Diploma Programme (DP)
The IB Diploma is widely viewed as one of the most challenging and intensive high school graduation courses in the world. Due to its recognition in over 150 countries across the world, the IBDP offers its graduates a gateway towards unlimited opportunities for future study, and is very well respected by universities and employers. Through completion of the IBDP, our young graduates demonstrate their ability to work to a very high academic level across a broad range of subject areas, showcasing a strong work ethic and a tremendous diversity of life skills. The IBDP is the culmination of the IB Continuum, and the third and final IB course at IS Milan.
The IBDP Curriculum
For IBDP, students select three or four subjects at Higher Level (HL) and two or three subjects at Standard Level (SL), meaning they study six subjects in total for their HL and SL courses. These subjects are selected as follows:
• At least two modern languages, including English
• A humanities or social science subject
• An experimental science
• Mathematics
• A creative arts subject or an additional subject from one of the other groups
Additionally, students complete the IBDP Core, comprising Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and a 4,000 word Extended Essay (EE).
Our IBDP curriculum is wide-ranging and covers a diversity of disciplines to prepare young adults for university study in their chosen pathways.
IBDP Entry Requirements
Prospective students wishing to study for the IBDP at IS Milan will be assessed prior to their arrival to ensure that the IBDP is suitable for their needs. This process will include requesting reports from the applicant’s current school, an online CAT4 baseline assessment, supplemented with other learning assessments if necessary, as well as a meeting to discuss possible IBDP subject choices. Depending on the applicant’s profile, they may be advised to enrol for Individual IB Courses rather than the full IBDP, though students may sometimes be permitted to enrol in the IBDP on a trial basis.
This process for external students mirrors the IBDP Entry Requirements for existing IS Milan students. For existing IS Milan students, a final MYP average grade of 5.0 is required for automatic progression to the IB Diploma (IBDP) at the end of the course. Students with averages between 4.5 and 5.0 are usually advised to enrol instead for individual IB Certificates (IB Courses), although students may sometimes be permitted to progress to the Diploma on a trial basis if their approach to learning is sufficiently positive.
The Value of the IBDP
Once students have successfully completed the IBDP, they will be issued with certificates for their coveted IB Diploma, or for their individual IB Courses if that is their chosen pathway. IB qualifications are among the most widely-recognised in the world, demonstrating to prospective colleges and universities that students have gained the competencies and skills necessary to successfully complete a course at the tertiary level.
For existing IS Milan students, a final MYP average grade of 5.0 is required for automatic progression to the IB Diploma (IBDP) at the end of the course. Students with averages between 4.5 and 5.0 are usually advised to enrol instead for individual IB Certificates (IB Courses), although students may sometimes be permitted to progress to the Diploma on a trial basis if their approach to learning is sufficiently positive. For external applicants, a separate entry process is carried out, to ensure that the IBDP will be suitable for their learning needs.
The Learning Community
Members of the learning community form the bridge that connects learning and teaching. The PYP learning community includes classrooms and schools, extending to the whole IB community and to the world as the broadest context for learning. It is inclusive of everyone involved in the life of the school: students and their families, school faculty and staff members, and other significant adults in students’ lives. This reflects the IB’s belief that educational outcomes are shaped by strong relationships amongst members of the learning community.