IB DIPLOMA AT ISLAND ACADEMY

An International Education Alternative for Antigua:

The vision informing Island Academy’s educational mission is a judgment that the so-called global society is a reality to be embraced rather than feared. As Antigua’s sole international school and premiere K-Diploma educational institution, we strive to appeal to a diverse international and expatriate community as well as to meet the needs of the local population. Our approach is reflected in the objective to produce not only superiorly-educated young adults , most of whom will go forth to study in the finest universities in the Caribbean area and the world at large, but as well to foster values of tolerance, curiosity, and respect for others.

The school’s commitment to “Solidarity in Diversity” is especially appropriate to this locale, an island nation whose peaceful and accepting reputation is the envy of many neighboring countries in turmoil and conflict. There is a synergy in the school community in which those coming from abroad are made to feel at home, while those from Antigua are made to feel that the world is their home.

To best accomplish these goals, in 2009 Island Academy joined the select group of schools around the world offering the INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM, a final two-year course of study leading to both the Island Academy High School Diploma and (if taken in full) the prestigious I.B. Diploma. Students may choose to do the full IB Program (as described in what follows), or opt for the Island Academy High School Diploma with I.B. certificates in individual courses of their choosing.

Choosing Which of the Three Tracks to Follow in the Final Two Years:

Standard Track for the I.A. Diploma:
All courses in the final two years follow the IB syllabi outlined below, so there is no discrimination between course content of those following what we may call the standard I.A. diploma track and those students opting for IB individual course certificates or the full IB diploma. But there may be specific reasons for a student’s not choosing to take either of the latter two tracks, the most obvious being in the case of a final year transfer student coming from a non-IB school. As all IB courses with only very special exceptions have to be followed over a two-year period, this student would enter his/her final year of study taking the appropriate level courses as outlined below (three at IB Higher Level (HL) level and three at Standard Level (SL), while not being subject to IB external examinations or evaluations.

Alternatively, let us take the example of a student with an exceptional ability in say, sport or music. This individual might with good justification want to devote all of his/her non-academic attention pursuing that interest, gaining significant amount of extra time in that regard by not being subject to the full demands of the IB “core” Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Extended Essay, CAS (explained below). Note, however, that all I.A. diploma students are expected to perform a minimum amount of community service, complete a senior project or essay, and attend one of the two-years of ToK.

I.A. Diploma with IB Certificates:
The IB Full Diploma Program may not be appropriate for some students, given the scope and depth of challenge presented. As with the Standard I.A. Diploma Track learner, this student can follow the same excellent curriculum as his/her classmates, with the reduced “core trio” of ToK, Extended Essay and CAS requirements, while opting for IB Certificates in specific courses of choice. This means additional work in order to meet the external evaluation criteria of the IB examiners, but with the reward of probable university credit for those courses in which a high score is achieved.

I.A. Diploma with the Full IB:

The Full International Baccalaureate Program:

The IB is a rigorous course of study designed to meet the needs of highly motivated secondary students and to promote international understanding.

The effectiveness of the IB program is due not only to the depth of the individual courses, but also to the comprehensive nature of the program overall. Unlike other honors programs, the IB requires each student to take courses in six academic areas.

To qualify for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, students must take examinations in six subject areas, participate in the Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) module, and write an extended essay.

The diploma candidate must also take a unique course known as Theory of Knowledge. In this course, students explore the connections and similarities between the various subjects, learn to think, and apply interrelated concepts.

Many students earning the IB Diploma are awarded advanced college credit at prestigious universities around the world. Many highly competitive colleges and universities recognize the IB Diploma for admissions and/or advanced standing.

The IB Curriculum at Island Academy:
Six subject groups comprise the core of the IB curriculum over the course of two years. The IB Diploma candidate is required to select one subject from each of the six areas.
Group 1: Language A — English (HL)
Group 2: Language B — Spanish (SL, including ab initio)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies — History (HL)
Group 4: Sciences — Biology (HL / SL)
Group 5: Mathematics — Mathematics (SL)
Group 6: The Arts & Electives — Visual Arts (HL and SL)
At least three and not more than four of the six subjects are taken at the Higher Level (HL-240 hours) and the others at a Standard Level (SL-150 hours). Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the Diploma requires a minimum total of 24 points.

Requirements for the Full IB Diploma:

To be eligible for the award of the IB Diploma at the conclusion of the two year program, all candidates must:
Successfully complete prescribed course work and an examination from each of the above groups;
Submit an extended essay of 4,000 words in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum;
Complete the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, and complete 150 Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) hours.

Island Academy Course Descriptions:

English HL: This course seeks to engage students in appreciating the art of literature and allow them to explore a variety of themes. Topics in world literature are covered as well as detailed study of individual works. Investigation is made into the art of the novel along with in-depth study of drama and poetry and a selection of non-fictional works. From the rite of passage in Classical readings to the ironic reversal in modern literature, a common concern emerges with structuring Truth out of a world of disorder.

Biology HL and SL: Biologists have accumulated huge amounts of information about living organisms and it would be easy to confuse students by teaching large numbers of seemingly unrelated facts. In IB Biology it is hoped that students will acquire a limited body of facts and at the same time develop a broad, general understanding of the principles of the subject. Although courses at the Standard Level and Higher Level have been written as a series of discrete statements for assessment purposes, four basic biological concepts run throughout: Structure and Function, Universality versus Diversity, Equilibrium within Systems, and Evolution.

Mathematics SL: The learner is allowed the opportunity to explore mathematics from a variety of aspects including algebraic, graphic and numerical. The course highlights cross-curricular connections to other sciences as well as the application of mathematical skills to real-world situations in areas such as business, economics, IT, psychology, and the arts. Mathematics SL aims to deliver a curriculum that covers a variety of math topics while maintaining a deep understanding of concepts. The focus on pure mathematics and proofs is intended to provide students with opportunities to develop logical, critical and thinking skills.

History HL: A two-year in-depth comparative study of the 20th century, with a particular focus on the Americas during the second year. The course is divided into 20th century World History in Year 1 (IB 1) and History of the Americas in Year 2 (IB 2). Overall this course is designed to develop writing speaking, reading, and organizational skills at a college level, and to provide a thorough and detailed understanding of information and topics related to 20th century history. Specific skills as targeted such as how properly to research and reference material, and how to write factually and analytically. The goal is to provide a shared academic experience that emphasizes internationalism, critical and historical thinking, and exposure to multiple perspectives.

Spanish SL (including ab initio): Nations are becoming more interdependent, and the need for learning a foreign language more important. Learning a foreign language is therefore the Island Academy international educational imperative in order to prepare our youth both culturally and linguistically for membership in the global community. Four basic language skills are developed – listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are also exposed to various cultural aspects of the Spanish speaking world. For those students who have no previous exposure to the Spanish language, a separate SL module is offered called ab initio, or “beginners.”

Visual Arts HL and SL: The learner is provided with an opportunity to further an appreciation and understanding of the creative process through the study of the role played by various forms of art, craft and design both historically, socially and environmentally. Through the acquisition and honing of skills in a wide variety of media, techniques and processes such as drawing, painting, design, collage and printmaking, students will develop a strong visual language which will then enable the communication of a personal imaginative creative aesthetic. A strong base for critical analysis will be formed through research and hands-on projects, on both an individual basis and in group work. Students keep a research journal, develop a portfolio of work, and compose two research projects per year on a particular artist or art movement, culminating in a class presentation with relevant information and visual aids.

Theory of Knowledge (ToK): Required of all students desiring the full IB diploma, this half-credit course is designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different areas of knowledge (the arts, ethics, history, mathematics, natural sciences, human sciences).

The Extended Essay (3,000-4,000 words) is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.

CAS (creativity, action, service) requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.