The IB

What is the IB?

The International Baccalaureate is an international curriculum with an ambitious mission: “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect” (IB, 2019).
It was established in 1968 and has grown exponentially since then to become a universally-recognized international education that provides entry to top universities around the world.

About the IB

The IB

The IB at ISL is made up of three programmes:

  • the Primary Years Programme, or PYP (Reception 3 to Year 6)
  • the Middle Years Programme, or MYP (Year 7 to Year 11)
  • the Diploma Programme, or DP (Year 12 and Year 13).

What makes the IB different?

The PYP, MYP, and DP offer a broad, balanced, conceptual, and connected education that seeks to develop truly global citizens.

Unified under the framework of the learner profile, the IB seeks “to encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right” (IB, 2019).

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, students need to be prepared for the political nuance, moral sensitivity, and critical thinking that will be required of them.

The IB aims to provide an education that ultimately will make the world a better, more peaceful place.

What are the outcomes of the IB?

IB students develop several personal and academic skills such as:

  • solid critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • the ability to research independently
  • strong time-management and organisational skills
  • self-confidence developed through academic rigour
  • confidence in presentations and public speaking
  • open-mindedness towards a range of perspectives
  • empathy and compassion through service work
  • confident preparation for success in further education

The International Baccalaureate (IB) challenges students to excel personally and academically

ISL is an IB continuum school. This means we offer all three IB programmes (PYP, MYP, and DP) throughout our entire curriculum–from early childhood to the end of secondary.

The IB encourages both personal and academic achievement. We are therefore very proud of our students’ IB Diploma Programme results.

ISL’s long-term mean of approximately 34-35 points is healthy. It compares favourably with the world mean (approximately 29.5 points) and also other international schools both within Switzerland and globally.

Click here to view more information on our consistently high IB Diploma Results.

IB Learner Profile

The learner profile

The aim of the International Baccalaureate (IB) is to develop globally-minded people with a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success.

We share a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others, and the world around them.

Each of the IB’s programmes is committed to the development of students according to the IB learner profile.

IB international baccalaureate primary years programme

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children aged 3-11 nurtures and develops young students as caring and active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.

In the PYP, students learn to think for themselves. They take responsibility for their own learning through an inquiry-led approach.

Students also demonstrate respect for themselves and others. They develop international-mindedness by working with others for a shared purpose and taking positive action for change.

IB international baccalaureate middle years programme

Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a 5-year programme for students aged 11-16.

The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally-minded young people who can empathise with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.

The MYP curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents.

In each year of the programme, the MYP requires at least 50 hours of teaching time for each subject group.

In the final two years of the programme, students choose subjects of their choice. This flexibility allows students to meet both local requirements and personal learning goals.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

Diploma Programme (DP)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is for students aged 16-18.

The DP curriculum is made up of both six subject groups and the DP core:

  • theory of knowledge (TOK)
  • creativity, activity, service (CAS)
  • the extended essay (EE)

The Diploma Programme is recognised and respected by universities around the world.