The IB Diploma
	The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is an internationally acclaimed, comprehensive, academically-rigorous course of study that encourages highly motivated juniors and seniors to strive to be: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced and Reflective. Designed as a two-year curriculum in which candidates take courses in six different subject areas, the program also mandates the completion of three core elements central to the philosophy of the IB curriculum: Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class, designed to explore the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of diverse cultural perspectives; Extended Essay (4,000 words), offering the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest, and acquainting students with the independent research and writing skills expected at the collegiate level; and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS), encouraging students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work, thus fostering students’ awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena.   All Stoneleigh-Burnham juniors (starting with the class of 2013) will be invited to enroll in the optional two-year IB Diploma Program. Students will also be able to take single or multiple IB courses to earn individual certificates of study without completing the entire IB Diploma. If a student wants to work toward the full IB Diploma, she will be required to indicate her intentions during the winter term of her sophomore year. The IB Diploma is awarded following successful completion of six courses plus the extended essay, TOK and CAS. External examiners will assess individual student performance. This evaluation is based primarily on final year examinations taken in all subjects as well as internal assessments completed over the two years, for example, oral examinations, science laboratory investigation reports and portfolios of artwork. Most importantly, the IB Diploma signifies that the student has taken an active role in her own intellectual development.