The Curriculum in the IB Diploma Programme (Grade 11 - 12)

The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) to offer its two-year Diploma Programme (IB DP) in the 11th and 12th grades (16-18 years old). The IBDP is recognized in more than 80 countries around the world. In Italy, the IBDP offers the automatic recognition as an Italian High School Diploma gained in 4, instead of 5 school years of education. In Italy the IBDP offers the equivalency (equipollenza) with the Maturità Liceo Scientifico, Maturità Liceo Linguistico or the Maturità Scienze Umane, based on the particular combination of subjects a student follows.

How does the IBDP work?

The IB DP requires students to study six main academic subjects which include at least two languages, one social science, one experimental science, and a mathematics course. Exams are set and marked by external examiners. Each subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7. To earn the IB Diploma a student must gain a minimum of 24 points in six subjects, complete a programme of extra-curricular activities (CAS), participate in a course called the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and write an original 4,000-word thesis paper (Extended Essay).

IB courses for the 2022-2023 school year

Each student must choose a minimum of a subject per Group. Each subject is offered at standard level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). Language Acquisition courses are also offered at ab initio (beginner) level. The student must take at least three subjects HL. 

Our students’ success is due to a very close student-teacher-family relationship and high academic standards.  We guide the students in designing their IB Course selections: by the end of Grade 10 the student and family have had several meetings with our IB Coordinator/College Counselor in order to choose the mix of subjects that will:

• best suit the potential of the student, by selecting the subjects where the student is stronger
• Better prepare the student for his/her University applications 
• Take into consideration the student’s preference for universities in Italy, in Europe or outside Europe. 

IB RESULTS AT ISG

Since 2004, 169 ISG students (97.6 % of our candidates) have obtained the IB Diploma. We are really proud of our students and their achievements. The IB Diploma Programme gave them access to universities and colleges in three continents, in more than 10 different countries. Our students have followed degree courses in fields as varied as Medicine, Engineering, Economics, Law, International Relations / Politics, Hospitality Management, Business Studies, Psychology, Communications, Fashion, Mathematics, and Literature, just to mention a few.

The International School in Genoa congratulates all our students for their many excellent results!  We are particularly proud of how they have faced the challenges of the past years with great tenacity, flexibility, and positivity.