High school curriculum
We have chosen to offer the International Baccalaureate because it is one of the most recognized and respected school-leaving diplomas in the world.
We have chosen to offer the International Baccalaureate because it is one of the most recognized and respected school-leaving diplomas in the world.
Created to meet the needs of internationally mobile students, the IB is now offered in over 5,000 schools across more than 150 countries and followed by over two million students worldwide. The IB enjoys official recognition from the most selective universities in Europe, the United Kingdom, North America, and internationally, which praise the academic rigor of the diploma, the stringent assessment methods, and the intellectual maturity of its graduates. Organized by the International Baccalaureate Organization, an independent, non-profit organization, the IB is a global benchmark for families seeking a demanding, transparent, and internationally recognized educational path.
The last three years of schooling are among the most pivotal periods in a student's academic journey. The second year of high school (10th grade) allows the teaching staff to guide students by broadening their horizons and helping them refine their interests. The following two years allow for in-depth study of chosen subjects with rigor, the development of genuine intellectual maturity, and the beginning of shaping the academic and personal paths that will open up after graduation. It is also a crucial time for personal growth, a time for forging lasting friendships and shaping the identity of the future university student.
At Concordia, students are supported in reaching their highest academic level while fully developing their chosen specialization. They are encouraged to seize the many opportunities available to them and to approach the university application and guidance process with confidence and clarity.
Concordia is currently engaged in the application process to become an IB candidate institution and thus offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
At Concordia, we believe that the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program represents one of the most rigorous and well-rounded preparations for university study and life beyond school. This two-year program is widely recognized for its academic depth, intellectual challenge and international perspective.
More than an examination system, the IB is built on a strong educational philosophy rooted in inquiry, critical thinking and global citizenship. It is designed to develop not only academic excellence, but also the values and dispositions that characterise thoughtful, responsible and engaged learners.
The IB rests on a number of key principles:
- Students should be literate and numerate, scientifically curious and linguistically agile;
- Education should extend beyond examinations, nurturing creativity through the arts, well-being through physical activity, and compassion through service;
- Schools should promote strong values, including academic honesty, integrity, open-mindedness and international understanding.
At Concordia, every student is encouraged to be curious, creative and critically aware, and to explore their full potential.
We are currently in the process of applying for IB authorisation and working closely towards offering the IB Diploma Programme at Concordia.
The Learner Profile serves as a compass for all aspects of the IB, making it a coherent experience. It offers a vision of the ‘whole student’ and is focused on ten key characteristics of ‘lifelong learners’.
IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers
They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable
They explore concepts, ideas, and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thinkers
They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognise and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators
They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled
They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups, and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open-minded
They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values, and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
They show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk-takers
They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced
They understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
Reflective
They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
