There are 2 ways a student can be involved in the IB programme at KES: through the Diploma and through the taking of individual certificates.

THE DIPLOMA

Leading to examinations, the IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of studies,  that meets the needs of highly-motivated secondary school students and fulfills the requirements of various national education systems.  The Diploma model is not based on the pattern of any single country, but incorporates the best elements of many.  The programme is available in English, French or Spanish.

The candidates for the Diploma are required to take 6 courses, one from each area or group.  The groups are listed below, and the subjects offered at KES in each group are indicated in italics.

• GROUP I -   Language A (first language)  English
• GROUP II  - Language B (second language)  French, German and Spanish (We have also offered Chinese and Korean)
• GROUP III  - Study of Man  History, Economics
• GROUP IV - Experimental Sciences  Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems
• GROUP V - Mathematics  Standard Level, Higher Level, and Mathematical Studies, Computer Studies
• GROUP VI - Electives  Music, Art or any selection from one of the other groups.

As well as the above, the diploma offers some special features: 

• THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE - This is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulatecritical reflection upon knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom.  TOK seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning, by encouraging students to question the bases of knowledge, be aware of subjective and ideological bases, and develop personal modes of thought.
• CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE - CAS is a fundamental part of the Diploma and encourages the students to take seriously the life outside of the world of scholarship, and to share their energy and talents while working cooperatively.
• EXTENDED ESSAY -  All Diploma candidates are required to undertake original research and write a maximum 4000 word extended essay in a subject of their choice, under the guidance of a teacher, and externally graded.

Diploma candidates are required to take 3 of their subjects at the Higher, or more advanced, Level, and 3 at the Standard Level. Exams are graded on a scale as follows: 

1. very poor
2. poor
3. mediocre  
4. satisfactory
5. good
6. very good
7. excellent

In addition, bonus points may be earned from the TOK or the essay.  A total of 24 points is necessary for awarding of the Diploma, along with satisfactory completion of TOK, CAS and the essay.

TYPICAL COURSE SELECTION

A typical diploma candidate might make the following course selections, in addition to TOK.

Standard Level	Higher Level
French	English
Mathematics	Biology
History	Chemistry

CERTIFICATE CANDIDATES

Many students at KES do not opt for the full Diploma, but choose instead to take only those IB courses which particularly interest them or which will be relevant to their choice of university and career path.  These students write examinations only in their chosen courses and receive certificates accordingly.

The honours level at KES is the IB.  In Grade 10, the students enter the pre-IB skills portion of the course before embarking on the IB course per se.  In Grades 11 and 12 the honours courses at KES are the IB syllabi, leading to the IB examinations at the end of either Grade 11 or 12, depending on the course.