International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is one of the world's most respected pre-university courses of study. At The Dwight School, four-fifths of the junior and senior classes take the full Diploma Program, although it is open to all students. The powerful components of the Dwight IB Program include concurrent learning across six subject areas and consistent, high academic standards. The Program requires of all students good study habits, an open mind, and an ability to plan ahead.
The IB Diploma provides graduating seniors with multiple tools to approach study in college and beyond.
The full Diploma Program requires that students take six academic courses per day for two years. These subjects are carefully chosen from six major areas:
- Language A1 (Native language)
- Language B (Second language)
- Social science (History, Business & management)
- Laboratory science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems or Design Technology)
- Mathematics
- The Arts (Theatre, Visual Arts, or Music)
In addition, all students perform significant community service, participate in a two-year theory of knowledge philosophy course, and prepare an original research essay of 4000 words. Most of the IB courses are of two-year duration: breadth is not sacrificed for depth.
The IB Diploma provides graduating seniors with multiple tools to approach study in college and beyond. The IB Diploma gives students a global perspective, ensuring that they will be ready to enter the world’s marketplace with competence, good questions, and a respect for other cultures. Multiple forms of assessment allow students a broad range of access to the Diploma Program.
Colleges and universities recognize the Diploma Program as superior preparation, and all Diploma Program courses are viewed as Honors courses. Students routinely receive advanced placement and/or college credit for their examination results. Students not taking the full IB Diploma may still take up the challenge of individual IB courses and be eligible for college credit.
Unique offerings:
- Foreign languages taught: Dutch, French, Spanish, Latin, German, Italian, Japanese, Hebrew, Chinese, Arabic, Russian
- Native language study – students can continue the study of numerous native languages in a ‘self-taught’ program
- IB Business and Management - a study of microeconomics and organizational management
- IB Design Technology - Applications of technology and engineering for art and science students
- Theory of Knowledge – Raises questions such as: What is truth in each discipline? What are different ways of knowing related to discipline or culture?
- Creativity, Action and Service – limitless opportunities to show leadership in action
- Annual Carnegie Hall performance by students enrolled in IB Visual Arts, Theatre Arts and Music
- School Exchange Programs
