IB Diploma Programme

IB Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced two-year programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being of students. The programme has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.

The Diploma Programme prepares students for effective participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society as they:

• develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
  •  acquire breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, studying courses from six subject groups
  •  develop the skills and a positive attitude towards learning that will prepare them for higher education
  •  study at least two languages and increase understanding of cultures, including their own
  •  make connections across traditional academic disciplines and explore the nature of knowledge through the programme’s unique theory of knowledge course
  •  undertake in-depth research into an area of interest through the lens of one
  or more academic disciplines in the extended essay
  •  enhance their personal and interpersonal development through creativity, action and service.

Fall 2026 admission:

Application Process for current West Vancouver Secondary School students:

• Students interested in our IB Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12 must complete our IB Diploma Programme Application form by Feb. 28, 2026.
• Are required to take the Critical Thinking and Written tests on Jan. 22rd, Jan. 24th or Feb. 24th, 2026. (PDP students who have previously taken the Critical Thinking test do not need to take it again.)
• Must select 6 IB courses during spring course planning
• May be interviewed by the IB Coordinator

Application Process for students from Other Schools:

• Students interested in our IB Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12 must complete our online IB Diploma Programme Admission Application by Jan. 31, 2026.
• Students from outside WVSS will need to take our Critical Thinking and Written tests on Jan. 22rd, Jan. 24th or Feb. 24th, 2026.
• Students may be interviewed by our IB Coordinator
• Offers of admission to external candidates are conditional on successful application to the district (West Vancouver Schools) and the school (West Vancouver Secondary).
• Once a student receives an offer to our IB Diploma Programme, they must first register online with West Vancouver Schools. Then, they must register at WVSS.
• Successful candidates attending other high schools in our district must transfer to West Vancouver Secondary School and complete their WVSS registration
• Please note: application to our IB Diploma Programme is separate from application to the school and district. Acceptance to one does not guarantee acceptance to the other

Please see our Admissions Timeline page for the process. Outside students will receive an offer of acceptance into the IB Diploma Programme by March 2, 2026.

Questions? Please email our IB Coordinator Nicola Colhoun at ncolhoun@wvschools.ca