IB Diploma Programme at ISK

Like many academic programs, the IB Diploma Programme uses terminology to define key aspects of the curriculum. Some terms can be confusing to people unfamiliar with the curriculum. Please consult the following glossary of terms as needed:

Glossary of International Baccalaureate (IB) Terminology

Almost all students at ISK choose to enroll in at least one IB course. All IB courses are two-year courses. ISK has an inclusive IB admissions policy and IB courses are open to all students on the same basis as other ISK courses, meaning that enrollment will be based on the student having adequately passed the prerequisite courses. In some cases, teachers may counsel a student to take a course at either the standard or higher level, depending on perceptions of the student's aptitude and work ethic.

The IB diploma is open to all grade 11 and 12 students who have satisfactorily completed prerequisite courses. On average, about 70% of the graduating class choose to pursue an IB diploma, in addition to an ISK high school diploma. Students who elect to sit for the IB diploma must complete six examination courses in at least five subject areas: three or four at the higher level (HL) and the remaining at the standard level (SL). IB diploma students must also take the Theory of Knowledge course (a philosophy course integrating the primary fields of knowledge) and complete a substantial (4,000 words) piece of independent scholarly research resulting in an Extended Essay. Examinations take place each May, with no more than two of the standard level exams examined in Grade 11 and all the rest examined in Grade 12. Click here for the General Regulations on the Diploma Program.

Since the IB stresses educating the whole child, all students must complete experiential learning requirements involving Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).

All 9th and 10th grade ISK students and families who are interested in the IBDP, attend a general IB presentation evening in February to gather information, begin the academic planning and course selection process for IB, and indicate their desire to enrol for the IB diploma or IB courses. Grade 10 students are required to get their teachers to sign a course selection form and comment on their suitability for the chosen IB courses. The school provides follow-up planning meetings with individual families for all grade 10 students interested in becoming IBDP candidates. The IB Coordinator, together with a high school counselor (and if required, a learning support teacher), meets with every student who is interested in enrolling in the full IB program (i.e the IB diploma) and constructs an individual course of studies at this meeting. IB course candidates are guided in their choices by the high school counselors, who ensure that their choices support the attainment of the school’s own diploma. Students bring a teacher-verified course selection form to these meetings to help ensure that student choices are aligned with teacher recommendations. 

The general medium of instruction and working language in the IB Diploma Programme (DP) is English. Candidates for admission to the IBDP must demonstrate that they have inquiring and open minds and a positive attitude and work ethic. Good time-management and organizational skills are also indispensable qualities for students to be successful in the IBDP.

 All 9th and 10th grade ISK students and families who are interested in the IBDP, attend a general IB presentation evening in February to gather information, begin the academic planning and course selection process for IB, and indicate their desire to enrol for the IB diploma or IB courses. Grade 10 students are required to get their teachers to sign a course selection form and comment on their suitability for the chosen IB courses. The school provides follow-up planning meetings with individual families for all grade 10 students interested in becoming IBDP candidates. The IB Coordinator, together with a high school counselor (and if required, a learning support teacher), meets with every student who is interested in enrolling in the full IB program (i.e the IB diploma) and constructs an individual course of studies at this meeting. IB course candidates are guided in their choices by the high school counselors, who ensure that their choices support the attainment of the school’s own diploma. Students bring a teacher-verified course selection form to these meetings to help ensure that student choices are aligned with teacher recommendations. 

If a student enters ISK at the start of Grade 11, they are required to write three placement tests: Math, English and a foreign language (if applicable). The results of these placement tests guide the IB Coordinator and high school counselors in helping the student with their IB course selections.

The school offers an orientation session for all IB families at the beginning of the two-year program with the IB Coordinator and the CAS Coordinator.  The school has also defined clear guidelines for continuing enrollment and withdrawal from the program so that students, and their families, can be more proactive about planning and problem solving when hurdles arise during the two-year program. We also monitor and support students in the Diploma Programme through our advisory program, heads of departments, teachers, grade level meetings, learning support services, counselors and the IB and CAS Coordinators. Students with accommodations are further supported by the learning support department.

The CAS program is an essential part of the IB program. It goes beyond education by giving students the opportunity to learn and develop by taking part in new, challenging and enjoyable experiences.

The belief at the heart of the CAS program is that education does not begin or end in the classroom or exam hall, and the most essential elements of education may exist outside of both. ISK provides many opportunities for CAS. Students will be fully supported by our advisors and the CAS Coordinator. Students are also encouraged to take part in activities outside of school and activities they initiate themselves, in order to help them to create a challenging and relevant program for themselves.

To successfully complete CAS, students need to maintain a balance of Creativity, Activity and Service activities over the 18 months. Students should be involved in at least one project involving teamwork that takes place for a minimum of one month. These three aspects of CAS may be completed as several separate activities, as larger projects that combine all of the components, or a mixture of the two.

IB Enrollment Timeline

• Students in 10th grade attend a workshop in February to indicate a desire to enrol in the program
• An individual meeting involving parent, student, counselor, and IB Coordinator occurs in March to select optimal courses
• By May the school develops a two-year schedule for IB diploma students
• Courses without sufficient student numbers may not be offered
• In the rare case of a scheduling conflict the student will be asked to make compromise course selections in May
• Once a student's program has been scheduled, changes are sometimes possible
• Changes should be made before courses commence in August
• Changes must be discussed with the IB Coordinator and approved by parent, teacher, counselor, and principal

• Students who do not want to pursue the full IB diploma should register for individual IB courses with their counselor.

IB Program Calendar

ISK's academic calendar begins in early August. The first official IB registration deadline is late September so some students who have enrolled in IB classes may have nearly a full quarter of the school year in which to judge their progress and thus their suitability to continue in that class and sit examinations. On occasion, the school may enrol a student in an IB course on a probationary status.

IB examinations are generally held in the first, second and third week of May. Examination results are issued via the IBO website at www.ibo.org in early July. PIN-access numbers are issued to individual students so that they can access their results. A free service is provided whereby results can also be sent directly to selected universities if the student completes the appropriate form prior to a deadline in May. The IB sends the final official diploma and printed course results to the school for forwarding to students in August.

At the IB workshop held for year one IB students and parents, the IB Coordinator gives students a calendar of key due dates for the year. This calendar includes all work required by the IB for assessment, as well as due dates for CAS and the extended essay. Some due dates are fixed by the IB while some are determined by the teachers to try to balance the annual workload for students. Please see the calendar below to track some key IB dates or use the following link to download a detailed and comprehensive list of this year's IB due dates.

IB Diploma Conduct of the Examinations [PDF]

Major IB Due Dates 2026_27: Grade 11 [PDF]

Major IB Due Dates 2026_27: Grade 12 [PDF]

Since 1982, ISK has supported students to successfully complete the IB Diploma Programme. In 2026, there were a total of 94 IB candidates, of which 80 took the full IB Diploma. Our IB Diploma students scored an average of 33 points. A full breakdown can be seen below:

Students at ISK consistently perform well above worldwide averages. Please download the following documents for further information about the school's IB examination results:

IB statistics for the last 5 years

May 2026 International School of Kenya's International Baccalaureate Examination Results [PDF]

15-Year Summary of the International School of Kenya's International Baccalaureate Examination Results [PDF]

Since the IB diploma includes a heavy examination schedule and several extra requirements, the qualification is highly regarded by colleges and universities in North America for its rigor and breadth. Some U.S. or Canadian colleges and universities do not require applicants to have achieved the IB diploma in order to gain acceptance into their institutions. For these students it may make most sense to pursue a selection of IB courses that do not constitute an IB diploma but that complement the student's talents, provide an academic challenge, and lead to an enhanced transcript which can boost chances for admission to a selective college. IB results, especially those obtained through higher level courses, can be submitted to colleges and universities for possible advanced standing or first-year course credit.

The IB publishes information about university requirements for IB students at www.ibo.org

Because the American high school diploma offered by ISK is not necessarily accepted for university admission outside North America, the school recommends that students applying to these university systems should take the IB diploma. Most universities in the UK, Europe and elsewhere will consider, and may even prefer, applicants who have achieved the IB diploma. Worldwide acceptability is a key benefit to the IB diploma. However, each country's ministry of education has negotiated with the IB administration on their specifics of acceptability for this international diploma. Since no two countries are alike in this regard, the school's high school counselors should be consulted.

The IB publishes information about university requirements for IB students at www.ibo.org

General Regulations

• The IB Diploma Programme
• What is an IB education
• General Regulations- diploma Programme (first examinations May 2015)
• A guide to assessment in the IBDP
• Simplifying the diploma requirements and failing conditions
• TOK EE Matrix

Academic Honesty

• Diploma Programme Academic Honesty
• Academic honesty flyer
• Academic Honesty in Diploma Programme Arts
• Academic Honesty in the IB educational context
• Academic Honesty pamphlet
• Effective citing and referencing
• ISK Academic Honesty Policy

Additional Info About the IB Diploma

• Frequently asked questions about the Diploma Programme
• Guide for IB students applying to US institutions
• Academic Honesty IB Candidate Consent Form
• IB Probation at ISK
• Major Assessment Deadline Procedure
• Seven tips to improve your homework and study habits
• The IB Climb

DP Mathematics Courses

• Tips from college and university admissions officers for DP mathematics choices
• IB Math is changing!
• Finding the best fit: New DP mathematics courses
• DP Mathematics curriculum review – Frequently Asked Questions
• faq german recognition eng

Value of the IB Diploma

• 3 ways the IB Diploma impresses top colleges
• 10 reasons why the IB Diploma Program is an ideal preparation for university
• A review of research relating to the IBDP
• Key findings from research on impact of diploma programme
• The IB Diploma Programme Statistical Bulletin - May 2018
• UK-university-admissions-officers-report-en
• The value of an IB education with Stanford University’s Debra Von Bargen
• How the IB prepares students for success
• Skills to take from the IB diploma
• IB Diploma Programme: A strong predictor of success in university
• University admissions officers favour DP over A Levels
• IB Diploma Prepares Students for Global Universities
• The world needs the International Baccalaureate
• Newsweek: A world-class IB Education 2019

Extended Essay

• Guide Extended Essay
• Creating Authentic Work
• Formal Presentation of the EE
• Writing the EE for students