The International Baccalaureate® Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit organization that serves students from ages 3-19 around the world. There are more than 4,000 IB schools in the world with more than 1,700 in the United States.
The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to success and build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Why the IB is different
IB programs aim to do more than other curricula by developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. The IB strives to develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect.
IB program frameworks can operate effectively with national curricula at all ages; more than 50% of IB World Schools are state-funded.
The IB’s programs are different from other curricula because they:
- encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions;
- develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools;
- encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts;
- develop multilingual students.
The IB Learner Profile
The IB learner profile describes a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. They imply a commitment to help all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.
Each of the IB’s programs is committed to the development of students according to the IB learner profile.
The profile aims to develop learners who are:
They nurture their curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. They know how to learn independently and with others. They learn with enthusiasm and sustain their love of learning throughout life.
They develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. They engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
They use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. They exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
They express themselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. They collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. They take responsibility for their actions and their consequences.
They critically appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. They seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
They show empathy, compassion and respect. They have a commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around them.
They approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; they work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. They are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
They understand the importance of balancing different aspects of their lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for themselves and others. They recognize their interdependence with other people and with the world in which they live.
They thoughtfully consider the world and their own ideas and experience. They work to understand their strengths and weaknesses in order to support their learning and personal development.
The IB Mission Statement
The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
