The IB program in Krakow

Internationally recognised program for 16-18 year olds

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an international qualification and universities all around the world recognize it.

The British International School of Cracow  (BISC) offers the IB diploma program for students aged 16 to 18.

This is a challenging and balanced educational program, whose aim is to prepare students for success at university and afterwards. It has been designed to address not only the intellectual well–being of students, but as well, the social, emotional and physical estate of each individual.

The IB curriculum consists of six groups and the students choose one subject from each group.

The groups are:

• Studies in language and literature - this is the students mother-tongue or language they communicate in and feel most comfortable in using.
• Language acquisition - which is a second language the student knows or wants to acquire.
• Individual and societies - consisting of subjects such as history, business and management, psychology or geography.
• Experimental sciences - students explore different aspects of science through subjects such as physics, computer sciences, biology or chemistry.
• Mathematics - students can choose the level at which they want to study the subject, from math studies which is the absolute basics, to the very demanding higher level.
• Arts - contains creative subjects such art, drama or music. Alternatively, students may choose to do another subject from the other groups, instead of an arts subject.

The International Baccalaureate  consists of many different elements, which is what makes it so different from other qualifications. It focuses not only on the intellectual side of a person, but on other aspects as well.

The Extended Essay that has to be written during the IB years is similar to papers written in university. The IB encourages critical thinking – students have to do a lot of work and research by themselves to arrive at answers. It is great preparation for later life – it teaches you time management and shows you how important being organized is. It also encourages independence.

“I personally recommend the IB program at BISC , because I feel it is one of the best options to choose in your final two years of study in high school. It is challenging, yes, however it is also very fulfilling.”

This article was submitted by the British International School of Cracow , and co-written by students Marta Wicherek and Malgorzata Szymanska.