In a city as diverse as Dubai, you are bound to find a curriculum that suits you and your child’s needs. Deciding on a curriculum is one of the most important decisions you will make when looking for a new school to get your child started in, or even if you are looking to change schools. Consistency is everything, which is why deciding on a curriculum early on can make moving between schools quite effortless. The last thing a parent wants is for their child to be held back a grade because of frequent curriculum changes. In our May issue, we gave you your guide to the American curriculum and in August, we discussed the British curriculum. In this issue, we have compiled a list of things to keep in mind about the IB Programme.
Founded in 1968, The International Baccalaureate Organisation is an international education system headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The IB offers four educational programmes for children between the ages of 3 and 19. These programmes include Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma programme and Career-related programme. All four programmes follow the IB learner profile, which requires students to be thinkers, communicators, balanced, reflective and many others. Schools that offer the IB Programme must primarily offer it in either English, French or Spanish. The IB programme was initially seen as the ideal programme for students who moved schools regularly due to working parents. However, it is now seen as the educational golden-standard around the world, with university admission officers claiming that it is “the top passport to international education”.
Students between the ages of 3 and 12 start with the Primary Years Programme. Although the programme prepares students for the Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite. The six subject areas include mathematics, language, social studies, art, science and physical education. Students are also required to study a second language. Students between the ages of 11 and 16 move onto the Middle Years Programme, which includes eight subjects areas including language acquisition, language and literature, individuals and societies, mathematics, design, arts, sciences, and physical education. Students are also required to take a second language, a computer course and an elective in art, dance, music or media.
After completing the Middle Years Programme, students between the ages of 17 and 19 are then allowed to choose between pursuing the Diploma Programme or the newly-introduced Career-related programme. Students who choose the Diploma Programme will be required to complete tests in six subjects (Math, language and literature, language acquisition, sciences, arts, individuals and societies) and three core requirements in Creativity Activity and Service, The Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. However, students who choose the Career-related Programme will be required to study at least two Diploma Programme courses, career-related studies, and CP Core, which includes language development, service learning, professional skills, and a reflective project. Both of these programmes are taken by students in their last two years of study.
Dubai’s top IB Schools include:
Uptown School
Get a world-class International Baccalaureate education for your child at Uptown School. Visit the spacious campus in Mirdif with over 14 acres of landscaped grounds, fully equipped classrooms, laboratories, swimming pools, sports fields and much more.
Meet their students who are active, enquiring learners, and empathic considerate contributors to their community. The IB curriculum emphasises the need for action and they challenge their students to delve deeply into issues affecting both themselves and the world in which they live.
Their teachers are trained IB practitioners and dedicated to helping children discover and shape their dreams. They understand that engaging and motivating students in their own learning is essential and that instilling self-belief is the first step to success in life.
Email Admissions@uptownschool.ae, call 04-2515001 ext 201 / 210 or visit uptownschooldubai.com.
Jumeira Baccalaureate School
Jumeira Baccalaureate School is an established IB school in the heart of Dubai, where young people thrive, learn and succeed.
From PreK all the way to Grade 12, the IB curriculum provides students with a world-class, inquiry-based learning experience that is linked to real life examples, enabling young people to be prepared for a future that is constantly changing. JBS is fully authorised to offer the four International Baccalaureate programmes; the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP).
With 85 different nationalities on campus, internationalism is at the heart of the school and they celebrate this through the use of home languages, celebrations and learning that acknowledges gender, linguistic and cultural perspectives. The IB curriculum furthermore enables students to develop moral values, and display kindness, courage, respect and integrity towards each other and the world around them.
A 100% pass rate in both the IB Diploma and Career-related Programme, as well as JBS student’s outstanding above global average IB Diploma point score of 32, reflect the strength of the programme at JBS.
In the pursuit of the highest academic standards through their IB programmes, JBS provides a caring and supportive atmosphere, which will allow children to thrive academically, socially and emotionally with each individual talent being nurtured and celebrated.
Call 04-3446931 Ext 205/209 or visit www.jbschool.ae, email admissions@jbschool.ae.
With thanks to Nada Ramadan.