The programme has grown from strength to strength each year, producing confident and international-minded young adults who are ready to face the challenges of this ever-changing world.
At XLIS, admission in the DP is inclusive- we allow all our students to experience the programme. XLIS is a continuum school, and our students develop all the attributes of the learner profile and the approaches to learning skills that benefit them in the Diploma programme. The high school classes are aligned with the Diploma programme’s needs. Students complete the Personal Project, and this independent project work enables them to build the skills necessary to address the core of the Diploma Programme.
DP Subject Choice
At XLIS, we follow the IB requirements for subject choices. Our list of subjects can be found on our website. Each year the MYP 5 students choose their subjects from a prescribed list, but they are also allowed to suggest which subject they would like to see us introduce. We strive to honor students’ voices and strive to give them the options they need.This year, after several conversations with students, we have introduced Economics for 2022-2024.
The students have to choose 3 Higher Level and three standard level subjects. Every subject is offered at the Standard level and Higher level. More details information about the DP subjects can be found following this link: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/
Advantages about IBDP at XLIS
The Diploma Programme programme at XLIS enables our students to develop qualities that make them stand out from other schools:
DP students develop research skills vital for their success at the university. The Extended essay enables them to complete research and write an academic paper on a topic of their choice. The extended essay is like a mini-thesis, and the universities highly value this part of the Diploma Programme.
DP students learn how to manage their time to meet all the deadlines for their courses. Juggling all their deadlines and social life is a valuable skill, and this will help them manage the challenges of tertiary education.
DP students care about their community and undertake activities to serve their communities. They also develop their creativity and their fitness through the CAS programme. Community service is at the heart of our school’s mission statement and is part of the IB philosophy.
DP Evaluation Visit 2022 at XLIS
This year 2022 marks review known as the Evaluation. Assessing the implementation of the IB programmes is an integral part of the IB, and this process enables schools to reflect on their progress and set goals for future development. The work and preparation for the Evaluation start a year before the actual visit. Documents have to be submitted to IB, and after review and approval, the visit takes place over three days. Due to the pandemic, the visit this year is virtual.
University Acceptance for Our Diploma Students
The Diploma Programme is a pre-university course that prepares students for the rigour of tertiary education. Research shows that universities worldwide value IB students as all-rounders who can think critically and creatively. They can show appreciation of arts and sciences and social studies and make meaningful connections among their subjects and the real world.
At XLIS, the University Guidance Counselor, Ms. Kate Yu, the winner of Student Advocacy Award, guides the students in their applications. The school has invested in many resources to enable the counsellor to advise the students. Our students have been successful in their application to universities around the world. The list below shows all the universities that our students have attended. The list is just a short list the full list can be viewed on our website under the career guidance tab.
Please click the link for further information about University Acceptance for our Diploma students.
Class of 2019 Graduates in Our Eyes
2020 University Acceptances for XLIS DP Graduates
Our students are very thankful to the school for the Diploma programme. Here are some of their testimonies:
My DP experience at XLIS has laid an academic foundation for university education. At XLIS, the comprehensive and balanced but challenging DP curriculum is taught in small classes, it ensured I received the support I needed throughout the two years. This was vital in succeeding in the difficult DP curriculum and all-around development, including the skills needed to work in teams, build lasting relationships with peers, and understand while challenging pre-existing views. I am in a Liberal Arts program, currently studying various subjects. The material I have learned and the skills I have developed through DP have been tremendously helpful, such as time-and self-management, developing study strategies, and academic honesty. More specifically, XLIS emphasizes education on academic honesty starting from MYP, which played a major role in transitioning smoothly into university, as I am already familiar with various types and rules of citations.
Furthermore, the academic foundation from my DP experience at XLIS enables me to enjoy my further education at university. For instance, I enjoyed the Urban Planning course I took in my fall semester so much more due to my familiarity with relevant concepts I was exposed to in the DP Geography class. On top of all these benefits, the most significant for me is knowing the importance of accepting different points of view and being able to (somewhat) remain objective and critical about and be aware of my biases. When opposing arguments arise, before favoring one side over the other, I constantly remind myself to keep an open mind and contemplate more deeply on the topic, which has helped me arrive at deeper conclusions. While it is a never-ending journey to improve in thinking critically while maintaining an open mind, I am very happy that I was able to start this journey at XLIS.
——Natsumi Ishikawa, Graduate 2021- one of our highest achievers currently studying Liberal Arts at Waseda university, Japan
I appreciate that I had the opportunity to learn International Baccalaureate since elementary school. The apparent benefit of the program is that it well prepared me with a well-rounded foundation to explore the fields of my passion further. It seemed very unconventional and unique to me for any curriculum to give students the autonomy to choose subject courses independently. Nonetheless, more importantly, it has developed my open-minded perspectives: I learned a habit of approaching a subject from different angles. Having to think about familiar subjects concerning new ideas and concepts, I realized the significance of staying alert to different perspectives. I was hence able to help and support people in need or those who want a healthier lifestyle during CAS. During the pandemic in particular, instead of raising awareness of the pandemic or participating in volunteer works at local hospitals, my friends and I could devise a business plan to help out the local situation indirectly through donations of medical equipment. Although we accomplished more than we expected initially, we understand the whole plan was only possible due to the endless support and motivation to put students’ plans in action from XLIS. Now I am acutely aware of how valuable, such experiences are during years of high school. These experiences are not merely pieces of good memories for us to feel nostalgic about. These experiences are arguably the most valuable assets that we can utilize in the rest of our lives.
——Jeonghyeon Park, one of our highest achievers, HKUST
In the past two years of IB life, I paid time and sweaty to achieve my dream school. So what did I get in the past two years except for knowledge? Or how does IB helps me build my personality?
Firstly is the confidence to speak in public. I still remember the MUN conference experiences. That is the first time I have spoken in public. This helps me not be afraid to speak in public anymore. In addition, the ability to be a caring person, the most profound memory in XLIS is CAS, whether in Cambodia or children’s centre, they helped me gain feelings and feelings other than academic scores. Those are just a few small things in the 3 years of IB life, as Ms Quinlan said: Successful, open-minded, determined, resilient, hard-working, kind, and generous. These are all things given to me by IB and XLIS. Last but not least, the IB and XLIS helped me find my specialities and helped me become a responsible international adult.
——Danyu Wang ( Edward), Cohort 2021.EHL ( Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne).
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Author:
Jaimala Quinlan (DP Coordinator, DP Geography, TOK and MYP Individual & Society Teacher and Subject Leader)
