The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) defines the curriculum in the 11th and 12th grades. The IB is a rigorous and comprehensive course of study designed to promote international understanding and give students a broad preparation for university studies. Students have a wide range of course options and activity opportunities to develop their own personal skills and academic knowledge. All students who finish our 12th grade also receive an American High School Diploma as they fulfill the basic required coursework.

International Baccalaureate Program

The IBDP is a two-year program and is offered to qualified students entering grade eleven. In order to obtain the IB Diploma, students must:

Take at least one course from each of the six groups below. If a student chooses not to study the arts (group 6) then s/he may choose a second course from groups 3 or 4. Three of the courses must be taken at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).
Meet personal learning objectives in the areas of Creativity, Action and Service.
Complete an Extended Essay.
Complete an additional course, Theory of Knowledge.

At ASB, we offer the following IB courses, all at both Standard and Higher Level (unless otherwise noted). See Subjects Offered below.

Subjects Offered

Group 1 - Language and Literature

Group 2 - Language Aquisition

Group 3 - Individuals and Societies

Group 4 - Experimental Sciences

Group 5 - Mathematics

Group 6 - The Arts

IB Additional Course Requirements

Extended Essay

The extended essay is a research paper of up to 4,000 words that allows students to investigate a topic of interest to them. They become familiar with the independent research and writing skills expected at the university level.

We introduce the Extended Essay (EE) in spring of the first year (grade 11) and it is to be completed in December of the second year. Students choose their own advisors and topics and follow a timeline of due dates. Four seminars are conducted to present information, provide assistance and work time in order to complete the EE.

Some examples of Extended Essays:

Economics: Market Structure of the Bread and Pastry Shops in Sitges
Question: What market structures best characterize the bread and pastry specialty shops in Sitges, Catalunya?

History: The Influence of Anti-Semitic Propaganda in Nazi Germany: A Case Study
Question: To what extent did the newspaper Der Sturmer contribute to the rise of anti-Semitism between 1935 and 1938 in Nazi Germany?

Politics: Fall From Grace
Question: What were the factors that led to the Egyptian revolution against Mohamed Morsi in 2013?

English: The Bell Jar
Question: In The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, how does the author reveal protagonist Esther Greenwood's depression through narrator's voice and to what extent does this mirror Plath's depressed state of mind in the last years of her life?

Biology: Factors affecting the reproduction of Angelfish

Question: What are the effects of community fish and environment on the reproductive behaviour of Pterophyllum scalare?

Visual Arts: Architecture
Question: With the upcoming problem of global warming, how does Green Architecture fit in Barcelona?

Creativity, Actions, Service (CAS)

Students are expected to be involved in a variety of activities related to Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) in order to meet the learning outcomes established by the IB CAS program. Students keep track of their progress through the online software program. Some of their activities have included:

Local collaboration with hospitals, schools, elder homes and businesses
Global collaboration with medical missions (Peru), Habitat for Humanity (El Salvador, India, Nepal, Portugal), Economic Sustainability (Botswana)
Sports tournaments (volleyball, basketball, soccer cross country), both local and international
Talent shows, Yearbook, Event organization and many more.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Why the IB Program (IBDP)

Course content in the IBDP emphasizes both breadth and depth of knowledge; teaching and assessments encourage students to think critically and problem-solve, leading towards individual responsibility in learning.
The IBDP is especially suited for international schools, yet it has grown in popularity in public and private schools around the world (including the USA, where the program shows the fastest growth).
IBDP students graduate with knowledge in at least two languages and are often bi- or multi-lingual. They also have an awareness of a global society necessary for success in the 21st century.
The IBDP is excellent preparation for entrance (and success at) the best universities in Spain, North America and Europe.

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The International Baccalaureate