As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your child get the best education possible. For many families, this means choosing one of the best international schools in Singapore that offers internationally-recognized curricula that prepare students to excel in higher education. There are several options to choose from. One that stands out from the rest is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). It offers a holistic approach that equips students to thrive at university and in other areas of life. Here’s an overview of the many benefits of this highly-renowned framework and how Global Indian International School is ideally-equipped to implement this curriculum.
What Is the IBDP and Why Is It Globally-Recognised?
The IB Diploma Programme is a curriculum for students aged 16-19 who have completed Grade 10, O Level courses or an equivalent programme. Students take courses in six subject groups:
● Studies in language and literature
● Language acquisition
● Individuals and societies
● Science
● Mathematics
● The arts
Additionally, core components of the IBDP are intended to complement what students learn in the classroom.
● Theory of Knowledge (ToK) – Students explore and reflect on how they know what they know.
● Extended Essay (EE) – Students carry out a self-directed research project, which culminates in a 4,000-word paper.
● Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – Students complete a project related to these three elements.
Upon completing the IBDP, students take examinations to determine how well they met the programme’s goals. According to the International Baccalaureate Organization standards, these exams are assessed on a scale of 1 to 7 (with 7 being the best. Successful completion of the EE and ToK can contribute up to 3 more points toward a student’s DP score, for the highest possible total of 45. To complete the programme successfully, students should aim for a total score of at least 35.
This school curriculum supports all aspects of students’ academic and personal growth and has a reputation for going above and beyond to prepare students for higher education. Research shows that, worldwide, Diploma Programme graduates reported better self-management and independent inquiry skills than their non-DP counterparts. This approach has also been shown to promote open-mindedness and globally-orientated thinking.
In another study, IBDP graduates in the UK were more likely than their non-IBDP peers to enroll in top universities and attain high honors. Additionally, a 2013 survey revealed that 72% of IBDP students in China attended the world’s most prestigious universities. According to an analysis of the USA, UK and Canada, the extended essay component of the IBDP had a positive impact on how post-secondary students approached learning.
What Are the Benefits of the IBDP?
The IBDP is rooted in ten key traits that prepare students for lifelong learning and success.
1. Inquiry – Students satisfy their natural curiosity by asking questions, which guide them in conducting research. Whether they are working independently or collaboratively, this approach sets the stage for meaningful learning.
2. Knowledge – Students develop their conceptual understanding and apply it across a range of subjects. By exploring knowledge in real-world contexts, learners explore issues of local, national and global significance.
3. Thinking – Students expand their critical and creative thinking skills to find concrete solutions to complex problems. Then, they take responsible, ethical steps to solve those problems.
4. Communication – Students learn to express themselves in more than one language and through various other means, such as writing and the performing arts. They listen to and learn from different perspectives and viewpoints.
5. Principles – The IBDP instils universal values such as integrity and fairness, emphasizing respecting the dignity of every human being.
6. Open-Mindedness – Students gain a deeper understanding of their personal and cultural identity and an appreciation for those of others, even when those perspectives differ from their own.
7. Caring – Through acts of service, students discover how they can develop greater compassion and respect for others and impact the world around them.
8. Risk-Taking – Students learn to approach uncertainty with confidence, determination and well-thought-out strategies. Thus, they learn resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity or challenge.
9. Balance – Recognizing their relationship to the world around them, students learn how to live a balanced life. Toward that end, the IBDP supports intellectual development as well as physical and emotional well-being.
10. Reflection – Students seek to identify their strengths and weaknesses so that they can develop effective learning strategies. They also consider the ways their ideas and experiences influence how they connect with the world around them.
The IBDP is a well-rounded approach that gives students the skills to solve problems creatively, acquire, analyse and present information, and respect cultural differences — skill sets essential in our constantly-changing, increasingly diverse society.
How Do the Facilities at GIIS Complement the IBDP?
The facilities at Global Indian International School are ideally suited to implementing the IBDP. We provide an engaging, technology-rich environment that empowers students to set high goals and take on new challenges. Here’s a look at how our campuses align with this dynamic curriculum.
● Versatile Learning Spaces – Designed to promote free, creative thinking individuals, these areas serve as the backdrop for various collaborative projects. Multipurpose learning spaces encourage outside-the-classroom team-building, communication and collaboration, vital 21st-century skills. Rooms come with TV screens and flexible seating capacities.
● Studios – Our SMART campus features more than 40 studios where students can cultivate skills and interests beyond the traditional classroom. Our culinary centre and TV and radio station are among our most popular studios. At these “talent hubs,” classes are led by experts in various fields, who teach valuable skills that can lead to rewarding careers. Our studios have earned us a reputation as one of the most futuristic schools in the world.
● Sports Facilities – Since our comprehensive framework includes an emphasis on physical development and well-being, sports are an integral part of student life at GIIS. Athletics are crucial not only for promoting physical fitness, but also critical and quick thinking, strategizing and teamwork. Our campus facilities include indoor and outdoor space for various sports, such as badminton, basketball, and cricket.
● State-of-the-Art Classrooms – Our digital classrooms and IT lab enable students to engage effectively and responsibly with technology. Apple- and wi-fi-enabled TVs in our SMART classrooms allow students to display classwork, sync their mobile devices and even connect with other classrooms. Similarly, our library provides students with a plethora of resources for conducting research. To ensure our students have the tools to meet our rigorous science courses’ requirements, we provide separate laboratories for physics, chemistry, and biology. Students also have access to a mathematics lab.
At GIIS, implementing the IBDP has been met with overwhelming success. We introduced the programme in 2005. Since then, we’ve had 14 students who attained “world topper” status (a perfect diploma score). We also had another two dozen students achieve near-perfect scores. Our students have gained admission to many of the world’s leading universities — The London School of Economics, Oxford University, National University of Singapore, National Institutes of Technology (India) and the University of California at Berkeley, to name a few.
If you’d like to learn more about the IBDP at GIIS or explore our vibrant campuses, contact us to schedule a tour.
Team GIIS
Team GIIS is a group of enthusiastic writers who bring the vibrant world of GIIS Singapore to life through engaging blog posts. Dedicated to highlighting the school’s teaching methodology, innovative learning environment, and diverse curriculum options like IB, Cambridge and CBSE, they aim to connect with parents, educators and students, sharing insights and stories that inspire and inform the school community.
