Internacional Baccalaureate (IB) – English

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The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a global and multilingual certificate recognised in more than 90 countries. It is certified by the IBO – International Baccalaureate Organisation which is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland.

As an IB World School, São Luís College offers to its students the option to do the High School – Brazilian curriculum together with the Diploma Programme.

What is important to know before choosing the IB Diploma Programme?

Ensino Médio + IB are completed in 3 years
The Diploma is a two-year programme and happens within the three years of the Brazilian Ensino Médio. Students will be in a specific year group and will have all disciplines, being them from the IB or the Brazilian Curriculum within the same number of hours as the other year groups which is 45 hours per week.
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There are three core subjects
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) which is a subject that reflects on the nature and issues of knowledge. How do we know we know?; Extended Essay (EE) which is an academic research done in a specific area with a tutor’s guide; and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) which involves activities and projects developed by students that could have an impact on community as well as self-development.
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The Diploma Programme is recognised in many universities around the world
Following the north hemisphere school calendar at the end of the second semester of 3a série EM students will sit IB exams that together with all other assessments will be analysed by foreign universities. Also, some universities in Brazil are accepting IB grades as a means of application and acceptance. Here in São Paulo we have ESPM, FIA, FAAP, FGC and Einstein School of Medicine.
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Both programmes are integrated
We have 7 components from the Brazilian curriculum and 9 components from de IBDP. Students will graduate with both certificates at the end of 3 years.
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The IB subjects are taught in English
The IB subjects are taught in English which stimulates the fluency in the language of instruction. The exceptions are Portuguese and Brazilian Social Studies which are taught in Portuguese.
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The IB approaches focus on autonomy and responsibility
Autonomy and responsibility towards studying are more evident during lessons, and development and organisation of projects. In addition, students should complete a series of internal assessments that are mostly done outside classroom time.
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Understanding the core subjects

The subject reflects on the process of acquisition of knowledge and how do we know things. Tok promotes an important connection among all the other components enabling students to identify and understand the connections and the issues of knowledge within different areas. Consequently students will develop the capacity to evaluate information with critical thinking and reflect on personal assumptions.

EE is known in the Brazilian curriculum as TCC. EE consists in an essay of 4000 words maximum with the guidance of a teacher. It allows students to develop a piece of work based on a research question preparing them for academic papers in universities. The EE is to be completed in 3 semesters from choosing the theme till the final essay, references and presentation.

This is a very practical subject that involves working after school hours with the objective of developing projects on creativity activity and service on its own or combined. There are journals, routines and reflections to be developed during the activities or projects. Students may experience different activities till they choose which project to develop. It could go from organising a group to paint a social institution, raise funds for an emergency action, organise activities in or outside school, promote healthy physical activities, championships in institutions, etc. Discussions, reflection and group work are often used as means of achieving the purpose. It helps to develop ethical consciousness self-confidence and maturity helping students to become more open minded and reflective. It enables them to develop skills to engage in actions that promote citizenship.

Other IB disciplines

In addition to the core subjects – Theory of knowledge (TOK); Extended test (EE); and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – the IBDP Subjects is formed by other six disciplines. Click below to know the programm of those disciplines:

Process of Admission

The admission’s process to the Ensino Médio – Currículo Brasileiro com Certificado IB happens once a year together with the school’s admission process.

The publication of the notice takes place between May and July. During the second semester of the year all candidates interested (São Luís students as well as students from other schools) take part in a process with tests and interviews in order to evaluate proficiency in English level B2 ( according to CERF) in the following abilities: reading, listening, writing and speaking). Also interviews will help to evaluate students’ profile (autonomy and independence) and willingness to be part of the programme.

More informations available >>

Admissions Policy