Academics & the IB Diploma

Through classroom and co-curricular learning, our students engage with our rich programs and specialist teachers, who help them to develop skills in critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration.

Students in Grade 9 to 12 have an increasing degree of choice in their course selection as they move up in grades, though all students are required to choose a combination of courses that qualifies them for university entry. The ever-expanding choice of courses includes English, maths, sciences, social sciences, second language options, fine arts, and physical education.

Glenlyon Norfolk School is a non-semestered school. Our courses run from September to June following a ten-day block schedule where the school year is divided into three terms.

In Grades 9 and 10, students cover the BC provincial curriculum within the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), which is intended to help students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to participate actively and responsibly in a changing and increasingly interrelated world. The culmination of this programme is the Personal Project, an independent study in an area of particular interest or passion.

There are almost as many academic pathways for GNS students in Grades 11 and 12 as there are students. We aim for all students to be able to study courses that will enable them to develop their areas of strength and interests, as well as prepare them to successfully meet their post-secondary goals.

Students can choose to study only IB curriculum courses, a mixture of IB curriculum and Provincial curriculum courses, or to work towards the full IB Diploma. When choosing their pathway, students should consider their own strengths, post-secondary and personal goals, work-life balance and learning needs.

All students who complete the requirements to graduate Grade 12 in BC receive a Dogwood Diploma. To also receive an IB Diploma from the International Baccalaureate Organization, students must complete the requirements stipulated by the IBO.