International School of Bergamo

High School (DP)

Diploma Programme

International School of Bergamo opened its first year of high school in September 2019. Based on a 4-year programme, the International Baccalaureate curriculum issues the only international diploma recognised in Italy since 1987*.

dp-programme-logo

 

 

 

THERE ARE 2 DISTINCT PHASES OF HIGH SCHOOL, EACH LASTING 2 YEARS:

1. In Grades 10 to 11, students work towards completion of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years programme (MYP).

There is a combination of compulsory and optional subjects, and assessment is an on-going and essential feature of every course.


DISCOVER THE MYP

 

2. In Grades 12 and 13, our students take the IB Diploma Programme which is recognised by universities all over the world.

The IB Diploma Programme (for students aged 16 to 18)  is the gold standard amongst university entrance qualifications worldwide. IB graduates are offered direct entrance into universities in the UK (and elsewhere) without the need to sit additional admissions tests, in many cases.

As it is a challenging programme with externally assessed examinations, admission is based on a student’s school record (and admissions tests for external candidates). This range of subjects enables students to study potentially any discipline at the university level (depending on their Higher Level subjects). Three of the subjects are studied at the Higher Level, and students obtain greater depth in these choices.


DISCOVER THE MYP

 

The International School of Bergamo opened the High School classes in September 2019, drawing considerably on the experience of our sister school in Milan, which has offered the programme since 1987.

THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme curriculum is built around 6 academic areas enclosing a central core. It encourages the concurrent study of a broad range of academic areas.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COMBINATION

High School Bergamo-Subject Specialisation

Within the academic areas, students will choose their subjects from the following list:

  • Language&Literature; English, Italian or mother tongue
  • Language Acquisition; French, Spanish, English or Italian.
  • Experimental Sciences; Physics, Biology, Chemistry
  • Individuals&Societies; History, Economics.
  • Mathematics; Applications & Interpretation or Analysis & Approaches
  • Electives- students have the option to study a second subject from the other groups. 

In each of the academic areas students have flexibility in making their choices, which means they can choose subjects that particularly interest them and that they may wish to study further at university.
Three subjects (and not more than four) are taken at higher level (HL), and the others are taken at standard level (SL). Subjects at HL are studied in greater depth and breadth than at SL. At both levels, many skills are developed, especially those of critical thinking and analysis.

At the end of the course, students’ abilities are measured by means of external and internationally standardised assessment.
It is this comprehensive range of subjects that makes the Diploma Programme a demanding course of study designed to prepare students effectively for university entrance and, above all, success in life beyond.

 

3 REQUIRED COMPONENTS

High School Bergamo-The Core

All Diploma Programme students actively participate in the three components that make up the core of the programme.
Reflection on all these activities is a principle that lies at the heart of the thinking behind the Diploma Programme.

TOK- The Theory of Knowledge course encourages students to think about the nature of knowledge, to reflect on the process of learning in all the subjects they study as part of their Diploma Programme, and to make connections across the academic areas.

Extended Essay- The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. It enables students to investigate a topic of special interest that they have chosen themselves and also encourages them to develop the skills of independent research that will be expected at university.

CAS- Creativity, Activity, Service involves students in experiential learning within the community through a range of artistic, sporting, physical and service activities. The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are characterized as follows:

  • Creativity – arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
  • Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.
  • Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student.