those misconceptions hold you back.
Looking for the best curriculum for your child? Find out how the IB MYB curriculum offers a balanced, challenging and globally relevant education in our blog.