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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

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Class of 2024 IB Diploma Programme 

Beaumont School achieved International Baccalaureate (IB) World School status in 2017 and is the only all-girls high school in Northeast Ohio offering the IB Diploma Programme. The IB for All aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

Our close-knit diverse family and our commitment to exceptional academic performance, small classroom sizes, and the rich curriculum of the IB creates a truly transformative global education for students. All of Beaumont's educators use the IB framework to design curriculum and every student has the opportunity and is encouraged to take an IB-level course.  Some students take one or several IB courses in their favorite subjects. And whether you take just a single class, or work through the full two-year program toward the IB Diploma, you’ll learn to think deeply and critically.


IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an extraordinary and challenging two-year curriculum for junior and senior years.  The DP structures and balances rigorous academic work that will push students outside the classroom into community service, creativity, and physical activity. Combining intellectual exploration with hands-on independent projects, the DP prepares students for college success and engaged global citizenship.

THREE COMPONENTS OF THE IB DIPLOMA:

  • THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (TOK)
    This class explores the question of how we know what we claim to know. Students show what they have learned by giving an oral presentation and developing a 1,600-word essay.

  • EXTENDED ESSAY
    Students learn the fundamentals of conducting independent research--and how to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge. Students select a topic of personal interest and share findings in a 4,000-word essay.

  • CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE (CAS)
    An opportunity for students to deepen--and reflect on--their learning by pairing their studies with extracurricular, community service, and athletic activities. Their work is measured against the IB's learning outcomes, such as working collaboratively, undertaking a new challenge, and demonstrating an understanding of global issues.

"IB cultivates caring, inquiring, internationally-minded and service-oriented young people, which aligns with our Ursuline mission." - Simon Masters, IB Coordinator and Science Teacher

Frequentley Asked Questions

What is the history of International Baccalaureate?

Founded by educators in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968, International Baccalaureate was created to provide a consistent, high-quality educational program for international families. Over the years, its applicability and value for students of all backgrounds have led to adoption by schools all over the world. Only schools that have been thoroughly vetted by the International Baccalaureate Organization can earn official designation as International Baccalaureate World Schools. Currently, there are 2,600 International Baccalaureate World Schools in 134 countries. There are 20 International Baccalaureate World Schools in the state of Ohio, and only three in Northeast Ohio. 

Why is International Baccalaureate a good fit for Beaumont School?

At its core, the IB creates a better world through education. This aligns perfectly with our Ursuline mission and charism of being lifelong learners. As a Catholic school rooted in the Ursuline tradition, we too seek to create a more peaceful world and believe that education focuses on building the skills and talents one has been blessed with to change the world.

How does the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme differ from Advanced Placement?

They differ from course to course, but are always highly regarded, typically providing study in much greater depth, and expecting assimilation of information and, especially, an ability to apply that information. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme requires students to develop proficiency in six areas: native language, a second language, social studies, the sciences, mathematics, and the arts. Diploma Candidates engage in the creativity, action, service component requires students to learn actively through the experience of performing real-world tasks. 

What courses do IB students take?

Students who choose the IB Diploma Programme complete 6 courses focused on Language and Literature (English), Language Acquisition (foreign language), Mathematics, Experimental Sciences, Individuals and Societies (social studies), and the Arts.  Students must also complete an extended essay, an in-depth research project relating to one of the six courses they take; Theory of Knowledge, a seventh academic course that ties together the other academic disciplines and serves as a capstone class; and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) hours, which require involvement in athletics, clubs and volunteerism.

What is the Extended Essay?

The Extended Essay is a 4,000 word piece of original research conducted by each IB Diploma candidate. It is completed between the second semester of junior year and first semester of senior year. The student researches and writes on a topic of his/her choosing, and has an Extended Essay Advisor, as well as a Faculty Coach to help with the essay. 

What is Theory of Knowledge?

Theory of Knowledge, or TOK, is a seminar-type course that explores the linkages between subject areas (courses). It is part existential, philosophical, psychological and metaphysical. It, also, is taken between second semester junior year and first semester senior year. Students submit a presentation-exhibition and reflective paper, in order to successfully complete the course.

What is CAS?

CAS stands for Creativity-Action-Service. In order to successfully complete the IB Diploma Program, each student must have documented 150 hours of after-school activities (during junior & senior year) that are evenly split among creative, action, and service oriented endeavors. Every student has a CAS Advisor, and reflects on learnings from the endeavors.

What is the average amount of time one should expect to spend on homework each night in IB? 

 From one to four hours per night: your study style is your own, but it is advisable to exercise good time-management skills.

How many IB exams are there, and when do students take them?

A student will take six IB exams, including one literature course, one foreign language, one social science, one experimental science, one math, and one arts course. The arts course can be replaced by a second social science, a second experimental science, or a third language. Of the six exams, three are taken at the standard level, and three taken at the higher level.  IB students are expected to take their examinations at the conclusion of the 2 year Diploma Program. However, the IBO permits students to take one or two standard level examinations at the end of junior year, upon the recommendation of the school's IB Coordinator. Higher level exams can only be taken at the end of the senior year.

How do I access my IB results?

Students can expect to receive their PIN numbers in late November.  PIN numbers are used to access all IB results.  Here are the steps and timeline for results

How do we decide which SL and HL courses to take?

Read the information provided on the website regarding courses and curriculum, consider your strengths and weaknesses, confer with your teachers and counselor, IB upperclassmen, parents, your diploma coordinator, and consider your college & career options.   

 Do all students who attempt the IB Program earn the IB Diploma?

100% of the Beaumont School IB Candidates earned the IB Diploma in 2023. Approximately 15% of Beaumont seniors are enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme.

The IB Program sounds like a lot of extra work. What are the advantages of enrolling in the IB Program?

Students with IB Diplomas, who now attend universities, report that their involvement with IB has given them the tools needed to succeed at university and to make the most of their post-secondary education. In particular, students comment on their sense of preparedness, their self-confidence, their research skills, their ability to manage their time, and their willingness to be actively engaged in their own learning. Even more importantly, they have developed a sense of the world around them, their responsibility to it, and the skills with which to embrace the complexities of life. The IBO often employs a variety of phrases to describe these traits and abilities: "learning how to learn," "life-long learners," "critical and compassionate thinkers," and, "informed participants in local and world affairs.

Can my daughter take IB classes without enrolling in the IB Diploma Programme?

Yes. Students may enroll in certain IB courses without being in the IB Diploma Programme. At Beaumont, every student has the opportunity and is encouraged to take at least one IB course. 

Can an IB exam be taken without having taken the course?

No. Part of the student's final grade comes from work done in the classroom also known as internal assessments or IAs.

Is there an extra cost for my daughter to participate in the IB Programme?

Although there is no additional cost in tuition for your daughter to be an IB student, registration and tests fees will be incurred by the family at the IB exams. Typically, registration and test fees are charged at the beginning of the senior year. The fee structure is as follows: The IB Diploma Program (DP) fee is split into two payments assessed with the student’s junior and senior year enrollment agreements.  The IB DP fee covers the student’s exam costs.  If your student is enrolled in one or more IB classes and is not in the Diploma Program, individual class test fees will be assessed around November 15 of the examination year.  Any changes between November 15 and January 15 in the year of the examination will incur 50% of the cost of the exam fee from IB.  After January 15 of the examination year, fees are non-refundable and any changes after January 15 of the year of the examination will incur a $150 change fee from IB

Who should enroll in the IB Diploma Programme and how will DP students be supported?

We welcome any student who wishes to challenge herself with a rigorous academic program that will prepare her for lifelong learning. IB Diploma students must complete a math course requirement to be eligible.