Students are assessed on academic potential and motivation.  Strong grades are recommended; however, evaluation is holistic and considers report card grades, results of the Critical Thinking Test, the Written Test, and possibly an interview.  Work habits in non-academic subjects are also considered.

Definitely! Most of our IB students are very involved in activities from sports to clubs to drama to part time jobs and volunteer work. The IB Diploma Programme encourages students to pursue extra-curricular activities and community involvement, and recognizes the personal growth that comes via participation through the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) component of the programme. In IB, students learn time management skills that help them learn to balance their academics, activities, social and work lives.

You should know that WV Academies sometimes conflict with the IB timetable (varies every year, we won’t know until the timetable is built).  High performance athletes may have trouble with the full IB Diploma due to time constraints and physical fatigue.

Higher level courses add additional concepts and skills beyond the Standard Level core. Students usually take three higher level courses and three standard level courses.  Students may take up to four higher level courses.  All classes in grade 11 are higher level (except second languages and mathematics).  For these classes, teachers will advise on placement for grade 11.

Yes, definitely!  This is a great option for students who want to focus on areas of strength and interest. Course Programme students may take one, two or three IB courses, based on availability.  Course students should take HL courses in order to get university credit.

To be considered a full PDP student, students must take PDP English, PDP Social Studies, a second language, and PDP Science.  Students are not required to take PDP Mathematics but may do so if they choose.  Students who take the full PDP Programme are given priority in the courses, but some students wish also to take only a few PDP classes.  If they qualify, these partial Pre-Diploma students will be placed in PDP classes after the full programme.

• No, but you have to love learning.  You also have to have more going on in your life than just studying.
• Good work habits are essential – time management, following instructions, etc.   A lot of students learn these skills in sports, music, dance, and other extra-curriculars.
• You have to care about more than just grades.  The mission statement of IB is:  The IB develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect.  All IB students are expected to be part of that.

IB Course students take 1 to 3 IB courses.  For each course taken, students are awarded a certificate and will get university credit if they perform well.  Students generally take HL classes if they are IB Certificate students as these are the classes which qualify them for university credit.

Students are required to take six IB courses in grades 11 and 12 plus Theory of Knowledge.  In Grade 11 students must take the following:

IB Language and Literature 11 HL

IB second language 11 (ab initio, SL or HL)

IB Geography HL 11 or History HL 11

IB Biology HL 11, Chemistry HL 11, or Physics HL 11

IB Mathematics HL 11 or SL 11

Theory of Knowledge 11

The first step in the process is to complete either the Pre-Diploma Programme Admission Application, the Course Programme Admission Application or the IB Diploma Programme Admission Application by Jan. 31, 2026.  Please complete these forms online, read the appropriate admissions criteria for the program you are interested in, and follow the dates and deadlines on the Admissions Timeline.

There are two entrance tests for our IB programmes.  All prospective PDP, Course and DP students must write an IB Critical Thinking Test which evaluates their ability to think logically.  Students cannot study or prepare for this test. IB Gr. 11 applicants (both Course and Diploma) must also do a writing test to demonstrate reasoning, creativity, and clear communication.

There are three testing dates for Fall 2026 entry: Thurs., Jan. 22, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. in room W346, Sat. Jan. 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in room W346, and Thurs., February 24, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. in room W346.

PDP students now applying for Course or Diploma do not take the Critical Thinking Test again. WVSS Math 9 Enriched students will take the Critical Thinking test in class.  WVSS PDP English 10 students will take the Writing Test in class.

No.  The critical thinking test which assesses your ability to make logical conclusions.  It is not a knowledge or subject-based test, so you cannot study or prepare for it in advance.

For Fall 2025 entry, interested students from inside and outside of WVSS may select one of the following times to take the IB Critical Thinking Test. IB 11 applicants to the IB Course and IB Diploma Programmes must also perform a Written Test at this time:

• Thursday January 22, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. in room W346
• Saturday January 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in room W346
• Thursday February 24, 2026 at 3:15 p.m. in room W346

After the tests, the IB Coordinator may contact you for an informal interview.  The IB Coordinator will ask you some questions about yourself and your interest in the IB Programme.  She will also answer any questions you might have about the programme at the interview.

The IB Coordinator at WVSS interviews all students applying for the full PDP Programme.  Students applying for one or two PDP courses are not interviewed and are evaluated based on report card grades and results of the IB critical thinking test.

The IB Coordinator may contact students (both WVSS and outside students) applying for the IB Diploma for an informal interview.  Only students applying to the full IB Diploma Programme will be interviewed.  Course students will be evaluated based on the results of their critical thinking test and their report card grades.

For admission to our Fall 2026 programmes, students will be interviewed in the spring of 2026.  The IB Coordinator will contact students with the time and location of their interview.

You should write the Critical Thinking and Written tests in late January and select IB courses in course planning.

Full PDP students will be notified of acceptance in May or June.

No, there are no fees for the PDP courses.

Future Course students who have selected one or two courses will be notified by the end of June.

Diploma Programme students will be notified by mid-June.

You will receive a decision in late March.

Information on how to register as a student at WVSS and the process for IB course selection will be included with your letter of acceptance. Also see our Admissions section and our Admissions Timeline. For external applicants, all offers of admission are:

• conditional on maintaining grades, work habits, and citizenship in all courses (academic and elective)
• conditional on successful application to West Vancouver Schools and to West Vancouver Secondary School

Yes! We invite prospective parents and students to please join us for our annual IB Information Night, Monday Jan. 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Kay Meek Theatre, West Vancouver (adjoined to West Vancouver Secondary School).

IB Course students can take 1-3 IB class a la carte, depending on availability. Each IB course is $210. Some IB courses also require an online textbook, and these additional fees are as follows:

• online textbooks for one IB course:    $60
• online textbooks for two IB courses:   $80
• online textbooks for three IB courses: $110

• Enriched classes, university preparation, breadth and depth in curriculum, community, challenge
• Potential for first-year credit and/or placement
• IB students have a higher rate of degree completion in post-secondary – they are well-prepared not just to get IN to university but to get THROUGH it

Absolutely.  Everyone is welcome to apply.  We have had many successful IB grads with IEPs, in both the Diploma and Course programmes.  However, there is little opportunity to reduce content.  Mrs. Colhoun (IB coordinator) can meet with you to discuss your individual situation.

Everyone is welcome to apply.  However, the IB programme requires a lot of reading and writing, so it can be overwhelming for students whose English skills are still in progress.

No, report card grades for IB courses are scaled to reflect what the student would achieve in a regular class.