DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (DP)

What is DP?

The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, ages 16 to 18, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is taught over two years (11th and 12th grade) and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities (ibo.org).

IS THE CURRICULUM DIFFERENT FROM WHAT UTAH STATE EXPECTS?

An IB education looks at the State Core as a minimum requirement. Students will receive the educational requirements expected by the state of Utah in addition to a few more expectations. Students are required to take a minimum of three Higher Level (2-year courses) and three standard level (1 or 2-year courses) in 6 subject groups. The six required subject groups are English, Foreign Language, History, Science, Math, and one elective (Psychology, Art, Dance, Theater, Music, or Chemistry). Diploma students are also required to write a 4,000-word Extended Essay on a research question of their choice and complete several Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirements. Every student will test in each subject by the end of their senior year.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF AN IB DIPLOMA?

There are many sources that demonstrate that an IB student is more likely to gain entry into, and graduate from, top universities in the US and around the world than their peers. Most top Universities recruit IB students by offering them college credit for the work they do as part of a DP High School program. In Utah, schools including the University of Utah, Southern Utah University, Weber State, Salt Lake Community College, Dixie University, and Snow College provide 30 credit hours and a waiver of general education requirements for students who graduate with the IB Diploma. All other universities provide individual credits for specific IB courses taken.

The National Student Clearinghouse tracks enrollment and graduation data for over 90% of students attending colleges, universities, and other post-secondary schools in the United States and collected the following data:

• IB students are more likely to get a bachelor’s degree. An IB student is more likely to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Over 69% of IB students receive their bachelor’s degree, compared to 58% of all US students.
• The better a child’s IB program performance, the higher his or her college success rate. Students who earn an IB diploma have the highest success rates, with 80% going on to attain a bachelor’s degree.
• The IB approach succeeds in schools of all economic sectors, 76% of all diploma candidates from low-income schools earned a bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college or university.
• IB students in public schools get the same great college results as students from private schools: 69% of IB students from public schools earned a bachelor’s degree, compared to 70% for IB students from private schools.
• Students who receive the IB diploma are 38% more likely to graduate from a university with a degree than other students in higher-education institutions.
• 86% of US IB diploma students received a bachelor’s degree within six years or less, compared to a rate of 58% for all students.