International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global curriculum framework designed to shape young individuals into an inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring generation.

IB programmes empower students to own their learning, develop future-ready skills, and thrive in an ever-changing world. By encouraging critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches, IB education promotes personal growth and academic excellence. It also fosters diversity and passion for learning.

Schools in the UAE can apply to offer one or more of the following IB Programmes: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma ProgramProgramme (DP), and Career-Related Programme (CP). In Abu Dhabi schools, the IB framework incorporates teaching and learning approaches from the United States, Australia, Italy, or the United Kingdom while aligning with content outcomes.

Progression

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) provides schools with a curriculum framework of essential elements — knowledge, concepts, skills, attributes, and actions that young students need to equip them for successful lives.
The PYP allows educators to take a concept-driven teaching and learning approach to transform the school community and culture. The PYP also encourages student collaboration, promotes international-mindedness, and develops skills involving multilingual learning. The program addresses the content of Mathematics, Languages, Science, Social Studies, ICT, PSPE, and Arts through transdisciplinary thematic units of inquiry.
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is an inclusive, whole-school program that helps students aged 11 - 16 make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and life. The MYP develops well-rounded students who can compete on a global stage, building skills valued by both parents and employers.
Through its interdisciplinary teaching style that is engaging for both teachers and students, the MYP fosters intercultural understanding and international mindedness. The programme includes reliable, globally consistent, highly innovative assessments that help schools achieve outstanding student outcomes. The Middle Years curriculum framework comprises of 8 subject groups, for each of which schools must provide at least 50 hours of teaching time in each year of the program.
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) organizes teaching and learning through six subject groups underpinned by the DP core. Students choose a course from within each subject group. For most courses, students take written examinations at the end of the DP.
The Diploma Programme consists of three core elements:
Theory of Knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge.
Extended Essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research culminating in an essay.
Creativity, Activity, and Service, in which students complete a project
The Career-related Programme: In addition to these core elements, students may choose courses from various subject groups. Students must select six subjects in total, meaning one subject from each of the following: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Science, Mathematics, and optionally, either Arts, or an additional course from one of the previous groups.

The table below shows the academic journey that a student studying an American curriculum is expected to take

Age	Grade
3-4	Pre-KG
4-5	KG 1
5-6	KG2
6-7	Grade 1
7-8	Grade 2
8-9	Grade 3
9-10	Grade 4
10-11	Grade 5
11-12	Grade 6
12-13	Grade 7
13-14	Grade 8
14-15	Grade 9
15-16	Grade 10
16-17	Grade 11
17-18	Grade 12

Assessments

Primary Years Programme (PYP): Students undertake a collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiry process to identify, investigate, and offer solutions to a real-life problem and present their project as part of a culminating Exhibition of Learning.
Middle Years Programme (MYP):
Mandatory MYP personal project: In the final year of the MYP (Grade 10), students complete a long-term project designed as an independent learning experience of approximately 25 hours.
To earn an MYP Programme certificate, students successfully pass the e-Assessment: Participation in the MYP e-Assessment provides IB-validated grades based on examinations and course work, i.e., personal projects, onscreen exams, and coursework ePortfolio.

To teach IB Programmes, schools must be authorized by IBO. Every school authorized to offer IB programs is known as an IB World School.
Schools can be authorized for individual IB programs or all programs offered by IBO.

Further Details

More details on the IB framework and different programs are available on their website. Click Here

Find a Nursery or School