Starting August 2010, ISW is pleased to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) to students in the 16-19 age range.

The Diploma Programme is a rigorous academic two-year course that prepares students for the high demands of the best colleges and universities throughout the world. It nurtures and develops inquiry, knowledge and compassion in the young adults of tomorrow that face a rapidly globalizing world.

Students undertaking the Diploma at ISW will be constantly motivated to learn and will be ready for new experiences. DP students are always ready to challenge themselves, form close friendships and want to succeed as lifelong learners.

Within the school, we recognize the uniqueness of our students and so want to provide quality education. With its broad-based curriculum, the DP at ISW will ensure that students discover new abilities, potential and interests, as well as understand and respect the cultural diversity of our community.

The curriculum itself contains 6 subject groups with a core made up of 3 separate parts:

• 3 (or max of 4) subjects are studied at higher level comprising of 240 hours each.

• 3 subjects are studied at standard level comprising of 150 hours each.

• Students choose one subject from each of the first 5 groups plus one more from group 1 through 6. This depends on the choices offered for the start year of study.

The subjects that ISW will offer for the 2010-2012 years of study are as follows:

Language A1

English A1 HL/SL

German A1 HL/SL

Self-Taught Language A1 SL Only

First language courses, which include the study of selections of world literature.

Language A2, Language B

English A2 HL/SL

German A2 HL/SL

German B HL/SL

A2 - Second language course for student with high competence in the language.

B – Language course for students with 2 or more years of experience of study.

Individual and Societies

History Route 2 HL/SL

Business and Management SL Only

Humanities

Experimental Sciences

Biology HL/SL

Chemistry HL/SL

The Sciences

Mathematics

Mathematics HL/SL

The Arts

Theatre HL/SL

Music HL/SL

Exploration of creative subjects

Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

CAS involves students in experiential learning through a range of artistic, sporting, physical and community & service activities. All IB DP students must complete a minimum of 150 CAS hours over the duration of the 2 year course.

CAS helps students develop self-confidence, empathy and a willingness to help others. It fosters students`awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena. Students are asked to reflect on their actions through a variety of ways within the programme.

At ISW, there is an appointed CAS Coordinator who ensures that all students fulfill the CAS requirements as it is an essential component in order to obtain the IB Diploma.

The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge

The Extended Essay (EE)

In order to be considered for the IB Diploma Programme qualification, each student has to submit an Extended Essay from one of the subjects, preferably, in their programme of study. This is a substantial piece of writing of up to 4000 words enabling students to investigate a topic of special interest that they have chosen themselves. It encourages students to develop important skills of independent research that will be expected at university. At ISW, the EE process is overseen by the DP Coordinator, EE supervisors and the librarian.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

The award of the IB Diploma is also dependent on successful completion of the TOK course which encourages students to critically reflect and question areas of knowledge throughout the disciplines. Students meet to discuss ways in which they learn and apply knowledge in the world that surrounds them. The course encourages an appreciation of other cultural perspectives and an attentive ear to the views and opinions of their immediate peers. Students are assessed on an oral presentation on a topic of choice and a written essay on a prescribed title.

To read about additional special requirements with regard to admission into the IB Diploma Programme at ISW, please follow this link:

• Admission to the IB Diploma Programme

For any additional information about the IB DP, please contact the IB Diploma Coordinator, Ms Marie-France Labelle

mflabelle@iswinterthur.ch