The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme

Private schools offering IB programmes

Looking for an IB private school? Consider The York School, a coed JK to grade 12 school in Toronto offering the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

I make time to greet the students as they pour in off Yonge Street in the morning, chatting with friends and turning their minds to the day ahead. It seems as if the possibilities of the city itself – and even the world at large – somehow flow into the school with them."
—Conor Jones, Head of School, York School

The International Baccalaureate (IB) was first established as a two-year advanced secondary school curriculum, the successful completion of which earned students the IB diploma. Then as now the curriculum requires that students complete a course of study in six core subject areas (language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts) write an essay of up to 4000 words, and sit standard, externally assessed exams.

Students are also required to complete two formal projects and a minimum of 50 hours of community service. All requirements exceed those of high school diplomas offered by the provincial boards across Canada—in all ways, the IB diploma is a high school graduation diploma and then some.

In the decades since it began, the IB Programme has been expanded to include the primary and middle school grades, as well as a career program for students in the senior grades. All are intended to provide a unique, international take on core studies, while also providing a foundation for secondary and post-secondary instruction. As such, the curriculum is managed and administered to provide a well-rounded, high quality, advanced course of study that delivers the core material while challenging students to apply their knowledge and skills through collaboration, discussion, and communication. Read more

List of schools with the IB Programme


featured TMS View Profile Richmond Hill, Ontario Bayview/Hwy 407 PS to 12 Coed $18,300 to $31,350 TMS is a leading, accredited independent school that offers a unique design of Montessori and International Baccalaureate programmes. Our students thrive in academics while building a foundation of Significance. Day Montessori International Baccalaureate User Reviews (1)	TMS	18300	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
featured St. Jude's Academy View Profile Mississauga, Ontario Erin Mills Parkway/Argentia Rd JK to 12 Coed $9,265 to $13,695 St. Jude's Academy is an IB World School that offers programs from junior kindergarten to grade 12 in Mississauga. Its average class size is 16 to 18 students. Day Traditional International Baccalaureate User Reviews (7)	St. Jude's Academy	9265	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
featured Branksome Hall View Profile Toronto, Ontario Bloor Street East/Mount Pleasant Road JK to 12 Girls $33,630 to $66,805 Branksome Hall is Toronto’s only all-girls, all-years International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Boarding/Day Liberal Arts International Baccalaureate	Branksome Hall	33630	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Boarding Day Girls
featured Elmwood School View Profile Ottawa, Ontario Buena Vista Road/Springfield Road PS to 12 Girls $13,960 to $26,960 Elmwood School is Ottawa's pre-eminent school for girls from JK to Grade 12. Our high academic standards, small class sizes and safe, supportive environment ensure that each girl is inspired to reach her full potential. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	Elmwood School	13960	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Girls
featured Unisus School View Profile Summerland, British Columbia JK to 12 Coed $16,150 to $51,500 The Unisus School is the Okanagan’s most innovative independent school, offering a pre-K through 12, inquiry-based education that is tailored to each student’s unique abilities and interests. Day/Boarding Progressive International Baccalaureate	Unisus School	16150	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed
featured Upper Canada College View Profile Toronto, Ontario St Clair Ave W/Avenue Rd SK to 12 Boys $33,300 to $61,860 Located in the heart of Toronto, Upper Canada College is the oldest independent boys' school in Ontario. Our IB graduates are highly regarded by top universities and post-secondary institutions worldwide. Boarding/Day Liberal Arts International Baccalaureate Our Kids Review User Reviews (3)	Upper Canada College	33300	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Boarding Day Boys
featured Lynn-Rose Schools View Profile Mississauga, Ontario PS to 12 Coed $15,470 to $20,600 Lynn-Rose Heights Private School offers challenging academic programming from three years old to grade twelve in Mississauga. Lynn-Rose Heights school is an official International Baccalaureate World School. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate User Reviews (4)	Lynn-Rose Schools	15470	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
featured The York School View Profile Toronto, Ontario Yonge St./St. Clair Ave. JK to 12 Coed $28,000 to $32,000 The York School is a JK to Grade 12 co-ed, independent, International Baccalaureate school in midtown Toronto. The school is accredited by CAIS, IBO, and CIS. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate User Reviews (1)	The York School	28000	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
featured St. John's-Kilmarnock School View Profile Waterloo Region (Breslau), Ontario JK to 12 Coed $17,415 to $64,750 St. John's-Kilmarnock School, in Waterloo, offers enriched educational programming for students from JK – Grade 12 through its accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Its average class size is 17. Boarding/Day Progressive International Baccalaureate Our Kids Review	St. John's-Kilmarnock School	17415	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
Bishop's College School View Profile Sherbrooke, Quebec 7 to 12 Coed $25,000 to $66,100 Bishop's College School is an English boarding and day school for students in grades 7 through 12. Small in size and culturally diverse, BCS is an IB World School offering the IB DP and course certificates. Boarding/Day Traditional International Baccalaureate	Bishop's College School	25000	MiddleSchools HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) View Profile Mississauga, Ontario Cawthra/Lakeshore PS to 7 Coed $18,820 to $33,970 TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) offers programs from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 7. Its average class size is 12 to 22 students. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus)	18820	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
Meadowridge School View Profile Maple Ridge, British Columbia 240th Street/Dewdney Trunk Road JK to 12 Coed $22,500 to $32,500 Meadowridge is an IB Continuum World School that supports the development of the whole child in a safe, supportive and challenging environment. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	Meadowridge School	22500	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Brookes Westshore View Profile Victoria, British Columbia 6 to 12 Coed $14,400 to $52,550 Brookes School Canada, an IB World School on beautiful Vancouver Island, offers grades 6 to 12 for both day and boarding students with an average class size of 12 students. Day/Boarding Progressive International Baccalaureate	Brookes Westshore	14400	MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed
Bronte College View Profile Mississauga, Ontario Hurontario/Bronte College Ct 9 to 12 Coed $16,500 to $19,800 Bronte College is a private International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering Grades 9 to 12 for day and boarding students. Our academic programming has attracted students from over 30 countries. Boarding/Day Traditional International Baccalaureate	Bronte College	16500	HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
King's-Edgehill School View Profile Windsor, Nova Scotia College Rd/King St 6 to 12 Coed $18,800 to $58,800 King's-Edgehill School offers programs for grades six to 12 in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Its average class size is 15 students. Day/Boarding Traditional International Baccalaureate	King's-Edgehill School	18800	MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Coed
Léman Manhattan Preparatory School View Profile New York, New York(USA) Broad St/Exchange Pl PS to 12 Coed US $5,500 to US $93,000 Léman Manhattan - the only boarding school in Manhattan, New York that delivers academic excellence that inspires your child for a lifetime. IB Diploma program and unique internship opportunities offered in the city. Boarding/Day Traditional International Baccalaureate	Léman Manhattan Preparatory School	5500	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
St. Stephen's School, Rome View Profile Rome, RM Ponte Sublicio/Lungotevere Aventino 9 to 12 Coed EUR €25,145 to EUR €39,095 SSS Rome provides students with a culturally diverse and rigorous academic education. Graduates obtain the International Baccalaureate Diploma and American High School Diploma to enter renowned universities worldwide. Boarding/Day Liberal Arts International Baccalaureate	St. Stephen's School, Rome	25145	HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
UWC Canada View Profile Victoria, British Columbia 12 Coed $1 to $58,000 The UWC National Committee of Canada and Pearson College UWC represent the United World Colleges in Canada. We are seeking daring young Canadians who aspire to make the world a better place. Boarding Progressive International Baccalaureate User Reviews (5)	UWC Canada	1	Boarding Coed
Ridley College View Profile St. Catharines, Ontario Ridley Road/Henrietta Street JK to 12 Coed $17,850 to $70,000 Ridley College is an acclaimed co-educational boarding and day school that prepares meaningful and flourishing lives by teaching the habits of mind, body, and spirit, and the values needed to lead in a global society. Boarding/Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	Ridley College	17850	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
TFS - Canada's International School View Profile Toronto, Ontario Bayview/Lawrence NS to 12 Coed $19,760 to $33,970 TFS - Canada's International School offers Canada's only bilingual IB programs from PK to Grade 12. Average class size is 12 to 22 students. Entrance Scholarship to Grade 7 is available. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	TFS - Canada's International School	19760	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Lower Canada College View Profile Montreal, Quebec Av de Monkland/Boul Cavendish K to 12 Coed $18,695 to $23,845 Lower Canada College is a coed, K-12 university preparatory school, committed to excellence in teaching and learning. It is the only English school in Quebec offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Day Liberal Arts International Baccalaureate	Lower Canada College	18695	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Glenlyon Norfolk School View Profile Victoria, British Columbia JK to 12 Coed $17,135 to $49,635 Glenlyon Norfolk School, an independent school in Victoria, BC, provides International Baccalaureate programs from JK to Grade 12. GNS offers 5- and 7-day Family Boarding for students who are not residents of Victoria. Day/Homestay Progressive International Baccalaureate	Glenlyon Norfolk School	17135	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Homestay Coed
Luther College High School View Profile Regina, Saskatchewan 9 to 12 Coed $8,040 to $37,590 Luther students, from many different social and cultural backgrounds, have the opportunity to be part of a tightly woven community of students, parents, teachers, staff, and alumni. Boarding/Day Liberal Arts International Baccalaureate User Reviews (2)	Luther College High School	8040	HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
Rothesay Netherwood School View Profile Rothesay, New Brunswick Rothesay Rd/College Hill Rd 6 to 12 Coed $22,770 to $62,630 Rothesay Netherwood School offers programs for grades 6 to 12 in Rothesay, New Brunswick. Its average class size is 16 students and is an outstanding engaged and supportive community. Boarding/Day Liberal Arts International Baccalaureate	Rothesay Netherwood School	22770	MiddleSchools HighSchools Boarding Day Coed
Alexander Academy View Profile Vancouver, British Columbia 8 to 12 Coed $16,500 to $22,800 Alexander Academy is a private World IB School offering the Diploma Programme and approved to offer the BC Ministry of Education curriculum in a culturally rich and academically challenging environment for Grades 8 - 12. Homestay/Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	Alexander Academy	16500	HighSchools Homestay Day Coed
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School View Profile Okotoks, Alberta Range Road 12/306 Ave W K to 12 Coed $16,100 to $23,580 Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School is an independent, private coeducational, full IB (primary, middle, and diploma programme) day school for Kindergarten - Grade 12 close to Calgary, AB. Day Traditional International Baccalaureate	Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School	16100	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
London International Academy View Profile London, Ontario Richmond Street/King Street 9 to 12 Coed/Girls/Boys $11,000 to $41,900 A Canadian Private Secondary Co-ed Boarding school, located in downtown London, Ontario. LIA offers academic courses from Grades 9-12 and is authorized to grant the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Day/Boarding Traditional International Baccalaureate	London International Academy	11000	HighSchools Day Boarding Boarding Coed Girls Boys
Brockton School View Profile North Vancouver, British Columbia JK to 12 Coed $19,100 to $22,200 Brockton School is an independent, co-ed, non-denominational, IB World School. Brockton hosts an Early Learning Years program, a Junior School, and a Senior School, with students from Junior Kindergarten to grade 12. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	Brockton School	19100	Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Calgary French & International School View Profile Calgary, Alberta PS to 12 Coed $7,900 to $15,100 Calgary French & International School graduates will be active global citizens with a foundation for life-long success, and our school will be the leader in French immersion and international education. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate User Reviews (1)	Calgary French & International School	7900	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Alexander von Humboldt German International School View Profile Baie-D'Urfé, Montreal, Quebec rue Victoria/rue Normandy PS to 12 Coed $4,750 to $10,700 The Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal is a multilingual (German, English and French), private, co-educational school serving students from preschool to grade 12. Day Traditional	Alexander von Humboldt German International School	4750	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Town Centre Private Schools View Profile Markham, Ontario Kennedy Road/Steeles Avenue NS to 12 Coed $7,050 to $17,450 Town Centre Montessori Private Schools offers programs from pre-school to grade 12/University Prep and is located in Markham. Day Traditional International Baccalaureate	Town Centre Private Schools	7050	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Mulgrave School View Profile West Vancouver, British Columbia Upper Levels Highway/Cypress Bowl exit PS to 12 Coed $19,980 to $24,820 Mulgrave School offers programmes from Preschool to Grade 12 in West Vancouver. Its average class size is 20 students with teacher to student ratios of 1:8. Day Progressive International Baccalaureate	Mulgrave School	19980	Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
Ashbury College View Profile Ottawa, Ontario Mariposa Avenue/Springfield 4 to 12 Coed $27,750 to $66,970 This traditional private school in Ottawa, Ontario offers Grades 4 to 12 with 100 boarding and 600 day school students. Tuition is from $23,600 to $58,300. Day/Boarding/Homestay Traditional International Baccalaureate	Ashbury College	27750	MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Boarding Homestay Coed

Find schools offering the IB diploma programme

IB accreditation

Accreditation is granted through the International Baccalaureate in Geneva, Switzerland. The term "International Baccalaureate" is used generically, and can refer to the organization, the degree, or the degree programs. Prior to 2007 the main accrediting body was known formally as the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), though since then is known as, simply, the International Baccalaureate.

Schools intending to offer an IB programme undertake a 3-4 year authorization/accreditation process, with timelines depending on when a school begins its formal academic year. Every school accredited to offer any of the four core IB programmes is known as an IB World School. Any school that is engaged in the process of accreditation is known as an IB Candidate School.

Find boarding schools offering the IB diploma programme

All accredited schools take part in an ongoing process of review and development. In some cases that process is supported and/or facilitated by sub-regional organizations, one example being the International Baccalaureate Schools of Ontario (IBSO). However, accreditation is only available through the central accrediting body.

Development of the International Baccalaureate programmes

The International Baccalaureate was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968, where it remains headquartered today, with additional offices in the UK and the Netherlands. The intention was to "provide an internationally acceptable university admissions qualification suitable for the growing mobile population of young people whose parents were part of the world of diplomacy, international and multinational organizations."

“ … an internationally acceptable university admissions qualification … ”

At the outset, the IB Diploma Programme was created for students 16-19. It was first envisaged as a diploma that would be recognized at universities around the world, and would be recognized as academically rigorous. The curriculum was written with that goal in mind.

Since, the IB curriculum has been expanded with the creation the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). The PYP was created for students between the ages of 3 and 12, and the MYP for students 11 to 16. The Career-Related Programme (CP) was added in 2012, and uses the framework and values of the IB diploma programme to address the needs of students ages 16-19 in a career-related course of study. To complete the CP students take a minimum of two IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses, a core program consisting of four components, including a career-related study, and sit standardized exams.

Schools that offer IB programmes for all age groups, beginning with the primary years and culminating in the secondary diploma, refer to themselves as IB Continuum Schools. Schools typically develop the IB continuum over time, adding programs as the school grows, and in response to the needs of the student population.

Find IB continuum schools

At all levels, the curriculum is organized around six interdisciplinary themes, all developing students' understanding of who they are, their place and time, and how their life intersects with the lives of others, both locally and beyond. The core curriculum—language, math, science, physical education, arts, and social studies—is taught through the lens of those cross-curricular themes.

Find schools offering the IB Primary Years Programme

Find schools offering the IB Middle Years Programme

“ … suitable for the growing mobile population of young people …”

Marshall McLuhan coined the term “global village” in 1962 in his book The Gutenberg Galaxy. The term gained traction because of the growth in multinational corporations and organizations, and also because it reflected the spirit of the time, given the exponential growth in air traffic (and, later, the internet). There was a growing awareness that students would increasingly live in a multinational, multicultural world, with professional and personal lives that crossed borders and cultural boundaries. Likewise, it was surmised that communities of interest would develop independent of the local communities that students lived within—the community of physicists, for example, would be a global one, rather than associated with specific local communities.

It was out of that conception that International Baccalaureate was founded in the late 1960s. It would offer a diploma that was as mobile as the students who would earn it, and would be recognized readily by universities around the world. And, indeed, that's exactly what the IB has become.

“ … part of the world of diplomacy, international and multinational organizations.”

While rigor was important—students with the IB could be counted on to have a strong basis in language, math, and science—so was the kind of learner that the IB could develop. In addition to the core curriculum, students would be required to gain a meaningful sense of global issues, economy, geography, and culture. They would be required to learn the fundamentals of communication, creative problem solving, ethical leadership, and international politics. As such, the IB was in a sense at the leading edge of the development of what we now think of under the umbrella of 21st century literacies.

Today there are more than 3000 schools in roughly 150 countries that offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP). In Canada, schools typically offer the DP in addition to provincial diplomas, with students free to choose which they’d like to work toward. Schools are not required to offer all four aspects of the current IB program—primary, middle, diploma, career—and instead offer only those that are appropriate to the needs of their enrolment.

The reasons that families and students choose the IBDP are varied, and include:

International recognition
A curriculum delivered through an international lens
Strong core academics
A bilingual requirement
Strong values-based approach
A curriculum that offers a broader range and depth of knowledge

University recognition of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

Each of Canada's universities is free to set its own admissions standards and to assess each candidate based on their own internal criteria. There is no national university entrance exam or governing body overseeing university admissions. As a result, admission criteria can vary widely, even between universities within Canada. Students are required to contact colleges or universities directly to find a list of admission requirements and deadlines, and to submit transcripts in support of their application.

While the specific details of recognition can vary between universities—or, in some cases, even between faculty within a university—the IB diploma is nevertheless very widely accepted as an admission credential if the scores earned meet certain targets. In some instances, IB courses and exams are recognized for transfer credit within an institution, used in fulfillment of university degree requirements and/or fulfilling course prerequisite requirements. University admissions departments can provide details on their admission and course prerequisite requirements as they pertain to the IB diploma.

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