St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School IB Diploma Programme

1. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School IB Diploma Programme

2. IB: An Education for Life • Founded in 1968 for internationally mobile students • Focus on the whole person • International perspective • Responsible citizenship • Critical and compassionate thinkers • Informed participants in local and international affairs • Respectful of other cultures and attitudes

3. International Baccalaureate Community • Over 2,400 schools • Over 665,000 students • In 130 countries (122 schools in Canada offering Diploma Programme) • 70,000 teachers plus parents, staff, examiners and other colleagues • Integration with Grade 11 and 12 Ontario Curriculum and Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

4. What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme? • demanding pre-university enriched course of study based on a set of international standards • emphasizes critical, compassionate thinking • highly motivated students, 16 to 19 (Grades 11 and 12) • rigorous assessment - access to the world’s leading universities • academic experience - critical thinking, community involvement, intercultural understanding

5. IB Course Offerings Grades 11 and 12 • Group 1 – Literature (English) • Group 2 – Second Language • (French, Spanish) • Group 3 – Individuals and Society (History, Economics) • Group 4 –Experimental Sciences • (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) • Group 5 – Mathematics • (Math, Math Studies) • Group 6 – The Arts (Music)

6. Central Elements of the IB Diploma Extended Essay (EE) • 4,000 word investigation of a topic of special interest outside of the regular curriculum which acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities. Theory of Knowledge (ToK) • Challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to develop the ability to analyze evidence and to appreciate other cultural perspectives. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) • 120 – 150 hours reflective/experiential learning completed in grades 11 and 12.

7. Success Rate for Canadian Students Ontario students have the highest success rate in all of Canada, with 92% of all students achieving the IB Diploma

8. Success Rate for Canadian Students Ontario students have the highest success rate in all of Canada, with 92% of all students achieving the IB Diploma

9. Success Rate for Aquinas Students 2013-2014 Results • 100% of STA Students achieved their IB Diploma • Overall Average Number of Diploma Points: 31; Global Average: 29.9 • Average Mark in English: 5.67* (including 1 mark of 7); Global Average: 4.78. • Average Mark in Math for STA: 5.13* (including 2 marks of 7); Global Average: 4.48. * Corresponds to an Ontario Mark between 84-92%

10. Testimonials from STA IB Students • “I took the IB program because I wanted to challenge myself. I’d say that I am not as anxious about university than I would have otherwise been not just because of the knowledge I now possess but also because of the work-study ethic and skills I have developed through the help of this program, which include but are not limited to research, analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills.” – MaameYaaBrako, 2014 STA IB Graduate • Attending McGill University Biological, Biomedical, and Life Sciences Program. • Earned 3 university transfer credits

11. Testimonials from STA IB Students • "I would describe my IB experience as challenging. The IB programme challenged me to become a globally-minded individual and to develop my critical thinking skills. It is a rigorous academic programme, however, (my) determination coupled with the efforts of my incredible mentors made the IB a rewarding experience.“ – Chantelle Colangelo, 2014 STA IB Graduate • Attending Dalhousie University Global Development and pre-Law Program • Earned 4 university transfer credits • Earned $25000 scholarship based on IB marks

12. What does IB offer the student? • high academic standards • prepares for the rigors of post-secondary education • educates the whole person • students appreciate cultures and attitudes other than their own and to be informed, tolerant and be willing to communicate with others • The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.  

13. Universityrecognition • The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the world to gain recognition for the IB diploma: • Direct online access for university admissions officers and government officials to syllabuses and recent examination papers • A database of university admission policies on www.ibo.org • Recognition in over 100 countries • Recognition by over 2,000 universities • Most universities offer scholarships and advanced placement for IB students (e.g., first-year credits, second-year standing)

14. 2013 Poll of US/UK Admissions Officers

15. IB Learner Profile • Inquirers – independent learners who enjoy learning • Knowledgeable – explore concepts, ideas and issues • Thinkers – apply thinking skills critically and creatively • Communicators – understand and express ideas • Brave– approach unfamiliar situations • Principled – recognize universal human rights • Caring – empathy, compassion and respect for others • Open-minded – perspectives, values and traditions other than their own • Well-balanced – physical and mental balance • Reflective – thoughtful consideration-learning and personal development

16. Canadian Universities and IB

17. Recent UBC Research on IB • UBC – entrance average 88% - highly competitive • Top post-secondary destination for IB students in the world (10% of 1st year students come from IB programmes worldwide) • Have begun tracking progress of IB students compared to traditional high-school students (e.g., gathering data on academic performance; how well students feel they are prepared for university, etc.)

18. Academic Findings • UBC has recently recalibrated their entrance policy for IB students to reflect the superior academic performance these students have demonstrated at UBC Summary of Research • IB graduates tend to be better prepared to adjust to the academic environment of higher education, both in terms of academic performance and how prepared they feel • IB graduates tend to pursue and be involved in the kinds of experiences valued by many institutions (e.g., research projects) • IB graduates, regardless of how well they did, tend to perform well academically.

19. Sample Pre-IB Timetable **Careers/Civics (Summer school or on-line as possible option)

20. Sample IB Timetable

21. Application Process Grade 9 • Submission of the Application Package along with a copy of Grade 8 Progress Report, and Grade 7 Final Report Card by November 26nd, 2014 • Completion of the Canadian Achievement Test (CAT) Version 4. The CAT is a testing system that assesses the essential learning outcomes of the following basic skill areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. The CAT will be written at St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday, November 22nd at 9:00 A.M. The cost of the test is $30.00. • Submission of Grade 8 February Report Card.

22. Program Fees • Grade 9: $250 • Grade 10: $350 • Grade 11: $600 (includes the cost of 2 IB Exams) • Grade 12: $1,000 (includes the cost of 4 IB Exams) • Fees are used to provide resources and training specific to the IB Program

23. Questions?

24. Contact Us • Email: crowellj@hcdsb.org • Website: sta.hcdsb.org/IB • Twitter: @STAOakville • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staoakville