International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
Select a topic below to learn more about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the IBDP Prep experience and how students progress through the program.
How It Works: Empowering Your Mind. Shaping Our World
The IBDP is built around an interdisciplinary framework designed to nurture the empowered global citizen. This is the complete, interconnected experience.
Students take six subjects across diverse disciplines, ranging from languages and sciences to individuals and societies, ensuring a well-rounded education.
Alongside their coursework, students engage with the unique Diploma Programme Core:
Theory of Knowledge
Exploring how we know what we know.
Extended Essay
An independent piece of Research and Inquiry on a topic of the student's choice.
Creativity, Activity, Service
Real-world experiences that build leadership and confidence outside the classroom.
The Details: IBDP Prep
The Academic Delivery
Once enrolled, students take the Grade 9 or 10 Ontario Curriculum course (e.g., Grade 9 De-streamed Science or Grade 10 Academic English).
They learn and are assessed on the same provincial curriculum material as their peers, but the teacher builds in extensions, such as driving building skills in research and inquiry, introducing interdisciplinary connections, and encouraging students to examine localized topics through a broader global lens.
Earning the Ontario Credit
Students earn their Ontario secondary school credits just like any other student. They are evaluated and graded solely against Ontario provincial standards.
Their report card reflects high school-level expectations, meaning their grades are protected and not held to a formal International Baccalaureate benchmark during these foundational years.
Core Skill Accumulation
The primary goal of the Prep years is the holistic development of "habits of mind." Students focus intensely on nurturing personal growth, building academic confidence, and developing effective time-management and reflective skills.
They are coached in analyzing real-world issues and managing a balanced workload, reducing academic shock when they transition to senior-level courses.
The Seamless Transition
With a strong foundation built, students exit the IBDP Prep phase ready to select their formal Grade 11 and 12 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme courses.
They move into the senior division, possessing the academic stamina, critical awareness, and connected critical thinking skills needed to thrive as empowered global citizens.
Schools Offering IBDP Prep
Select a school below to visit the school's website and learn more about its International Baccalaureate programming.
The Details: IBDP
The Subject Framework
To build a truly interdisciplinary foundation, diploma students choose a total of six subjects. They select one course from each of the core IB discipline groups:
For their sixth subject, students can choose an Arts course or an additional elective from the other groups. This deliberate breadth ensures they graduate as well-rounded, empowered global citizens.
Standard Level (SL) vs. Higher Level (HL)
Within those six choices, students have the opportunity to customize their academic intensity by selecting courses at two different levels of depth.
Standard Level
Designed to give students a comprehensive, high-quality understanding of the subject.
150 teaching hours over 2 semestersSL courses focus on core concepts, allowing students to explore diverse fields while maintaining a balanced workload.
Higher Level
Designed for students who want to dive deep into their areas of passion or future university specialization.
240 teaching hours over 3 semestersHL courses cover additional advanced content and demand a greater degree of research and inquiry.
The Workload Balance: The "3 and 3" Rule
To earn the IB Diploma, students must strike a specific balance in their schedule. The standard requirement is to choose:
Higher Level (HL)
Standard Level (SL)
This framework allows students to build specialized expertise in the subjects they love most, while still maintaining the essential global breadth of the program.
Completing the Full Framework: The DP Core
Alongside their six academic subjects, students pursuing the diploma complete the three core components that tie the entire IB experience together.
Through the Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge course, and the community-minded CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) framework, students undergo profound personal growth and build the lifelong confidence and leadership skills to apply their knowledge in the real world.
Schools Offering IBDP
Select a school below to visit the school's website and learn more about its International Baccalaureate programming.
How to Apply
All students interested in IBDP Prep or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) are encouraged to apply.
In keeping with the philosophy of all IB World Schools, the IBDP is designed to be accessible and open to any secondary student who wishes to pursue the IB Diploma.
Submit an Application
Students interested in IBDP Prep or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme are encouraged to apply.
Applications and Capacity
All students who apply to the IBDP Prep program will be accepted, provided space is available.
If applications exceed the school's capacity, a randomized selection process will be used.
Selection and Waitlist
Eligible applicants will be assigned computer-generated numbers until all spaces are filled.
Students not selected will also receive a random number and be placed on the IBDP Prep waitlist. This process is coordinated centrally by the Board rather than by individual schools.
