A1The IB programme continuum
The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers three high-quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of schools. The three programmes for students aged 3 to 19 help develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills required to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.
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The Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 to 12 focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside.
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The Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to 16 provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills, achieved through embracing and transcending traditional school subjects.
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The Diploma Programme for students aged 16 to 19 is a demanding two-year curriculum leading to final examinations and a qualification that is welcomed by leading universities around the world.
Each programme includes a curriculum and pedagogy, student assessment appropriate to the age range, professional development for teachers and a process of school authorization and evaluation. Although the three IB programmes have their own unique characteristics, the educational philosophy is consistent across all of the programmes. All three place strong emphasis on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship. There are currently more than 573,000 students in 125 countries at 2,146 IB World Schools that offer one or more programmes.
The three programmes are free-standing and a school may opt to offer one, or any combination of the three programmes. However, if a school chooses to offer consecutive IB programmes, the programmes must be continuous, with students moving from one programme to the next without any gap years. As the PYP and MYP can be considered an excellent preparation for the Diploma Programme, schools are encouraged to consider offering the full continuum of IB programmes.
In cases where a school offers more than one programme, IB offices will deal with each programme as a separate entity. Correspondence and documents from the IB will be sent to the relevant programme coordinator in the school. Fees will be invoiced separately.