Decoding the IBDP Curriculum: Why It’s Beneficial for Your Child

The IBDP or the International Baccalaureate diploma programme is a two-year rigorous academic programme. It is offered to students in the age group of 16 to 19 years. Internationally accepted and recognized, this curriculum is a significant credential for college applications, especially overseas. Being aware of the advantages of this pedagogy, Oakridge International School is the pioneer in the Diploma Program in the State of Andhra Pradesh. 

How the IBDP works:

The IB Diploma Programme requires its students to take up six subjects along with the DP core. Three of these subjects can be taken at the challenging “Higher” level while the remaining can be taken at the “Standard” level. The six subject groups are: Studies in language and literature, Language acquisition, Individuals and societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts.

The DP core is made up of three core elements:

• Theory of Knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
• The Extended Essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
• Creativity, Activity, Service, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.

Regardless of the subject selection, all students explore the connections between the six major subject areas.  They not only study each subject through an international perspective, but also reflect critically on aspects of knowledge. They pursue one subject in great detail through independent research, and have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills through local and community service.

The IB gives students distinct advantages by building their critical thinking skills, nurturing their curiosity and their ability to solve complex problems. It aims to transform students as they learn, through dynamic cycles of inquiry, action, and reflection. At Oakridge, teachers also enable and support students. They develop the approaches to learning they need – for both academic and personal success.

The IB Learner Profile:

According to the IB learner profile the IBDP programme is committed to the development of students. The IB learners profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. In brief, it aims to develop students who are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.

The main advantages of being an IB learner are that the programme:

1. Encourages students to think critically and solve complex problems.
2. Helps the IB learners drive their own learning.
3. Prepares students to take up the challenges of University Studies
4. Makes students culturally aware through the development of a second language.
5. Aids students to engage with people in an increasingly globalized and rapidly changing world.

Advantage in University Placements:

The IB Diploma Programme provides a world-class preparation for university and life beyond. Each year, over 5,000 universities in more than 100 countries/territories receive IB students’ admission applications and transcripts. The IB programme develops the knowledge, skills and disposition of students need to be successful throughout their university careers.

The IB Diploma is widely recognized by colleges and universities around the world including India. The programme is considered as superior preparation for students to succeed at post-secondary institutions. For that reason many Universities and colleges develop recognition policies to maximise the opportunities for IB students at their institutions.

Even in India, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) has determined that the DP is equivalent to national grade 12.  Some universities even provide subject credits to students who have taken up the same stream of subjects as in their IB Diploma Programme. For instance, University of Chicago offers students up to a year’s worth of credit in a given subject for scores of 6 or 7 on the Higher-Level exams.

How IB develops students:

Research on Global mindedness of IBDP students suggests that they are internationally minded, creative, and critical thinkers. As a result of their time in the IB programme, students develop time management skills, a strong sense of motivation, keen interest in civic engagement, notable academic ability, and an international outlook.

Within the IB pedagogy the students develop their imaginative and scholarly quotient to deal with a variety of educational paradigms. Furthermore, some of the most selective universities worldwide recognize the IB diploma students as some of the highest performers in their areas of study.

In conclusion, a simple search about IBDP schools in India might give you hundreds of results. However, as a parent, you should select a reputable school that suits the requirements of your child’s education. Oakridge International School is one such renowned IB school in India. Oakridge offers an inquiry-based curriculum and an extensive range of extracurricular to empower the students to contribute to society in various abilities. So, enroll your child in an IB diploma course to give a globally recognized education!