Allison Chen//13 October 2020
What is the IB DP?
Believe it or not, the Class of 2022 has already survived one-eighth of IB classes as well as their complementary late nights and (hopefully not) tears. The International Baccalaureate® Diploma Program, otherwise known as the IB DP, is an extremely rigorous program spanning over the course of students’ last 2 years of high school. Although taking on this program is optional, KAS has been a great advocate for the IB DP and encouraged students to do so as it enhances their education through college-like courses.
The Diploma Program is structured around IB’s established 6 subject groups and 3 core elements. Generally regarded as Group 1, language and literature classes in English are offered to KAS students as Literature or Language and Literature [it somewhat repeats what you said earlier in the sentence]. KAS provides foreign language classes Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese for its Group 2 subjects. By taking one of these subjects, students are able to potentially earn a Bilingual Diploma. Group 3 subjects are individuals and societies classes such as History, Business Management, and Economics. Sciences are in Group 4; Biology, Physics, and Chemistry are offered at KAS. Group 5 is mathematics, which KAS separates into Analysis & Approaches and Application & Interpretation. The final group, Group 6, is of the arts. What makes the IB DP so unique is its core elements—Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extend Essay (EE), and CAS. Theory of Knowledge is similar to a philosophy [highly debatable as to whether it is…] course, where students are asked to explore the concept of knowledge. The Extended Essay is a 4000-word paper on a self-designated research question in one of the 6 subject groups written by students over a year. CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, and Service. Students are required to work on projects in each of the aforementioned categories throughout their 18 months of the program. For further information, check out this link.
How are the juniors doing?
Given the demanding courses, junior students are asked about any noticeable differences regarding classes in general, time management, and a balanced lifestyle. Claire [give background as to who she is in relation to your topic?] notices that, “[she] feel[s] more intellectually challenged by the IB curriculum” compared to last year. This seems to be a popular idea among the students. Juniors can be seen staying at nearby cafes and libraries studying for upcoming tests after school.
The introduction and first-hand experience of the DP seems to have a great impact on the students as well. Vincent Yang states, “Junior year has definitely been a new and eye opening experience…” He continues by elaborating, “Although it is much more challenging, I find myself actually enjoying this experience because it really pushes me to break my boundaries and challenge myself more. For my extracurriculars, I see them more as a break from school rather than an extension of it.”
Many are observed to be enjoying CAS as this portion of the program gives freedom to students and enriches their high school experience. As Arham expresses, although “it became even more difficult for me to balance my extracurricular activities,” CAS experiences allow him to find time for hobbies.
All in all, while the IB Diploma Program lives up to its name of being the most stimulating program at KAS, students find value in the skills they have developed throughout the previous 2 months.
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