IBO is an international organisation founded in 1968. Since then, it has developed a range of programmes for different-age students. Up to now, more than 4,000 schools have decided to teach International Baccalaureate programmes, thus employing over 70,000 educators and teaching to more than one million students.
IB programmes are taught worldwide and guarantee a wide range of benefits. First and foremost, the IB Diploma Programme (DP) educates students more likely to enroll in one of the UK’s top Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). IB researches show evidence of this: according to a study by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) made in the UK among 2007 and 2009, 44,2% of the IB Diploma students gained access to the top 20 HEIs, in contrast to 20% of A-level entrants enrolling in the same structures. Furthermore, the same IB students were more likely to receive honours degrees or awards in the majority of subjects, in addition to continuing on to further studies and be employed in graduate level positions and higher paid occupations. If other countries are taken into account, case studies in Australia show that IB students are more likely to be offered admission and to graduate within five years, if compared to their non-IB counterparts. Furthermore, in 2012, 71.6% of DP graduates from schools in China enrolled in one of the world’s top 500 universities. In Mexico, DP students, teachers and administrators report a high level of preparedness for college coursework. Moreover, academically stronger students tend to enroll in the DP, because of a lack of satisfaction with other school options.
If the IB core elements are taken into consideration, studies evidence that the impact the Extended Essay (EE)* has on students is deep and substantial. DP students report that EE strengthens their critical thinking skills and ability of independently research. In North and South America, studies evidence that CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) programmes help DP students to develop open-mindedness and reflection, together with altruistic motivation.
Generally, former IB students at the university appear to be more confident about their research abilities and preparation, in contrast to their A-level counterparts. Not only has the IB programme proven to be effective for students’ preparation, researches show it has a positive impact also on school staff. Studies in Ecuador evidence increased professionalism, a greater preparation and organisation, in addition to a reduced amount of time needed to perform more work.
Overall, studies give evidence of the high level of IB programmes and of the results achieved through its education system to shape successful students in both personal and working life. GSO is an IB World School focused on the development of talents and by virtue of this philosophy, aims at giving its students the possibility to successfully grow.