MATURA MIĘDZYNARODOWA - International Baccalaureate

IX Liceum Ogólnokształcące is the only school in kujawsko-pomorskie voivodeship, which has got the rights for leading the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. We obtained the accreditation on March 9, 2006. IB Diploma issued by International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva is equal to Polish Matura Exam, and is recognised by the best universities over the world. The programme was created for gifted youth, with more than average aspirations and motivation, for the young wanting to realise their interests and investigational passions, for those striving to achieve success. In classes with the IB Programme students do not only gain knowledge and skills, but also develop their humanistic sensibility. Students in a number of countries are executing the programme on the same level and requirements, thanks to that, students? results are comparable. The seven-graded scale is valid - from "very poor?"to "excellent?" The maximum amount of points possible to score on the final exam equals 45. However, the points are not the most important. The aim of the programme is to prepare students for life, not for the exam. Thanks to its construction it is possible to keep the proportions between indispensable knowledge and the skills of analysing information. Students have to know the basic facts, but the most essential is the usage of knowledge in practice and critical thinking. The multiculturalism of the contemporary world is very important, but developing self-identity is also crucial.

IB Diploma Programme lasts for 2 years and it is implemented in English (except lessons of other foreign languages). The first year of high school (pre-IB) is a preparation for students, before starting the IB Diploma Programme ? innovative methods of teaching, bilingual lessons, and new curricula. The second and the third year is the proper implementation of IB Diploma Programme. Students of pre-IB class are usually the main group in the IB, but we give a chance for students, who are not from our school and want to start IB Diploma Programme. Every student has to choose 6 subjects, one from 6 groups. Every subject ends with the exam and 3 of them have to be passed on the standard level (SL) and 3 (but not more than 4) on the higher level (HL). HL course lasts for 240 hours, while SL for 150 hours, which means that HL course is implemented for 6 lesson hours per week, and SL for 4 lesson hours per week.

Group 1: LANGUAGE A1 ? Polish SL/HL

Group 2: SECOND LANGUAGE ? English HL, French ab initio, German ab initio

Group 3: Individuals and societies ? History SL/HL, Geography SL/HL

Group 4: Experimental sciences ? Biology SL/HL, Chemistry SL/HL, Physics HL/SL

Group 5: Mathematics ? Math studies/SL/HL

Group 6: Visual Arts or second subjects from group 2, 3 or 4

Student is also obliged to:

• Finish the course of Theory of Knowledge (TOK). The aims of this subject are varied, but the most important is gaining the ability of critical thinking and noticing relations between different types of knowledge.
• Prepare the work ? Extended Essay (about 4000 words). This work should be based on investigation of a student. It is the preparation for further investigations during university studies.
• Social work (CAS ? Creativity, Action, Service). Student has to actively participate in extramural activities, e.g. sport, theatre, working for the social environment.

Grades from TOK and Extended Essay have a crucial influence on the final marks.

February, March and April are difficult months for students of the IB Diploma Programme. It is the time of finishing the student?s activity. Students have to finish their projects, portfolios and lab reports. All these have a profound influence on the final marks. This means a lot of work, so it is impossible to do it in the very last moment.

To fully implement IB Diploma Programme, the education in this class involves fees. Parents are obliged to pay 100zł per month of education on the account of Parents? Council. They also have to buy books (after the first year of high school, for 2 years of education in IB Programme) and pay for the final IB exam. The payment (until October 31^st) is the condition of student?s registration in the IBO system.