International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a group of three educational programmes and their respective examinations, as established by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

These three programmes are the following:
* IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for pupils aged 3 to 12
* IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for pupils aged 11 to 16
* IB Diploma Programme (DP) for pupils aged 16 to 19

The programmes are modelled after educational systems from around the world, without being based on any particular one, incorporating both the breadth offered by some as well as the early specialisation offered by others. The Diploma Programme started in 1968, the Middle Years programme was introduced in 1994, and the Primary Years Programme in 1997. Their rigour and high standards have ensured their wide recognition throughout the world.

The International Baccalaureate Programme is also a common misnomer used to refer to one of these programmes (most frequently the IB Diploma Programme). High schools often advertise that they offer the “International Baccalaureate Programme,” in which case it is obvious that they are referring to the DP as it is the only of the three programmes intended for students of senior high school age. However, the use of this form may cause confusion in some cases. These schools may also offer the MYP to lower classes – for example, freshmen and sophomores have the Middle Years Program, then juniors and seniors have the full Diploma Program.

See also

* Schools which offer one or more IB programmes

External links

* International Baccalaureate Organization
* International Baccalaureate at the Open Directory Project