International Baccalaureate Programme (IB)

The IB programme is an internationally recognized enrichment option for high school students. The program develops "internationally minded people, who recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world" (IB mission).

The programme encourages participation in creative and service-oriented actions, as well as personal and academic reflection, addresses intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being and covers the curriculum required by Alberta Education and the IB programme.

Visit the IBO website to learn more about the IB programme.

Registration & Transfers

The regular transfer process occurs from February 1 to March 15 for the next school year.

To become a part of the IB Programme, select an option below:

Current CBE Students

If you are a current CBE student, and you want to attend the IB Program, you must follow the International Baccalaureate Program transfer process.

Go To Transfers

New To CBE

Register with the CBE in to the Regular Program
Once you receive your CBE ID*, visit the International Baccalaureate Program transfers page and follow the steps to complete the transfer process.

Start Registration

* Your CBE ID is issued after registration in SchoolEngage is processed. Once this is complete, you can find your CBE ID in your SchoolEngage account.

To view the IB locations go to our Transfers page.

Why Take IB?

prepare for success at university and life by developing intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being
desire a demanding curriculum, like the Diploma Programme, which leads to final IB examinations and a qualification that is welcomed by leading universities around the world
receive recognition from institutions of higher education, such as scholarships

Check university websites and the IBO website for details and recognition of IB credentials.

Is IB Right for My Child?

Students and families interested in the IB programme should review the IBO website, attend IB open houses and regular high school open houses and consult with their Grade 9 teachers who know the students best as learners.

The IBO suggests IB learners strive to be:

“inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk takers, balanced, and reflective”
“internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world” (From: http://www.ibo.org/myib/digitaltoolkit/files/pdfs/learner-profile-en.pdf

What are My Choices as a Candidate for IB?

As an IB student, you can choose between the International Baccelaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the IB Career Programme, or the Partial International Baccalaureate (Partial IB). All three of these choices make you eligible to request a high school transfer for the purposes of taking IB.

View additional course details in the High School Course Guide

Options* 1 | IB Diploma Programme

Students carry a full program of IB courses. They complete an Extended Essay, a Theory of Knowledge course, a CAS (creativity, action, service) component, and the regular Alberta Education program.

Students may choose IB courses from the following Groups:

Group 1 English A
Group 2 Language B
Group 3 Individuals and Societies
Group 4 Sciences
Group 5 Mathematics
Group 6 Fine & Performing Arts

2 | IB Career Programme

Students take two or more IB courses; they complete their chosen Career-related courses, a Language Development Portfolio, a Service Learning Portfolio, a Reflective Project and Professional and Personal Skills (PPS).

Students may choose IB courses from the following Groups:

Group 1 English A
Group 2 Language B
Group 3 Individuals and Societies
Group 4 Sciences
Group 5 Mathematics
Group 6 Fine & Performing Arts

3 | Partial IB

Students take two or more IB courses; they complete a Theory of Knowledge course, a CAS component, and the regular Alberta Education program.

A student receives a statement of results for each IB course successfully completed.

Students may choose IB courses from the following Groups:

Group 1 English A
Group 2 Language B
Group 3 Individuals and Societies
Group 4 Sciences
Group 5 Mathematics
Group 6 Fine & Performing Arts

4 | IB Programme in French

Students can opt for a full Diploma, or a partial IB Programme delivered partly in French. The Extended Essay is written in either English or French. Students who complete the Diploma Programme stream will earn a Bilingual Diploma from the IBO. Partial IB students may also be welcomed so long as they maintain registration in at least two IB courses, one of which is French IB. Students complete the regular Alberta Education program and typically complete the CBE French Immersion Certificate of Achievement requirements.

Students may choose IB courses in the following groups:

Group 1 English A (in English)
Group 2 French B, Higher Level (in French)
Group 3 History, Standard Level (in French)
Group 4 Sciences (in English)
Group 5 Mathematics (name HL or SL) (in French)
Group 6 One additional IB course, per the school catalogue

*If an IB high school has limited space, students registering for the full IB Diploma Programme are given priority over students requesting individual IB courses.

Can I take a single IB course?

No, it is not possible to take a single IB course. If you are interested in taking IB, you need to select one of the three choices in the chart above.

What happens if a student doesn’t complete the IB programme after they transfer high schools?

The high school transfer process was reviewed to ensure both transparency and consistency for principals and families. Students would be re-directed to their designated school should they not continue with the specific education program (such as IB) or sequence of courses which determined the reason for transfer.

Moving schools after either Grade 10 or 11 is a difficult transition for any student. For this reason, it is emphasized that students be very intentional when choosing the sequence of courses or program that require a transfer to another high school.

Almost all of our high schools offer internationally recognized enrichment options, including Advanced Placement or the IB Programme.

What is the difference between Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) IB courses?

SL and HL courses have a common core area of study and examination. There is greater breadth and depth of study in the HL course.
HL courses are more likely be recognized for post-secondary credit.
See the curriculum at www.ibo.org for further details about the differences

Do I still have to write Diploma exams and how are IB courses recognized?

IB exams do NOT replace diploma exams. If an IB course is attached to a diploma course, then writing the diploma exam is required.
Alberta Education uses official Alberta course names on official student transcripts

For example, Biology 30 is the official course name that will appear on your Alberta Education transcript even if your Biology 30 class is offered to a group of students in the IB programme

Some IB curriculum may be taught in locally developed courses, which will appear on your Alberta transcript at the 25 or 35 level
To avoid being overloaded with Diploma and IB exams in your Grade 12 year, you take some Diploma courses in both Grades 11 and 12
IB Exams are administered by the IBO in May, and the IBO will provide you with official documentation to use with post-secondary institutions

What fees are involved for IB?

Students and/or parents/guardians are responsible for fees set by the IBO (subject exam fees) and courier costs, including: