St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School
IB Diploma Programme
IB: An Education for Life
Founded in 1968 for internationally mobile students
 Focus on the whole person
 International perspective
 Responsible citizenship
 Critical and compassionate thinkers
 Informed participants in local and international affairs
 Respectful of other cultures and attitudes
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International Baccalaureate
Community
 Over 2,400 schools
 Over 665,000 students
 In 130 countries (122 schools in
Canada offering Diploma
Programme)
 70,000 teachers plus parents, staff,
examiners and other colleagues
 Integration with Grade 11 and 12
Ontario Curriculum and Ontario
Catholic Graduate Expectations
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What is the International
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme?
 demanding pre-university enriched course of study
based on a set of international standards
 emphasizes critical, compassionate thinking
 highly motivated students, 16 to 19 (Grades 11
and 12)
 rigorous assessment - access to the world’s
leading universities
 academic experience - critical thinking,
community involvement, intercultural
understanding
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IB Course Offerings
Grades 11 and 12
 Group 1 – Literature (English)
 Group 2 – Second Language
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(French, Spanish)
Group 3 – Individuals and Society
(History, Economics)
Group 4 –Experimental Sciences
(Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Group 5 – Mathematics
(Math, Math Studies)
Group 6 – The Arts (Music)
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Central Elements of the IB Diploma
Extended Essay (EE)
4,000 word investigation of a topic of special interest outside of the
regular curriculum which acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of
independent research and writing skills expected by universities.
Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
Challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to develop the
ability to analyze evidence and to appreciate other cultural perspectives.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
120 – 150 hours reflective/experiential learning completed in grades 11
and 12.
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Success Rate for Canadian Students
Ontario students have the
highest success rate in all
of Canada, with 92% of all
students achieving the IB
Diploma
Success Rate for Canadian Students
Ontario students have the
highest success rate in all
of Canada, with 92% of all
students achieving the IB
Diploma
Success Rate for Aquinas Students
2013-2014 Results
 100% of STA Students achieved their IB Diploma
 Overall Average Number of Diploma Points: 31;
Global Average: 29.9
 Average Mark in English: 5.67* (including 1 mark of 7);
Global Average: 4.78.
 Average Mark in Math for STA: 5.13* (including 2 marks of
7); Global Average: 4.48.
* Corresponds to an Ontario Mark between 84-92%
Testimonials from STA IB Students
“I took the IB program because I wanted to challenge myself. I’d
say that I am not as anxious about university than I would have
otherwise been not just because of the knowledge I now possess
but also because of the work-study ethic and skills I have
developed through the help of this program, which include but
are not limited to research, analytical, critical thinking, and
writing skills.” – Maame Yaa Brako, 2014 STA IB Graduate
 Attending McGill University Biological, Biomedical, and Life
Sciences Program.
 Earned 3 university transfer credits
Testimonials from STA IB Students
"I would describe my IB experience as challenging. The IB
programme challenged me to become a globally-minded
individual and to develop my critical thinking skills. It is a rigorous
academic programme, however, (my) determination coupled with
the efforts of my incredible mentors made the IB a rewarding
experience.“ – Chantelle Colangelo, 2014 STA IB Graduate
 Attending Dalhousie University Global Development and preLaw Program
 Earned 4 university transfer credits
 Earned $25000 scholarship based on IB marks
What does IB offer the student?
 high academic standards
 prepares for the rigors of post-secondary education
 educates the whole person
 students appreciate cultures and attitudes other than their
own and to be informed, tolerant and be willing to
communicate with others
 The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading
universities.
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University recognition
 The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the
world to gain recognition for the IB diploma:
 Direct online access for university admissions officers and
government officials to syllabuses and recent examination
papers
 A database of university admission policies on www.ibo.org
 Recognition in over 100 countries
 Recognition by over 2,000 universities
 Most universities offer scholarships and advanced placement
for IB students (e.g., first-year credits, second-year standing)
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2013 Poll of US/UK
Admissions Officers
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IB Learner Profile
 Inquirers – independent learners who enjoy learning
 Knowledgeable – explore concepts, ideas and issues
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Thinkers – apply thinking skills critically and creatively
Communicators – understand and express ideas
Brave – approach unfamiliar situations
Principled – recognize universal human rights
 Caring – empathy, compassion and respect for others
 Open-minded – perspectives, values and traditions
other than their own
 Well-balanced – physical and mental balance
 Reflective – thoughtful consideration-learning and
personal development
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Canadian Universities and IB
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Recent UBC Research on IB
 UBC – entrance average 88% - highly competitive
 Top post-secondary destination for IB students in the world
(10% of 1st year students come from IB programmes
worldwide)
 Have begun tracking progress of IB students compared to
traditional high-school students (e.g., gathering data on
academic performance; how well students feel they are
prepared for university, etc.)
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Academic Findings
 UBC has recently recalibrated their entrance policy for IB
students to reflect the superior academic performance these
students have demonstrated at UBC
Summary of Research
 IB graduates tend to be better prepared to adjust to the
academic environment of higher education, both in terms of
academic performance and how prepared they feel
 IB graduates tend to pursue and be involved in the kinds of
experiences valued by many institutions (e.g., research
projects)
 IB graduates, regardless of how well they did, tend to perform
well academically.
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Sample Pre-IB Timetable
Grade 9
Semester 1
Grade 9
Semester 2
Grade10
Semester 1
Grade 10
Semester 2
Pre – IB English
Pre – IB
Mathematics
Pre – IB English
Pre- IB French
Pre- IB French
Pre – IB
Science
Pre – IB
Mathematics
Pre – IB
Geography
Religion
Pre – IB
Mathematics
Grade 11
Pre – IB History
Pre – IB Science
Music/Drama/
Visual Art/
Tech/Business
Phys. Ed.
Religion
Arts/Tech/
Phys.Ed/
Business/ Civics
& Careers**
**Careers/Civics (Summer school or on-line as possible option)
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Sample IB Timetable
Grade 11
Semester 1
Grade 11
Semester 2
Grade 12
Semester 1
Grade 12
Semester 2
French
French
(IB Exam)
English
English
(IB Exam)
Math
Math
(IB Exam)
History
History
(IB Exam)
Chemistry or
Biology
Religion/TOK
Chemistry or
Biology
English
History
Chemistry or
Biology
(IB Exam)
Economics or
Physics or
Biology
Economics or
Physics or Biology
(IB Exam)
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Application Process
Grade 9
a)
Submission of the Application Package along with a copy of Grade 8
Progress Report, and Grade 7 Final Report Card by November 26nd,
2014
b) Completion of the Canadian Achievement Test (CAT) Version 4. The
CAT is a testing system that assesses the essential learning
outcomes of the following basic skill areas: reading, writing, and
mathematics. The CAT will be written at St. Thomas Aquinas on
Saturday, November 22nd at 9:00 A.M. The cost of the test is
$30.00.
c)
Submission of Grade 8 February Report Card.
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Program Fees
Grade 9: $250
Grade 10: $350
Grade 11: $600 (includes the cost of 2 IB Exams)
Grade 12: $1,000 (includes the cost of 4 IB Exams)
Fees are used to provide resources and training specific to the
IB Program
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Questions?
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Contact Us
Email: crowellj@hcdsb.org
Website: sta.hcdsb.org/IB
Twitter: @STAOakville
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staoakville
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