May 10, 2022
Participating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is one of the best ways for students to become equipped with the mindset, knowledge and confidence to succeed in university and beyond. The IB programme focuses on helping students develop creative solutions to challenges in the modern world. IB students have been shown to experience an easier adjustment to university-level curriculum and workloads, and their intercultural perspective enhances their ability to excel in a number of different environments.
As one of the first schools in the world to offer the IB programme, École Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande (ENSR) has over 50 years of experience developing lifelong learners through our stimulating IBDP programme. If you’re searching for the right boarding school offering IB in Switzerland, read on to discover more about the programme, its Swiss roots and its benefits.
The IB’s History Within Switzerland
If you’re looking for a private school in Switzerland, you’ll want to consider choosing an institution that offers an IB programme. The International Baccalaureate programme is long established within Switzerland. In 1963, members of the International Schools Association came together in Geneva, Switzerland, to create the International Baccalaureate Organization. After a series of negotiations with universities and governmental organizations, earning the IB Diploma became recognised as synonymous with completing national exams and acceptable for university entrance.
Today, the IB Diploma is recognised by renowned universities around the world. Universities in Switzerland and beyond are familiar with the strong credentials of students who complete the IB programme, making it a great avenue for admission into top universities. For international school students, the IB Diploma is also a great way to enter university in other countries, given its international recognition.
The International Baccalaureate programme was founded in Switzerland
What the IB Programme Looks Like at Our Swiss Private Boarding School
At our private boarding school, our IB programme is structured around a two-year academic cycle, preparing students to succeed in a number of different fields. ENSR offers Languages A and Languages B (native and foreign languages, respectively), Individuals and societies, Mathematics, Experimental Sciences, Visual Arts, and additional subjects available according to student interests. Upon course completion, students partake in an exam that can be taken in English, French or bilingual English-French . Within each field, students choose a discipline to focus on, allowing them to customize their courses to their interests. Not only does this allow students to pursue their passions, but it fosters a love of learning which will continue throughout the rest of their lives.
At our private boarding school, IB programme students study a number of different subjects
Skills Developed by IB Students
ENSR’s IB programme focuses on key principles, inspired by the IB Learner profile and including values such as open-mindedness, efficient communication and altruism among a few others. To help achieve this goal, the IB programme incorporates the following Core subjects: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay. TOK is designed to promote critical thinking skills, creating intercultural awareness through studies of Epistemology and Philosophy. CAS focuses on activities outside of courses, in which students build the skills to become compassionate and knowledgeable citizens of the globe. With the Extended Essay, students have the opportunity to explore a research topic of their choice, enabling them to pursue their interests, practice inquiry and develop their research skills. With such a variety of teaching methods and an emphasis on self-directed learning, IB students build key academic skills while also working on their social and emotional development.
If you’re looking for an education that fosters a global perspective and a passion for learning, consider an International Baccalaureate private boarding school like ENSR.
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