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TPS - Understanding the IB program

Be knowledgeable about the IB program before you enrol your child. The purpose of this page is to help you get to know as much as you can about the IB program and help you to find a tutor, study help and practice. Why do this when a tutor can tell you this information? Well, since you are paying for a tutor, it may be a waste of your money to have the tutor explain this. You would rather focus on developing skills and strategies than learning about the nature of the test. I will provide a start but will give you a number of links to give you as much knowledge as you can. The best place to get fuller details is the IB official page and it is recommended that you use this rather than at the school it is offered.

What is the International Bacculaureate (IB) Program?

A school must be authorized to offer an IB program and when it is it is considered an IB World School. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is authorized to follow a different curriculum based on the principles of international education. Although challenging from an academic perspective it also stresses personal and achievement. A child in IB will usually find him/herself involved in many assignments and projects as opposed to just tests and they often involve intense cooperation with classmates.

One of the features to be aware of is that often students who received top grades in regular studies find themselves getting lower grades in IB. The grading system is different and this can place a lot of stress on a student.If a nice university is the final goal, unless you are the at the top, there is massive grade deflation. You work twice as hard on material that is twice as hard, make some mistakes and you are at an 80-85. There is no weighted grading system in Ontario so universities can't adjust the grades unlike the US. A 80-something% student in IB would be a 90 something percent student in regular classes. This is adjusted in the United States but not in Canada. So for scholarships and admissions into competitive programs, you may find yourself getting passed over.

95-100 = 7
89-94 = 6
84-88=5
78-83=4

7's in IB are reserved for geniuses. IB doesn't give out grades easily unlike Ontario high schools. Kids who get 7's are usually the ones at Harvard, Oxford, etc.

What are the IB Parts & How is IB assessed?

There are 3 programs at the school level. The most common is the Diploma program which has been around since 1968. The Middle years program is growing in popularity and is becoming a desired choice particularly for many international students seeking more challenge in their studies. The Primary years program is new but also gaining popularity.

Primary Years Programme
Age range: 3-12

Middle Years Programme
Age range: 11-16

Diploma Programme
Age range: 16-19

Is IB for my child?

The IB programme is not for everyone and can be a nightmare for some students. In general, it is good preparation for University as students are taught to research and analyze facts and sources, building important critical thinking skills. A few issues to consider:

Is my child a good time manager? IB requires many assignments and it is not unusual for students to be working on 3 or 4 in the same week.
Does my child take a keen interest in world issues, culture, and science discovery? IB is often engaged with issues that affect the larger community.
Can my child accept possibly lower marks than usual? The marking system often makes it very difficult to receive top grades.
Is my child self motivated? Much learning is hands on, independent work that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world.

IB schools in Ottawa

Ashbury College (DP)
362 Mariposa Ave., Ottawa, ON K1M 0T3
613-749-5954
613-749-9724

College Catholique Franco-ouest
411 Seyton Drive, Nepean, ON K2H 8X1
613-820-2920
613-820-7593

Colonel By S.S.
2381 Ogilvie Rd., Ottawa, ON K1J 7N4
613-745-9411
613-745-4680

Ecole Secondaire Publiques Deslauriers (DP, MYP)
159 rue Chesterton, Ottawa, ON K2E 7E6
(613) 820-0992
(613) 820-9012

Elmwood School (DP, MYP, PYP)
261 Buena Vista Rd., Ottawa, ON K1M 0V9
(613) 749-6761
(613) 741-8210

IB Tutorial Course

Look through the IB Course in the Tutor Courses Page. This gives a general idea of what is involved. Of course, all tutorial programs are highly tailor-made, so feel free to express your specific requirements and issues to the tutor. It is important to make sure that you understand what areas you need to improve. Every IB course must use writing as its primary focus since it is the most important area for institutions that require it.

Find an IB Tutor

Have reasonably clear aims, understand your needs and research the IB program before contacting TPS about a tutor. We have IB tutors in Ottawa. Make sure that you also look at the times available page, the student and tutor obligations page as well as the pricing and policy page.

IB Tips and Practice

We do have a page for particular help a student can receive in IB called IB Tips and Practice. On this page you can find several links to sites that give IB exams and we also give our own tips and archive them on an IB blog