SMILING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IS AUTHORISED TO DELIVER THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
We join a community of over 5,000 IB World Schools
The IB Diploma is internationally respected as a high-quality educational programme recognised by the most prestigious universities in Italy and around the world
Smiling International School Ferrara is an IB World School offering local and international students the opportunity to take a globally recognised programme of studies. The IB Diploma enables students to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to thrive in a modern world. Teachers become partners for students, helping them to direct their own pathway and become confident, competent citizens who can make difference in the world.
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year, rigorous academic programme of studies which prepares students aged 16-19 access the top universities in Italy and abroad. It provides a solid educational foundation, developing transferrable skills that lead to academic and personal success. The flexible curriculum framework allows the school to develop a programme that adapts to the cultural context, needs, abilities and interests of the students. The holistic approach to academic studies ensures that students taking the IB Diploma Programme become inquirers who learn to ask challenging questions, develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture within a global context.
The Diploma Programme is made up of a “Core” and 6 subjects studied concurrently (3 higher level, 3 standard level) selected from 6 subject groups including:
- Studies in language and literature
- Language acquisition
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- The arts (coming soon)
The “core” requirements are:
- extended essay (EE), a self-directed research paper (4,000 words)
- theory of knowledge (TOK – the study of what we know and how we come to know it)
- creativity, action, service. (CAS – personal and interpersonal development through a range of self-directed activities)
All three parts of the core are compulsory and are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Programme.
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WHAT IS AN IB EDUCATION?
The IB continuum of international education is unique because of its academic and personal rigour. We challenge students to excel in their studies and in their personal growth. We aim to inspire a quest for learning throughout life that is marked by enthusiasm and empathy. The IB aspires to help schools develop well-rounded students with character who respond to challenges with optimism and an open mind, are confident in their own identities, make ethical decisions, join with others in celebrating our common humanity and are prepared to apply what they learn in real-world, complex and unpredictable situations. The IB offers high-quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision. Informed by the values described in the learner profile, an IB education:
- Focuses on learners – the IB’s student-centred programmes promote healthy relationships, ethical responsibility and personal challenge
- Develops effective approaches to teaching and learning – IB programmes help students to develop the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success
- Works within global contexts – IB programmes increase understanding of languages and cultures, and explore globally significant ideas and issues
- Explores significant content – IB programmes offer a curriculum that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected. IB learners strive to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. These attributes represent a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond intellectual development and academic success.
THE IB MISSION
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
WHAT IS THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (DP)
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced 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
THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME: PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND TO BE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY
THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME CORE
- The extended essay asks students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP subjects they are studying. The world studies extended essay option allows students to focus on a topic of global significance which they examine through the lens of at least two DP subjects.
- Theory of knowledge develops a coherent approach to learning that unifies the academic disciplines. In this course on critical thinking, students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.
- Creativity, action, service (CAS) involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Programme. Creativity encourages students to engage in the arts and creative thinking. Action seeks to develop a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. Service with the community offers a vehicle for new learning with academic value. The three strands of CAS enhance students’ personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and enable journeys of self-discovery
