Grades 11-12 Curriculum

The Diploma Program provides a holistic educational experience, whereby students graduate with an expanded set of higher level thinking skills as a result of the diverse, concurrent study of specific disciplines through real-world assessment outcomes. Most DP courses are offered over two years. An emphasis is placed on written and oral language, including the ability to communicate in at least two languages. The program provides exposure to experiential learning through the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) program at a sophisticated level, whereby students are challenged to solve problems in their particular areas of interest and reflect on their resulting personal growth.

The Diploma Program boasts high-quality, internationally-ratified, high criterion-referenced assessment standards in all subjects. These varied forms of assessment allow for students to demonstrate what they know and understand in multiple ways, including face-to-face orals, laboratory reports, projects, dossiers, exhibitions, and portfolios as well as written examinations. The IB Learner Profile allows students to assess their progress against defined personal attributes. Dwight community members are unified by a singular purpose: to embody and exemplify the IB Learner Profile through meaningful action.

Requirements for full IB Diploma Program candidates:

• Students must take at least three courses at the Higher Level (HL) and the remaining courses at the Standard Level (SL). Most students take three HL and 3 SL courses. Students may take four HL and two SL courses, but this does require a great commitment of time and effort.
• Students will choose one subject from each group (Groups 1­-6). Group 6, The Arts, is not mandatory if a student would like to take an additional subject from Groups 1­-4.
  • Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
  • Group 2: Language acquisition 
  • Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Social Science)
  • Group 4: Experimental Sciences
  • Group 5: Mathematics
  • Group 6: The Arts

All Diploma Program candidates must take Theory of Knowledge (ToK); write an Extended Essay (EE); and complete the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) program.

The Dwight Courses Program provides a holistic educational experience for students and allows students to engage in material on the IB level where appropriate and uniquely created Dwight Courses classes in other areas where appropriate. While content is rigorous across disciplines, the Dwight Courses Program offers flexibility, personal engagement, and opportunities for skill building embedded in course content. All Dwight Courses classes are offered over one year, leaving students with more opportunities to engage in a variety of course work. Dwight Courses classes have an emphasis on reading, writing and oral language with opportunities to strengthen these skills explicitly built into each class. Similarly to the Diploma Program, the Dwight Courses Program provides exposure to experiential learning through the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) program at a sophisticated level, whereby students are challenged to solve problems in their particular areas of interest and reflect on their resulting personal growth.

Requirements for Dwight Courses candidates:

• Students can take all DP classes, all DC classes, or a combination of both depending on strengths and interests.
• Students will choose one subject from each group (Groups 1­-6). Group 6, The Arts, is not mandatory if a student would like to take an additional subject from Groups 1­-5.
  • Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature 
  • Group 2: Language acquisition 
  • Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Social Science)
  • Group 4: Experimental Sciences
  • Group 5: Mathematics
  • Group 6: The Arts

If a student has a language waiver and chooses to use it, they can add an additional class from the other groups.

All Dwight Courses candidates will complete parts of Nature of Knowledge (NoK); an Independent Research Capstone Project; and the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) program. This work may be embedded into coursework or done outside of class.