Branksome Hall
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IB Pathways in Grades 11 & 12
An emphasis on international mindedness and intercultural understanding, providing context for young women to lead in a complex, interdisciplinary, globally connected adult world.
How to ApplyGrades 11–12
In Grades 11 and 12, independence and critical thinking skills gain even more focus. Students plan their own pathways, choosing from a range of courses in English, additional languages, humanities, mathematics and sciences, plus arts and elective options.
School and University Counsellors and Learning Strategies teachers provide support every step of the way.
IB Diploma Core Components
All students in Grades 11 and 12 complete the IB Diploma core components.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) encourages students to involve themselves beyond the curriculum through participation in the arts, athletics and community engagement. Students participate in the three CAS areas, developing and sharing their energies and talents, and completing a CAS project, while learning to work co-operatively.
Extended Essay
The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word essay that students write on a topic of special interest drawn from their studies. With the guidance of a Teacher Advisor, each student conducts independent research, prepares her ideas and organizes material for her essay. The skills and techniques honed in creating the Extended Essay provide valuable practice for university work.
Theory of Knowledge
Theory of Knowledge is an interdisciplinary course designed to stimulate critical thinking and reflection. It challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, be aware of bias and learn to analyze the evidence used in presenting an argument. Students come to understand different points of view and how one's background can affect one’s perception of truth.
Pathway Options
Based on their post-secondary goals, students will choose to enter one of two Diploma program options. We believe choice offers agency and control, and a personalized course selection plays to each student’s unique strengths and assets.
Full Diploma
At Branksome, we believe in the value of a liberal arts education, as represented by the Full Diploma Programme, to expose students to varied ways of knowing and thinking across the disciplines.
Branksome Hall IB Select
Students who decide to take the IB Select Program pathway will be exposed to varied ways of knowing and thinking, while experiencing a more personalized or a more discipline-focused pathway.
Assessment Approach
Students in Grades 11 and 12 will complete IB assessments that are marked or moderated externally against established, standardized criteria. It’s one reason Branksome Hall graduates are so highly sought-after by the world’s leading universities. And it’s why they often receive university credit for their IB Higher Level courses.
Criterion-Related Assessment
The IB Organization’s assessment strategy emphasizes validity, reliability and fairness.
A key feature of the International Baccalaureate is its emphasis on criterion-related assessment of performance. This means that students are not graded “on a curve,” based on other students’ performance; their learning is measured in relation to established, published standards that apply equally to each student at every IB World School.
How Students Are Assessed
Students have various opportunities to demonstrate what they have learned.
A student’s progress is assessed by her teachers through classroom and group work, assignments, labs or artistic performances. Specified IB tasks are moderated or marked by highly qualified IB examiners. All Grade 12 Diploma course examinations are graded externally by IB examiners. Grades are awarded on a scale of one to seven, with seven being the highest.
Diploma Programme Points System
Students in the Full Diploma programme, in addition to their exam grades, may receive up to three additional points for combined performance in the Theory of Knowledge course and the Extended Essay. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is awarded to students who graduate with at least 24 points, up to a maximum of 45 points.
Grades 11 & 12 Curriculum
GRade 11
The IB Diploma Programme begins in Grade 11 and you are now a Diploma 1 student. At this point in your high school career, you make more choices in what you wish to pursue in your studies over the next two years.
Central to the Diploma Programme is furthering student agency as you hone your approaches to learning skills and engage in the Core of the program. The Core includes taking a course called Theory of Knowledge, participating in CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) and undertaking research and learning to complete an extended essay in a topic that extends your learning from coursework.
You also will have time dedicated in your schedule to hone leadership skills and explore post-secondary planning. The Diploma Programme is a mix of your academic courses and your engagement in co-curriculars through the CAS program. CAS opportunities all play a central role in the completion of your IB Diploma. For more information on the IB Diploma Programme, see ibo.org.
Based on your post-secondary goals, you will choose to enter either the Full Diploma Programme or Branksome Hall's IB Select pathway.
Full IB Diploma Programme
You will choose a course from each of the six groups: English, an additional Language, Individuals & Societies, Experimental Sciences and Mathematics. For the sixth group, students can choose from the Arts or choose a second course from additional Languages, Individuals & Societies or Experimental Sciences. Three courses must be at the Higher Level, and three at the Standard Level.
Branksome Hall IB Select
You will choose one English course and one additional Language course. From there, you will personalize your timetable, drawing from IB Diploma courses in any combination to meet your post-secondary needs and interests.
Please take the time to review all course descriptions for each of the six groups and consider those which excite you or pique your curiosity. Our School and University Counsellors are eager to work with you, and will support you through this process.
Grade 12
Welcome to DP2, your final year of either the Full Diploma programme or the Branksome Hall IB Select Pathway. Coursework focuses on readiness for post-secondary education and you will complete the CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) program as everyday leaders or through a variety of formal leadership positions.
As a DP2 student, you will continue in the courses you began in Grade 11 and will work to complete the formal IB internal and external assessments in each course.
Also scheduled into your timetable is time to engage in final post-secondary planning with our University Counsellors and get involved with the many community engagements to round out your experiences at Branksome Hall.
SHAPE YOUR FUTURE
We are Toronto’s top independent IB World School for girls, offering a globally focused curriculum, international faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. We foster intellectual curiosity and problem-solving for success in a dynamic world.
How to Apply
