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 2025 admission:

Application Process for current West Vancouver Secondary School PDP students:

Students taking the Pre-Diploma Programme do not need to apply for the IB Diploma Programme. These PDP students may select IB Diploma Courses during spring course planning in Gr. 10.

Application process for regular WVSS students:

Grade 10 students currently taking BC Provincial courses are required to apply for the IB Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12. They will need to take both our Critical Thinking Test and Written Test in late January, be interviewed by the IB Coordinator, and select IB courses during course planning in the spring.

Application Process for students from Other Schools:

Gr.10 students from outside WVSS applying to the Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12 will need to take our Critical Thinking Test, a Written Test, submit a Diploma Programme Admission Application by Jan. 31, 2025, and be interviewed.  Please see our Admissions Timeline page for the process.

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