International Baccalaureate

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Welcome!
 

Class of 2024:

For our class of 2024, please see this outline of some important due dates: 
IB Grade 12 Deadlines and Session Calendar 2024.pdf

Here is the examination schedule for April-May.  Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time. 

Each of you has a hard copy of your individual timetable.  There are extremely few circumstances that would permit an alteration to individual exam dates, times or location; please contact me directly with any concerns or inquiries.

I will host a meeting before the exam period to go over some protocols and help put you at ease.

Application Process:

The application process for the class of 2028 is now concluded.  Congratulations to all successful applicants.
 
For students seeking to enter the IB programme for either their grade 10 or grade 11 year, please complete this application.

All applicants must secure a teacher referral, to be sent directly to the IB coordinator, found here.  Applicants are responsible for communicating the deadline to their chosen teacher.

Important Dates:

Applications for individuals seeking to enter in either grade 10 or 11 are due by Feb 23 at 3:00pm.  Late applications may be considered, but only if space in the programme permits.  Please note that applicants in this group will be contacted only if space permits.  Spaces may come available up to and including Labour Day weekend, though traditionally there are few openings.

Financial Information:

The IB programme charges student fees in order to support the additional operational costs (software, training, textbooks, examiners, curriculum design, certification, etc.).

Fees for students starting the IB programme in the 2024-2025 school year are $2600 in total, payable in installments of $600 in each of grades 9 and 10, and $700 in each of grades 11 and 12.

Financial barriers will not prevent students from accessing the IB programme.  Please see the bursary application found here if needed.    




About the IB Programme: 
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 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 IB Programme for the Limestone District School Board is hosted at the fantastic new facilities at Kingston Secondary School on Kirkpatrick Street.  

The International Baccalaureate (IB) was first conceived in the late 1960s by the International School of Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland. From its small beginnings the IB has grown steadily; the internationally-acclaimed programme operates in 5000 schools in over 150 countries.


What is an IB Education?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) was first conceived in the late 1960s by the International School of Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland. From its small beginnings the IB has grown steadily; the internationally-acclaimed programme operates in 4,954 schools in 153 countries.

The IB programme is a 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, and 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; and 
  • 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.

Who should apply to IB?

The IB has international recognition, standing and standards.  As a result, its graduates gain preferred status at some of the world's best universities. 

The IB attracts highly motivated students, stimulated as much by the learning process as the results. The IB is for committed, hardworking students with good study skills. Those seeking the ultimate high school learning experience based on inquiry, critical thinking, and international-mindedness, as well as a diploma representing superior university preparation, will want to enroll in the IB.


Why do IB?

  • Faculty trained by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
  • Exams evaluated by international educators 
  • Provides rigorous academic preparation for university based on international standards
  • Opportunity for advanced standing and course credit in prestigious colleges and universities throughout the world
  • Implements a curriculum taught from a global perspective 
  • Delivers liberal arts curriculum incorporating humanities, mathematics, and sciences 
  • Designed for the highly motivated student seeking educational challenges
  • Students gain a sense of accomplishment in meeting the challenges of an international standard of excellence 

KSS maintains an atmosphere of enthusiasm for learning. The staff is prepared to provide students with the services, resources and commitment necessary to facilitate their success in the programme.

The school also provides a wide range of facilities and support services such as: fully staffed LPS and Student Services areas; access to the Queen's University library system; and French immersion courses.

The IB Programme draws on the full potential of students and provides them with an opportunity for excellence in their high school education.

IB Curriculum

IB courses are offered at two levels: standard level (SL) and higher level (HL). SL courses are recommended to take 150 hours of instruction time whereas HL courses are recommended to take 240 hours of instruction time. Students are required to take at least three and not more than four courses at HL and the others at SL. By arranging courses this way students can explore some subjects in more depth while maintaining a broad program of study.

IB Diploma candidates at KSS are required to make selections from the following six groups of subjects:

Group 1: Language A
• English SL or HL

Group 2: Language Acquisition
• French SL or HL
• Spanish Ab Initio SL

Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Business & Management Studies SL or HL
• Psychology SL or HL

Group 4: Sciences
• Biology SL or HL
• Physics SL or HL
• Environmental Systems and Societies SL

Group 5:Mathematics
• Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL or HL
• Mathematics: Applications & Interpretations SL

Group 6: Arts and Electives
• Film SL or HL
• Music SL
• Chemistry SL or HL 

KSS offers this programme in addition to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). OSSD requirements and courses are integrated with the IB requirements so that upon successful completion of the programme a student is awarded both the IB Diploma and the OSSD.

In order to receive the IB Diploma students must:

  • successfully write the IB internal and external assessments and the IB examinations in six subject areas
  • successfully complete the IB course Theory of Knowledge
  • successfully write an Extended Essay on a topic of their choice; and
  • complete the Creativity, Activity, Service component

IB Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme is an internationally recognized, two-year pre-university programme. The curriculum is rigorous, academically demanding and requires students to be highly motivated. To succeed in this program students must demonstrate commitment, ability and interest.

Image of IB Diploma Programme continuum.The IB Diploma Programme has six major academic areas (displayed in the model below). Students must take one subject from each of the six groups. This means that a science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language and a natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures. At the core of the IB Diploma Programme are three unique curriculum requirements: a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, an Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).

TOK activities and discussions aim to help students discover and express their views on knowledge issues.  In the simplest terms possible, the course asks students to ponder how they know what they know.

The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word research paper that is intended to promote independent, high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. It provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research on a topic of their choice, under the guidance of a supervisor.

CAS is a co-curricular program that enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning, lending an important counterbalance to the academic rigours of the rest of the IB Diploma Programme.

CAS at a glance

100 CAS ideas

Students participate in the following three components:

  • Creativity - arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking
  • Activity - physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle
  • Service - an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student

IB Registration Fees

The IBO charges fees to affiliate schools based on the number of students enrolled and the number of exams written.

These fees are passed on to the students entering the programme in September 2024 according to the following schedule:
Pre-IB Programme Registration Fee $600 (Yr 1)
Pre-IB Programme Fee $600 (Yr 2)
Grade 11 (IB year 1) $700
Grade 12 (IB year 2) $700

Please note, all IB fees are non-refundable. Bursaries are available, by annual application, for students in financial need.



Limestone Pre-IB Application Process

Please see the main IB page for application information and links.

Incoming Grade 9s:


Students from Grade 8 at any school from any school board may apply for admission to the Limestone Pre-IB Programme. Please note that bussing is available through Triboard Transportation, but is not guaranteed for students outside the standard KSS catchment area.  



Students applying AFTER their Grade 9 year must contact the IB Coordinator to discuss space availability and to set up a meeting to review the student's academic record and educational goals. Please contact the IB Coordinator for more information.



IB Diploma Application Process

Students in the Limestone Pre-IB Programme do not need to re-apply. However, students new to the KSS IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 and 12) must meet with the IB Coordinator to discuss entry into the programme. Applications are only accepted if there is space in the programme.

If you live outside of the catchment area for KSS, bus transportation to KSS must be requested via Tri-Board Student Transportation. Bus transportation may be available, but is not guaranteed.

KSS IB Diploma Handbook

Please note that this handbook is currently being revised.  If you note any details of significance to your situation, please contact the IB coordinator to ensure accuracy.  This version is being left accessible because much of the information is general in nature and remains accurate.

KSS IB Diploma Handbook

Contact Us


 Adam Watson, IB Coordinator
Phone Image  613-544-4811 ext. 11167
[email protected]

Bonney Morris-Pocock,
Head of Student Services
Phone Image  613-544-4811 ext. 11169
[email protected]

Follow us on Twitter
@ib_limestone

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