A Day in the Life of an IB Student at a Private Online High School
May 23, 2025
by Caroline Crosson Gilpin
The International Baccalaureate is a world-renowned, highly respected academic curriculum for students who seek a challenging education with a global perspective.
Until recently, IB programs were only available in traditional brick and mortar schools.
However, in 2021, Dwight Global Online School, an established and nationally ranked private online school for grades 6-12, was selected by the IB to offer the IB Diploma program online as part of an IB pilot program. Dwight Global offers IB classes and the full IB Diploma Program, a two-year program for Grades 11 and 12.
Dwight Global’s IBDP students interact with peers and teachers worldwide, fostering a global classroom environment.
At Dwight Global, classes are offered from early morning to late evening to accommodate students living all over the world. Student-athletes and performing artists need scheduling flexibility to train, travel and compete. Other Dwight Global students live in remote places lacking rigorous academic programs, or prefer the continuity of online school because they travel often with their families.
Let’s chat with Diana Lamarche ‘26, who joined Dwight Global in January 2025 after moving from Bangladesh back to her home country of the Dominican Republic.
How did you come to Dwight Global?
My focus is academics. I had to move back to the Dominican Republic in the middle of the school year and I looked at local IB schools, but I would have had to repeat a year, or change pretty much all of my classes. The tuition for these schools was also very high, and they didn't offer any financial support.
I never imagined myself in online school and was a bit skeptical at first, but joining Dwight Global allowed me to continue my IB journey without repeating a year. All the staff guided me and supported me through the whole process, answering any questions I had, and I am very grateful for that.
Once I joined, all of my new teachers shared with me a catchup plan so that I could be at the same level as the class. That was very helpful because I knew exactly what I needed to do in completely new courses. Despite feeling a little overwhelmed, I never felt lost. I felt very supported by my teachers throughout the whole process.
What is your typical day like at your online school?
My classes start early around 7 am, and depending on the day, I either finish in the late morning or in the evening. For some classes we take a small amount of time at the start to catch up with one another, which is very nice. Given that school is completely online, those moments are usually the highlight of my classes because I get to talk with my classmates and get to know them better. We do group activities frequently in all of my classes so we are often in breakout rooms, which is another opportunity to socialize.
When it comes to studying, I plan my tasks weekly based on the assignments posted on Canvas. This helps me stay organized and on top of my work. The IB program is very rigorous, and we have a limited amount of class time. I spend around 4 to 5 hours studying everyday, which includes doing my homework and revising for class or any upcoming summatives.
Are you in the IBDP program, or regular IB?
I am doing the full IBDP program, meaning all of my classes are IB courses and I am completing the core requirements. I will be taking the 2026 IB World Exams and hope to get my full diploma.
What do you enjoy about the program and why did you select it?
I chose the IB because, despite its great difficulty, I believe it will open doors for my future. Compared to other programs, I believe the IB can make me a more complete–and therefore competitive–student when it comes to university applications. Given its difficulty, I also hope that experiencing university level workload and learning now will make my transition to university more fluid and less stressful.
How does Dwight Global support your IB learning?
Dwight Global offers us online resources we can use for our research, which is specially useful because for some assignments it is preferable if we use academic sources and these are often found in paid websites. The school gives us access to a lot of them which has made our work and learning easier.
Dwight Global also supports IB students by providing access to tutors on each subject where we may struggle. Most teachers offer extra help if needed and even arrange for optional extra classes to review extra challenging content. All of the classes are recorded, as well, so if I missed a lesson, or would like to review what we discussed I can always go back, which is very helpful.
Diana’s parents say Dwight Global has provided their daughter with a variety of tools that have allowed her to be successful when she moved mid-year to a new country and a new school. “She receives support from her teachers, counselors and tutors when needed, and most of the time she can move forward with the issue,” said Marcial Lamarche.
An Adaptable and Valuable Diploma
Dwight Global’s Director of IB Studies Megan Koepsell said the IB prepares students for university admission and future academic success, and that the IB DP integrates research-based best practices to both teaching and learning.
“Students who excel in the IB Diploma Program are students who are academically curious, wish to study both breadth and depth in content, and can effectively manage their time,” said Koepsell.
Beatrice Badino ‘26, a competitive alpine skier based in Italy, is another such Dwight Global student.
“I selected the online IBDP for its academic rigor and its strong reputation among top colleges worldwide. As an international student, I want to keep as many doors open as possible for my future education, and the IB is recognized not only in the US but also in the UK and across Europe,” said Beatrice.
“I enjoy the program because it allows me to tailor my subject choices to my interests. When pursuing most programs, students have to look for research opportunities outside their academics to stand out to selective colleges. In the IB, the "Extended Essay" is a wonderful and unique opportunity to deeply investigate a topic of choice, while being guided by an advisor in the field. The "Internal Assessment" is another example conducted in all subjects. Additionally, I have the possibility to choose, to a certain extent, the subjects based on preferred interests. For example, as a STEM lover I decided to do my "higher level" courses in Math AA, Physics, and Biology.”
Koepsell notes the IBDP personalization allows students with different strengths to find opportunities to grow. “While the IB is demanding, it is also accessible, inclusive, and adaptable,” she said.
Dwight Global IBDP student and competitive tennis player Gary Jiang ‘26, agrees.
Gary said he enjoys the IBDP for “...everything from the low struggles of exams to the high euphorias of turning in assignments. In grade 10, I wanted to follow my sister's footsteps and take the IBDP. I'm really interested in academics. However, with international trips for tennis tournaments, I would not have been able to survive with the in-person IBDP. I was glad to discover that Dwight Global was one of the few schools that offered the IBDP online.”
Recognized by Colleges and Universities
The most selective universities worldwide recognize IB students as some of the highest performers in their areas of study. IB graduates apply to nearly 4,500 universities in 110 different countries, with top destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong, and India.
“Overall, taking the IB, a rigorous and very structured program, in an online school has reshaped my understanding of what it means to excel in both academics and extracurriculars at a high level during high school,” said Beatrice. “For me, this challenging journey has been extremely rewarding during my time at Dwight, through the unwavering support I receive. I look forward to entering college confident in the skills and content I have learned so far in my academic journey.”
“The Diploma Program gives students a competitive edge, helping students gain admissions to universities and careers of their choice, and to transition smoothly into college,” Koepsell said.
Visit Dwight Global for more information.