Diploma Programme

Students on this pathway take standard-level and/or higher-level IB courses, and meet the credit requirements for graduation. However, they do not sit for external exams assessed by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Students on this pathway take standard-level and/or higher-level IB courses, meet the credit requirements for graduation, and sit for select external exams assessed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Students who receive a passing mark on their exams and their courses will receive IB certificates in those courses.

Students on this intensive academic pathway meet requirements for the St. Andrew’s diploma, take 3 of 6 courses at a higher level, other 3 at standard level. They sit for six exams. To get the full IB diploma, they must receive passing marks in all their exams and courses.

A course where students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.

Through games, collaboration, and investigations of real life case studies, students have an opportunity to think critically about how knowledge grows in each of their subjects: the arts, math, the natural sciences, the human (social) sciences, and history. Unlike other IB subjects, the focus is not on teaching new ideas or content but rather on claims and questions about knowledge. Students have the opportunity to talk about how knowledge is developed, the controversies and perspectives in the development of knowledge, and the ethical constraints of what we can know.

An independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

During their senior year, students complete an independent piece of research on a topic of deep interest, culminating in a long essay. In the process of producing this extended piece of writing, students learn to formulate a research question, engage in a personal exploration of a topic, communicate ideas, and develop a compelling argument. Students are supported throughout the process of researching and writing the extended essay with advice and guidance from a St. Andrew’s faculty member.

Studied throughout the Diploma Programme, CAS involves students in a range of activities that enable them to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through hands-on experience and collaboration with others.

During the end of their junior year and beginning of their senior year, students undertake a CAS project focused on either creativity, activity, or service — or a combination of all three. For a creativity project, a talented musician could learn a particularly difficult piece, or a different style of playing. A valuable activity project could help a student overcome a personal fear, such as rock climbing. Service projects must be beneficial for the community as well as providing a learning opportunity for the student — such as organizing a children’s book drive for a women’s shelter. Upon completion of a CAS experience or project, students are asked to reflect on what they learned about the topic area, what they enjoyed about the experience/project, and — most importantly — what they learned about themselves and how they respond to challenges.