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An IB lower school student holding up his class assignment in the air.
THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Dwight is the most sought-after IB World School in New York City — and for good reason.

We are a pioneer the International Baccalaureate and selected the IB — the #1 global curriculum — because it aligns perfectly with Dwight’s mission of igniting the spark of genius in every child. Kindling students’ passions and  interests, we educate inquisitive, knowledgeable, self-aware, and ethical citizens who are motivated to succeed and build a better world.

Crossing disciplinary, cultural, and national boundaries, the academically rigorous IB curriculum stands apart from all others — none fit better with our vision of educating the next generation of global leaders. The IB is also recognized as the “gold standard” in pre-college preparation because it equips students with the critical thinking, research, and complex problem-solving skills needed to excel at the university level and beyond. In fact, IB Diploma Program students have a competitive edge when applying to college and often receive college credit for some of their coursework.

The IB is a global education continuum consisting of:

  • Primary Years Program: Preschool 3s-Grade 5
  • Middle Years Program: Grades 6-10
  • Diploma Program: Grades 11-12

In every grade, we embrace the IB Learner Profile, which represents the IB mission in action.

The IB Learner Profile

All IB programs are designed to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. The IB Learner Profile translates this IB mission statement into action. It is a set of ideals that inspire and focus the work of schools like Dwight and our entire community. As educators, we embrace the Learner Profile and model the same characteristics and behavior for students.

A lower school student working on a class project.
Inquirers

We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.

Knowledgeable

We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.

A lower school student with beanbags in his hands.
Thinkers

We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators

We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.

Principled

We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

Open-minded

We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring

We show empathy, compassion, and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.

Risktakers

We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.

Balanced

We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives — intellectual, physical, spiritual, and emotional — to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.

Reflective

We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.


The IB Through the Years

Primary Years Program

Discovering the Joy of Learning

Dwight’s IB Primary Years Program (PYP), offered from Preschool 3s through grade 5, focuses on the development of each child as an inquirer in and out of the classroom.

During these crucial years, our teachers inspire students to become independent thinkers. The PYP provides a foundation for academic rigor and innovation that students will build upon through Preschool, Kindergarten, Lower School, and beyond.

The PYP at Dwight is designed to:

  • Teach students a broad base of knowledge and skills in subjects, including mathematics, science, social studies, and language in line with PYP and Common Core standards. 
  • Incorporate six transdisciplinary themes that encourage students to learn more about themselves and the world around them — and to see how they interconnect.
  • Foster every student’s development of learning with an emphasis on important ideas and concepts through units of inquiry.
  • Emphasize the development of the whole student, including the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being of every child.
  • Empower students to develop independence and to take responsibility for their own learning.
  • Embrace the attributes outlined in the IB Learner Profile.

Middle Years Program

BROADENING PERSPECTIVES

Dwight offers the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) for students in grades 6-10. The MYP encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world. This rigorous academic framework encourages students to become creative, critical, and reflective thinkers.

The MYP at Dwight is designed to:

  • Teach a broad base of disciplines and how to apply the content in different contexts
  • Promote learning in multiple subjects concurrently and identify links through concepts
  • Emphasize a wholistic approach, spanning the affective, cognitive, creative, and physical development of students
  • Empower students to participate in service

The MYP curriculum requires mastery of eight subjects: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Physical and Health Education, Design, and Arts.

Assessments include open-ended activities, investigations, organized debates, hands-on experiments, and reflections, which allow students to demonstrate their learning and achievements. The MYP also provides experiential learning through service, empowering students to take action and reflect on their personal growth.

The MYP culminates with the Personal Project in grade 10, an independent, eight-month long assignment that showcases the skills they have developed throughout all five years of their MYP studies. The project is an opportunity for students to challenge their own creativity, to think deeply about an issue of personal interest, and to share their experiences throughout the process with our School community at an exhibition. The Personal Project, which is graded against a rigorous set of IB criteria, is a requirement for students advancing to the IB Diploma Program.

Diploma Program

The #1 Global Curriculum

Dwight’s IB Diploma Program (DP) provides a framework for academic rigor and innovation that encourages students to challenge themselves and empowers them to excel in college and in life.

The DP is the “gold standard” in pre-university preparation. It is highly regarded by leading colleges and universities worldwide for its rigorous curriculum and for predicting student success in higher education and beyond. In the U.S., IB graduates are 21.4% more likely to be admitted into the country's most prestigious universities. DP graduates also qualify for college credit at most U.S. colleges and universities.

Our teachers inspire DP students to tap into their critical-thinking skills and personal passions to focus on one area for in-depth study in Dwight’s tradition of personalized learning.

The DP at Dwight is designed to:

  • Teach students a broad range of subjects, including several at a higher level and of their own choosing. Subjects range from experimental sciences and mathematics, to the arts, business and management, film, computer science, and languages.
  • Introduce students to philosophy through the compulsory IB Theory of Knowledge course, where they explore the nature of knowledge and are challenged to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing.
  • Encourage students to explore the arts and creative thinking, physical activity, and community service through CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) requirements.
  • Engage students in independent research through in-depth study and writing an extended essay.
  • Emphasize the development of the whole student intellectually, emotionally, physically, and ethically.
  • Embrace the IB Learner Profile traits.
  • Empower students to be entrepreneurial innovators.

Graduation Requirements

Academic Requirements for the Dwight School Diploma

In accordance with our charter from the Regents of the State of New York and the New York State Education Department, Dwight graduates students based on the following requirements, which are to be completed over a four-year period (grades 9 through 12). Senior year must be in residence. All students must meet the following requirements and electives to equal 25 credits:

  • English: 4 credits

  • Social Studies: 4 credits
  • Science: 4 credits
  • Mathematics: 4 credits
  • Foreign Language: 3 credits
  • Physical Education & Health: 2 credits
  • Electives: 2 credits
  • Arts: 1 credit
  • Design: 1 credit

The majority of Dwight students obtain more credits, particularly if following the full IB Diploma Program.

Academic Requirements for the International Baccalaureate Diploma

To be eligible to receive the IB Diploma, students must:
  • Complete 6 IB subjects, 3 at a standard level (SL) and 3 at a higher level (HL)
  • Complete the IB Core, which consists of Creativity Activity and Service (CAS), Extended Essay (EE), and Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
  • IB courses are marked on a scale from 1-­7, while the EE and TOK are marked from A-­E. Students can obtain a total of 42 points from their IB subjects, as well as an additional 3 bonus points from work on the EE and in TOK.
To obtain the IB Diploma, students must:
  • Score a minimum of 24 total points
  • Score at least a total of 12 points on HL subjects
  • Score at least a total of 9 points on SL subjects
  • Fulfill all CAS requirements
  • Fulfill all requirements for TOK and EE