IB Diploma Programme (DP)

Our Grade 11 and 12 curriculum follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). The IB Diploma encourages intellectual growth, academic rigour, and personal development through a holistic and balanced approach.

The DP opens doors to the best universities worldwide. Moreover, it helps develop lifelong learners who are prepared to make the difference to the communities they inhabit. Thus Classical Hebrew, Jewish philosophy and Advanced Modern Hebrew fit in perfectly with the IB philosophy.

Students will be able to opt for the full Diploma or individual courses in subjects of their choice. More information about the IB DP curriculum and philosophy can be found on the IB website. It is intended that all students will graduate with the Elsa High School Diploma, which is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Diploma Programme Requirements

The Diploma Programme

To earn an IB Diploma, students are required to study six subjects (three at Higher Level, and three at Standard Level).

A literature course in the student’s native language
One additional language
Mathematics
An experimental science
A humanities or social science subject
An arts subject, or another subject from the sciences, languages or humanities

In addition, students must successfully complete Creativity, Action, Service (CAS), an Extended Essay (a 4,000 word research project similar to a university research paper), and the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course.

Subjects offered at Carmel School (2023-24)

Group 1 - Language a (English, Chinese, Hebrew, French)

Language A: Literature
Language A: Language and Literature

Group 2 - Language Acquisition (French, Hebrew, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Italian)

Ab initio
Language B

Group 3 - Individuals and Societies

History
Economics
Psychology
Environmental Systems and Societies (G3&4)

Group 4 - Sciences

Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Sport, Exercise and Health Science
Design Technology
Environmental Systems and Societies (G3&4)

Group 5 - Mathematics

Analysis and Approaches HL
Analysis and Approaches SL
Applications and Interpretations SL

Group 6 - The Arts

Visual Arts
Theatre
Music

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

The International Baccalaureate, Diploma Programme - Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements in every student’s Diploma Programme experience. It involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic students throughout the Diploma Programme. The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are characterised as follows:

Creativity

Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance, for example, arts or other experiences that involve creative thinking.

Activity

Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Students engage in a sports team or individual pursuits.

Service

Collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need, that also carries a learning benefit for the student.

CAS enables students to demonstrate attributes of the IB Learner Profile in real and practical ways, to grow as unique individuals and to recognise their role in relationship to others. CAS compliments a challenging academic programme in a holistic way, providing opportunities for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment and enjoyment.

"The nature of Creativity, Action and Service…if you believe in something, you must not just think or talk or write, but must act"

Peterson (2003)

Extended Essay (EE)

Students must select, research, and write an in-depth, independent research work or Extended Essay (EE) of 4,000 words in one of the six subjects areas. Each student works under the guidance of an Extended Essay Supervisor.

Students are assigned a supervisor who helps guide them through the process.
Emphasis is placed on:

Research of credible evidence
Analytical writing
Source Evaluation
Reflection

The Extended Essay requirement offers IB candidates the opportunity to become familiar with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

IB candidates are required to take an interdisciplinary critical thinking course, entitled Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

Theory of Knowledge is a course in epistemology - The philosophical study of the nature, origin and limits of human knowledge. The subject explores the interdisciplinary nature of subject disciplines and encourages critical reflection and analysis. Students explore topics such as:

What counts as good evidence?
How do we know when to use different models?
How do theories translate into the real world?

Two assessments must also be submitted.

Grades and assessment

Standards of IB assessment are the same worldwide. An international Board of IB Chief Examiners is responsible for the conduct of the examinations, setting the papers, and marking and moderating the grades.

Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the IB diploma requires a minimum total score of 24, based on the principle that a grade 4 represents a passing level in each of the six subjects. Excellent performance in the six subjects results in a grade 7 for each, or a total score of 42 points. It is possible to earn additional points – a maximum of 3 – for superior work on the Extended Essay and Theory Of Knowledge.