The following table outlines the requirements and key distinctions between the two pathways:

Individual courses will be recognized by the IB on an IB transcript as Diploma Programme courses (including TOK and Extended Essay). The Branksome IB Select Program does not earn a Diploma from the IB Diploma Programme; it’s not IB branded.

Students graduating successfully with the Full Diploma have a competitive edge in admission to more selective universities and programs around the world. As well, a study from 2022 showed that full DP students at both the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia earned higher university grades and were less likely to drop out of university and more likely to graduate in a timely manner compared to traditional high school students (Davies & Guppy, 2022). A study in the United Kingdom in 2021 compared the higher education outcomes of students who enrolled in UK universities with either an IB diploma or an A-level qualification. The study found that IB diploma students were three times more likely to enroll at a top 20 higher education institution (HEI), 40% more likely to achieve at least an upper second-class honours degree, and 7% more likely to earn a first-class honours degree compared to matched A-level students. Additionally, post-university, IB diploma holders were 38% more likely than their A-level peers to be engaged in further study (Duxbury et al. 2021).

The Full Diploma Programme would be understood by selective universities as the most rigorous program offered at Branksome Hall. 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.

Having made their course selection for the coming year, sometimes students may change their minds over the summer. Course changes can be made in a student’s timetable only until mid-September, provided the change is academically sound, there is space in the preferred course, the student has the prerequisite and there is approval from the parent, teacher, School Counsellor and administrator. It will not be possible to accommodate all desired course changes once the timetable has been constructed.

A student may start out in the Full Diploma Programme and later choose, based on clarified post-secondary goals, to join the IB Select pathway. A switch from HL to SL for a given course is possible in courses that are co-seated and require no timetable changes. Any proposed switch that involves a timetable change is subject to there being space in the desired course and the student’s demonstrated ability to meet the requirements and work completion plan in the desired course. A switch from SL into HL is less easy to accommodate and is best done early in Grade 11.

After Grade 11, a student may choose not to continue with the second year of a course, provided they will meet their OSSD and post-secondary requirements, and continue to be a full-time student. A student wishing to drop a course mid-year is reminded that, per Ontario Ministry of Education full disclosure policy, all 3U, 3M, 4U and 4M courses dropped after the report card in February will appear on the student’s transcript noting the withdrawal and the mark in the course at the time of the withdrawal. Higher Level and Standard Level course switches can be made up until November 13 in the Grade 12 year. After this date, the IB course change fee will be charged to the student’s account for any Diploma course changes made.

In all cases, if a student is interested in exploring any of these types of changes, they must work carefully with their School and/or University Counsellor.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is required as it is a valuable means of building skills of leadership that transcend classroom learning. 

• In keeping with the school’s values of sense of community and making a difference, involvement in the community is a key way to develop and express these values. 
• CAS involvement truly embodies the notion of “learners and leaders.” 
• The “service” element is tied to the OSSD requirement for community involvement. 
• Students earn the PLF4M “leadership” credit for their involvement in CAS.

All students take Theory of Knowledge (TOK) as it:

• Is the only shared course experience for the cohort.
• Uses an approach to learning and teaching that is modelled on university learning.
• Develops critical thinking and transfer skills beyond the scope of subject syllabi.
• Is an interdisciplinary course that offers students and their teachers the opportunity to reflect on important DEI-related concepts.

All students must complete an Extended Essay (EE) as it:

• Develops independent critical thinking, research skills, time and project management skills.
• Should be intentionally linked to the student’s post-secondary pursuit or an area of interest.
• Is the culmination of the Diploma experience.

As noted in the CRC’s The Road After research survey, Branksome alums have shared that the skills and knowledge they developed through the Theory of Knowledge course and the writing of the Extended Essay proved to be invaluable as they navigated through the first year of university. They felt they were better prepared for the rigours of university’s expectations.

Branksome Hall’s vision, mission and values are centred on developing learners who are internationally minded. A core component to international mindedness is the pursuit of multilingualism and engagement in varied cultures through language.

The opportunity for specialization in the Arts is one of the most exciting features of the IB Select pathway. Whereas in the Full Diploma Programme a student may not have space within their configuration to take an Arts course, an IB Select student has more freedom not only to take an Arts course, but also to create an Arts-specialized experience. Additionally, all students who take the Grades 11 and 12 Arts courses in any of visual art, film, dance, theatre or music earn two Grade 12 credits.

Yes, they can. These students will take Environmental Systems and Societies. This is an interdisciplinary course that fulfills the requirement for both Individual and Societies, and the Sciences. By taking this course, students are able to take two Art courses and achieve the Full Diploma.