IBDP

The curriculum is rigorous and intellectually coherent, encouraging critical thinking through the study of a wide range of subjects in the traditional academic disciplines while encouraging an international perspective.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is two-year course of study with internal and external assessment preparing students for post-secondary school pathways, especially university entrance. It is recognised by universities in over 138 countries (including all Australian tertiary institutions) and taught in more than 4500 schools in 153 countries and has been offered at Friends’ for 25 years. Almost 70 schools in Australia now offer the IB Diploma.

The Diploma Programme offers a broad and balanced course of study with students taking six subjects chosen from six discipline groups. In addition they take three core subjects (Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay). These foundation subjects prepare students through Year 11 to succeed in Year 12 and in their lives beyond.

Australian Diploma Programme (DP) students consistently outperform non-DP students nationally on university outcomes – International Baccalaureate article

Australian university outcomes: A national study comparing IBDP and non-IBDP students – Australian Council for Educational Research Report

International Baccalaureate develops higher critical thinking skills than state programs – The Sydney Morning Herald article

Joining a community of more than 1.95 million lifelong learners in 152 countries around the world – Education HQ article

NSW Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE) report – The Sydney Morning Herald article

The Friends’ School IB results – The Mercury article