Our IB Advantage
Diploma Programme
What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a globally recognized curriculum that encourages students to take ownership of their learning and develop critical thinking skills. It also promotes intercultural understanding and respect by teaching students to question and appreciate diverse perspectives.
At GNS, this exciting curriculum is available to students in Grades 11 and 12 in the Senior School who have the desire, commitment and interest to participate. The IB Diploma represents a complete philosophy of pre-university education. The structure is designed to meet certain needs, which are highly advantageous now, in post-secondary and in life.
The IB Diploma Programme at GNS is highly customizable as you have the opportunity to select six subjects unique to your interests. Over the two years of the programme, you will study literature, mathematics, at least one science, at least one subject from the Individuals and Societies group, and a second language. When selecting your courses, you can choose the subjects that emphasize your strengths and passions to suit your unique pathway.
The IB Diploma Programme at GNS
Glenlyon Norfolk School has been authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme School since 1996. Over that time, there has been a lot of change in education. Still, the one thing that has remained consistent is the commitment of the International Baccalaureate Organization to always be at the forefront of those changes. For our school and our families, this is exciting as it means we are able to offer an enriched internationally-recognized curriculum that educates the whole student.
When you look at the IB Diploma Programme at GNS, there are three reasons it stands out:
- The support that we offer our students and their families is unparalleled. GNS is a tight-knit community where staff and students really take care of each other. We are always striving to refine and polish our program so that it best meets the needs of our students and best supports them to be academically and personally successful.
- GNS offers an incredible breadth of courses delivered by a highly experienced and caring faculty. Our teachers serve as examiners, teacher trainers, and curriculum leaders for the International Baccalaureate Organization.
- At GNS, we are committed to ensuring that when our students leave us that they have acquired high-calibre communication, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills so that they are prepared for whatever life has to offer and they are ready to take on the world.
What Are the Components of the IB Diploma Program?
List of 2 items.
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IB Diploma Subject Options
The IB Diploma Programme comprises six subjects studied over two years. One subject must be selected from each of the six subject groups representing the major academic fields- Group 1: Studies in Language & Literature
- English Literature
- English Language and Literature
- School-supported Self-taught (e.g. Chinese) (SL)
- Group 2: Language Acquisition
- Chinese
- French
- Spanish
- Spanish ab initio (SL)
- Group 3: Individuals & Societies
- Economics (SL)
- Global Politics
- History
- Group 4: Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Systems & Societies (SL)
- Physics
- Group 5: Mathematics
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
- Group 6: The Arts or a second course from Group 3 or 4
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
Of the six subjects chosen, three must be studied at Higher Level (240 hours over two years) and three at Standard Level (150 hours over two years). - Group 1: Studies in Language & Literature
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The Core of the IB Diploma
A unique characteristic of the IB Diploma Programme, and in many ways the most valuable, is the extension of learning beyond the normal range of classroom subjects. In addition to the six examination subjects, full Diploma students pursue three further requirements:- Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)
- The Extended Essay (EE)
- Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
Glenlyon Norfolk School
Junior School (JK to Grade 5)
Middle (Grade 6 to 8) and Senior (Grade 9 to 12) Schools
We wish to acknowledge and respect the Lekwungen-Speaking Peoples on whose traditional territory we stand, and the Songhees, Esquimalt and Wsáneć Peoples whose historical relationships with the land, where we live, work, play and learn, continue to this day.
