What is the International Baccalaureate Organization?
The IBO is a non-profit international educational organization that was established in 1968. The IBO offers to schools three programmes of international education that span the primary, middle and secondary school years. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students aged 3-12, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11-16, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 16-18. While these programmes form a continuous sequence, each may be offered independently. In all three programmes, the IBO offers schools curriculum materials, assessment procedures, teacher training workshops, school authorization, programme evaluation, and comprehensive support services in English, French and Spanish.

How many schools offer IB programmes?
1,293 schools are authorized to offer IB programmes (Diploma Programme, Middle Years Programme, Primary Years Programme). These schools, known as IB world schools, offer a total of 1,508 IB programmes (DP, MYP, PYP) in 115 countries. (31 December 2003)

What types of schools offer IB programmes?
IB programmes are offered by state schools, public schools, private schools and international schools.

Can any student enroll in an IB programme?
Only students enrolled in an IBO authorized school may participate in an IB programme. Any student who is at an IBO-authorized school may enroll in the Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme. The Diploma Programme (DP) is designed more for highly motivated students who hope to attend university; enrollment in the programme is at the discretion of the school.

I am an IB student. Who do I turn to with questions about the programmes?
The IB programme coordinators at your school are your best resource for information about IB programmes.

Can I use the curriculum of the PYP, MYP or DP to home school my child?
No. The IBO permits only students enrolled in and attending IBO authorized schools to participate in an IB programme.

How can my child enroll in an IB programme?
Each school establishes its own enrollment policies. We encourage you to contact the school’s IB coordinator to learn how to enroll your child. You can find the names and addresses of IB authorized schools, and the IB coordinator at those schools, at schools directory.

Does the IB Diploma Programme satisfy my national requirements for receiving a secondary or high school degree?
In the majority of countries, the IB diploma can entirely replace the national diploma for entry to university. It is, however, important to check national regulations to see if the IB diploma gives, in addition, the same legal rights as a national diploma (for example, the right to be employed in the state service).

Can I transfer my credits from one IB authorized school to another?
The IBO regional offices work closely with schools to ensure that students of all ages can transfer without problems. However, the school makes the final decision.

What is the Primary Years Programme?
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is for students aged 3-12. It focuses on the development of the whole child, addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs, while giving students a strong foundation in all of the major areas of knowledge. The PYP strives to help children develop an international perspective—to become aware of and sensitive to the points of view of people in other parts of the world.

What is the Middle Years Programme?
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is for students aged 11-16. Students in the MYP study all the major disciplines, including languages, humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, technology and physical education. The MYP seeks to help students make connections between disciplines and to give them a global perspective, and encourages them to participate actively in their communities.

What is the Diploma Programme?
The Diploma Programme (DP), for students aged 16-19, is a two-year course of study that prepares students for university. It is a broad and balanced curriculum in which all DP students study languages, a social science, an experimental science, mathematics, and, normally, an arts subject. Wherever possible, the subjects are approached from an international perspective. The IB diploma is “recognized”, that is, accepted, by 1,709 universities in 102 countries, including all of North America, Western Europe, and Australia. At the same time, the DP generally allows students to fulfill the requirements of their national education system.

Is the Diploma Programme curriculum the same all over the world?
The core requirements are the same but there is room for flexibility. The course offerings of one school may differ somewhat from those of another school.

How well do IB students do in applying to university?
Recipients of the IB diploma enjoy a high rate of acceptance at leading universities. In addition, about 30 universities offer scholarships to IB graduates.

Can I take individual IB courses?
Yes, but you will receive the IB diploma only if you fulfill all the requirements of the Diploma Programme. Students who enroll in individual courses will receive an IB certificate noting the courses they took and the marks they earned.

How many exams do IB students take, and when do they take them?
Diploma programme students generally take six exams, including one literature course taught in the student’s native language, one foreign language, one social science, one experimental science, one mathematics and one arts course. The arts course can be replaced by a second social science, a second experimental science, or a third language. IB students take their examinations at the end of the two-year Diploma Programme; sometimes they take a few of their exams at the end of the first year of the DP.

Where can I find a schedule of IB exams?
The schedule of IB exams is posted on the IBO web site. See November 2003 Diploma Programme examinations and 2004 Diploma Programme examinations.

When are exam results made available?
Exam results are sent in July for the May session and in January for the November session. Students may also obtain their results online, at www.results.ibo.org. To access the website, students must have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) which they receive from their Diploma Programme coordinator.