IB Diploma Programme
LCC is the only English high school in Montreal to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), where the focus is on an academically challenging, international education.
The programme is taught over a two-year period (grades 11 and 12), and positions students for direct entrance to university anywhere in the world. Its mission and philosophy are entirely in line with LCC’s mission of fully developing students in mind, body, and heart, and preparing them for success and leadership in a sustainable global society.
Approximately 50% of students in grades 11 and 12 opt for the IB Diploma Programme.
Read this comparison of university outcomes of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme graduates to their their peers in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada.
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- About IB
- Curriculum
- Diploma Requirements
- University Preparation
- Student Profile
- Results
- Information & Resources
- Q & A
About IB
In April 2013, LCC was recognized as an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the Diploma Programme for students in grades 11 and 12. Although other schools in Quebec offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) or the Middle Years Programme (MYP), we are currently the only English high school in Montreal offering the Diploma Programme (DP).
The IB mission and philosophy are entirely in line with our school’s mission of fully developing students in mind, body, and heart, and preparing them for success and leadership in a sustainable global society.
International Baccalaureate schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to a high quality, challenging, international education.
The Diploma Programme:
- Is an academically rigorous and balanced course of study with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and in life.
- Is a two-year programme that has gained recognition and respect from the world's leading universities.
- Enhances our existing Pre-University: Grade 12 Program and its reputation for outstanding university preparation.
- Allows for direct access to universities worldwide, including in Quebec, for students who gain requisite standing in the programme .
Since 1970, over half a million students have graduated with an IB diploma worldwide.
Read:
The IB Mission“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.” |
Curriculum
The IB curriculum comprises a ‘core’ and six subject groups. Students select one course from each of the subject groups below. Three Higher and Standard level courses (HL and SL) are required to obtain the Diploma. Students may select an additional elective from groups 2 - 4 instead of an option in group 6. Even though these courses run over the two-year period, the IB curriculum gels with the Quebec curriculum and all students fulfill their high school leaving requirements after grade 11. Students who complete IBDP courses but not the full Diploma requirements can also earn recognition for their completed IB courses.
Disclaimer: Students may choose no more than one online course in their selections, and entry into the course is subject to a successful interview. Please note that there is an additional cost for online and SSST courses.
The Core
In addition to the six subjects, the IB Diploma involves completing three elements of the core:
- Students follow a course in Theory of Knowledge (see subject brief), where they are encouraged to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing and different kinds of knowledge while drawing on their courses of study.
- IB Diploma students must complete a 4,000-word Extended Essay (see subject brief), requiring independent research through an in-depth study of a question related to one of the subjects they are studying.
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) (see subject brief) requires that students actively learn from the experience of performing real tasks beyond the classroom.
| GROUP 1 Language & Literature |
English A Language & Literature: SL & HL School-supported self-taught language (SSST) courses and online language courses may be available for SL only. Consult with the Admissions Office. Additional costs apply. |
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GROUP 2
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French Ab Initio SL |
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GROUP 3
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History SL & HL * Additional costs apply |
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GROUP 4
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Chemistry SL & HL |
| GROUP 5 Mathematics
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Analysis & Approaches SL & HL |
| GROUP 6 The Arts |
Visual Arts SL & HL (Or an additional elective from one of the other subject groups 2-4 based on availability) |
Diploma Requirements
To earn the diploma, students must complete a course of study in the six subject areas and the three elements of the core for two years. There are externally set and corrected exams at the end of the two-year course in most subject areas. This external assessment determines the score students receive.
Students may take up to four IB courses without enrolling in the IBDP and may be able to earn advanced standing in those courses in university. Note that these courses must be followed over the two years.
Additional Information:
University Preparation
A few fast facts:
- A study conducted by the University of British Columbia concluded that the mean first year average of North American IB students is 4.35% higher than other North American secondary school students.
- In a survey that we conducted among our first cohort of IB students, 76% reported that the IB Diploma was instrumental in gaining admission to the university of their choice, 94% reported that the IB Programme was excellent preparation for university, and 81% reported that their grades either went up or stayed the same in first year.
- The 2014 National Association for College Admission Counseling survey revealed that the primary criterion for 79% of admission professionals is grades in college prep courses. IB or AP exams were number one for approximately 7% of those surveyed.
- Whether or not a student gets advanced credits depends on the university, the IB courses completed, exam courses and the program to which the student has applied. McGill, for example, may give credit for one full year, while UBC gives first year credit based on performance in higher level IB courses (and some standard level courses. In our survey, 77% said they received university credits for IB courses.
- Select universities report that if a school offers an enriched program, a student’s choice to take a less rigorous program can have a negative impact on the admission decision.
Note that every university and program has its own admission requirements that will vary. UBC, for example, places a premium on IB students.
Read:
Student Profile
IB Learner Profile
Academic Requirements for IBDP
Students entering the programme should have an average of at least 85%. Some HL courses, e.g., science and math, require a grade of at least 88%. Self-motivated, these students demonstrate the ability to think critically and show evidence of good research skills and proactive commitment to community service, activity and creativity.
Results
Information & Resources
For further information, contact:
Dawn Levy
Director of Enrolment & Communications
514-482-9797, ext. 294
IB Online Resources
Q & A
- Will there be fees over and above the LCC tuition fees?
- What happens if the student withdraws from the programme after grade 11?
- Do teachers receive special training to teach at the IB level?
- If a student is a grade 11 LCC graduate who did not take the IB option, can they enrol in the Pre-U program?
- What is the minimum IB score for university admission?
- Do IBDP students take part in the co-curricular life of the school?
Will there be fees over and above the LCC tuition fees?
What happens if the student withdraws from the programme after grade 11?
Do teachers receive special training to teach at the IB level?
Each IB teacher/administrator is required to complete intensive training workshops sanctioned by the IBO and is also expected to attend subsequent workshops for further training once s/he has been teaching/administering the DP for at least two years. The curriculum for each course changes every seven years, and teachers in the affected subject areas must be retrained at this point.
