ᐅ IB Diploma Programme Switzerland ᐅ St. George's IB School

IB School in Switzerland, Montreux

Founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) has developed four different educational programmes. St. George's International School offers the IB Diploma Programme, or IBDP, a challenging two-year curriculum for pupils aged 16 to 19. This qualification is welcomed by leading universities around the world.

The IB Diploma pupils develop their academic and personal strengths by: asking challenging questions; learning how to learn; developing a strong sense of their own identity and culture; and building communication skills and understanding of other cultures.

As a school with a personalised learning approach and a unique variety of co-curricular programmes, we are incredibly proud of our reputation as a top IB school in Switzerland.

Benefits of Studying the IBDP

The International Baccalaureate programme is renowned for its academic rigour and holistic approach to education. By challenging students to think critically, ask pertinent questions, and apply their knowledge across various disciplines, the curriculum gives learners the best platform for academic and personal growth.

The IB approach to learning goes further than traditional academics. At the heart of the IB philosophy is the IB learner profile, which depicts a well-rounded global leader that the IB programme seeks to cultivate.

The innate flexibility of IB programmes allows learners to not only craft a personalised study path but also develop a strong work ethic, a broad knowledge base and a wealth of valuable, in-demand competencies. As a result, graduates are well-equipped to attend top universities around the world and thrive in whatever industry they end up in.

Why Choose St. George's to Study the IB?

St. George’s is proud to be ranked among the top IB schools in Switzerland in recent years. Our legacy of academic excellence makes St. George’s the most appropriate choice for students who are looking for challenge and depth in pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Learners are fully supported on their journey to success, enjoy excellent tutelage from experienced IB educators, and extend their abilities inside and outside the classroom by exploring a wealth of enriching activities. As a consequence, they become talented, confident, multi-skilled graduates whose final IB results are among the best in Switzerland.

In consultation with academic staff, pupils can choose between two different language pathways, English and a bilingual English/French route, and develop a personalised IB programme for their strengths, needs and goals for university and future career paths.

International Baccalaureate Schools of Montreux

IB Programme

In Year 12, pupils begin their two-year IB Diploma Programme, fully prepared by the comprehensive Cambridge curriculum and IGCSEs; however, we also support learners joining from outside St. George’s, as well as those coming from other educational systems. The IBDP at St. George's offers a comprehensive, challenging curriculum designed to prepare students for success at the university level and well beyond.

IB pupils study three subjects at Higher Level, and three at Standard Level, selected from six different group areas. This allows pupils to explore some subjects in-depth, and others more broadly over a two-year period.

All learners must follow programmes and successfully complete tasks in Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Action, Service. They must also select a topic for an individual piece of research for their International Baccalaureate Extended Essay.

IB Subjects

The IBDP offers a wide selection of subject options and combinations. Learners may choose to pursue personal interests and extend their knowledge in exciting disciplines, supported by teachers with outstanding credentials and access to the most innovative, cutting-edge resources. The DP at St. George's features a wealth of IB courses catering to learners' strengths, needs and goals for future study and career paths.

As a requirement of the IB Diploma, learners choose subjects from six groups:

• Studies in language & literature
• Language acquisition
• Individuals & societies
• Sciences
• Mathematics
• Arts

In addition to their chosen subjects, IBDP students complete the IBDP Core, which includes Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS); Theory of Knowledge (TOK); and a 4,000-word Extended Essay. This diverse curriculum equips students with the knowledge, skills and global perspective necessary to thrive in their future academic and professional pursuits.

Our university counsellor is available to guide learners with their subject choices and provide information about universities, allowing each learner to achieve their ambitions by developing a tailored, stimulating study programme.If you wish to learn more, please get in touch by clicking the 'Enquire Now' button and completing an Enquiry Form.

Requirements to Study the IBDP

The IB Diploma Programme is developed for learners between the ages of 16 and 19. It is a rigorous and wide-ranging programme where learners develop key study skills, become active and engaged citizens, and establish a path to the future of their dreams. We expect learners who enrol in the IBDP to show seriousness and a deep commitment to their studies, and a readiness to rise to the challenge that this programme presents.

Pupils advancing from IGCSE require 5 C Grades in order to proceed to our IB Diploma Programme.

When applying to St. George’s at the IBDP level, learners will sit the English Placement Test and Cognitive Ability Test (CAT). This is usually completed online, though alternative arrangements may be available at the discretion of school leadership. Following completion of the entrance tests, candidates will join an interview with the relevant Head of School.

St. George’s pupils aged 15 to 16 may complete the Pre-Diploma Programme, a one-year preparatory course for future DP students. Designed to give learners a robust academic foundation, our Pre-Diploma Programme covers various subjects from Mathematics & Technology to Foreign Language, Arts and Humanities.

IB Grade System and Assessment

The IB grade system is the same across subjects and ensures rigorous standardisation the world over. The IB Diploma is granted through formal assessment. Each subject is graded on a scale of 7 (maximum) to 1 (minimum). This gives a total raw points score with a maximum of 42 points.

In order to obtain the IB Diploma, pupils must meet defined standards and conditions, including a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of the three Core Diploma requirements.

Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay combine to contribute a possible 3 additional points to the overall score; in other words, the IB grade system allows students to score up to 45 points for the IBDP.

IB Teachers

Research shows that deep subject expertise significantly boosts both teaching effectiveness and pupil outcomes; our IB teachers are a testament to this. Throughout the IB courses, our learners are taught by experienced subject specialists with top credentials. An effective learning experience is achieved through small class sizes and a low pupil-to-teacher ratio.

Our talented teachers pride themselves on having the highest academic standards. Their approach is highly personalised: by tailoring their methods to each learner’s ambitions, needs and interests, our IB teachers aim to support and stretch each learner in equal measure until they exceed their own expectations. Our subject specialists are committed to delivering top outcomes in the IB Diploma. With outstanding preparation from our IB teachers, learners build confidence, develop in-demand skills and excel in both internal and external IB assessments.

Montreux IB Education for international students

The Core of the IB Diploma

When completing the Extended Essay, IB learners investigate a topic of individual interest. They learn independent research and writing skills expected at university and are required to write a 4,000-word essay.

Theory of Knowledge, or TOK, provides coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) encourages pupils to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service, thus fostering learners’ awareness and appreciation of non-academic life.

Learn More About the IB

What are the characteristics of an ideal IB student?

IB Diploma pupils are active, compassionate, and lifelong learners and will exhibit each of the characteristics in the IB learner profile at various stages during their education. The IB learner profile was developed from the IBO Mission Statement and describes the ideal character of an IB pupil: IB Diploma pupils are encouraged to be Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, Risk-takers, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Knowledgeable, Balanced and Reflective.

What languages is the IB studied in?

At St. George’s, the IB Diploma Programme’s main language of instruction is English. We offer the choice between an English route, where pupils learn French as a second language, and a bilingual route. For French and English language beginners, we provide a comprehensive language acquisition programme.

Our Language Planning service collaborates with families to assess each pupil’s language profile and support their linguistic ambitions.

When do IB assessments take place?

External examinations for the IBDP are taken in all subjects in May of Year 13 alongside the internal assessments conducted throughout the programme.

How is the IBDP useful?

As a result of their robust education, IB pupils are better prepared for further study and enjoy diverse career paths. Graduates of St. George’s achieve top IB results and attend highly prestigious universities in Switzerland and overseas.

Discover a path to unlimited opportunities. For further details on our top-ranked IB school, please click the button to submit an Enquiry Form.

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International Baccalaureate (IB)