The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a prestigious educational system that has gained recognition worldwide. IB schools differ from traditional educational institutions in their approach to education, focusing on critical thinking, research skills, interdisciplinary connections and student independence.
But what does an ordinary school day look like at an IB school?
In this article, we will look behind the scenes of IB education and find out how it differs from the usual educational process. The IB program is not just a set of subjects, but an integrated system aimed at comprehensive personal development. She teaches not only knowledge, but also the skills necessary for a successful life in the modern world. Students of IB schools do not just memorize information, but learn to independently acquire knowledge, analyze it, draw conclusions and solve problems. They actively participate in the educational process, express their ideas, discuss and work on projects. In this article, we will talk about how the school day at the IB school is going.
We will consider:
- The structure of the school day:
- How many lessons per day?
- What subjects are being studied?
- How long does each lesson last?
- Lesson formats:
- What teaching methods are used?
- How are students’ knowledge and skills evaluated?
- Extracurricular activities:
- What clubs and sections are there in the school?
- How do students spend their free time?
- Opinion of students and teachers:
- What are the pros and cons of IB education?
- Recommendations:
- Is the IB program suitable for everyone?
Morning in the world of IB:
- Lessons at the IB school begin cheerfully. Lessons usually start at 8:00 a.m., so students need to arrive in advance in order to register, change clothes, chat with friends and prepare for classes.
⏳ The first lesson usually lasts 45-50 minutes.
It can be either a lecture, a seminar, a group work or a project. The format of the lesson depends on the subject and the teacher. There is an atmosphere of interest and engagement in the lessons. Students do not just listen to the teacher, but actively participate in the discussion, ask questions and express their ideas. The teacher acts as a mentor who helps students to gain knowledge and draw conclusions on their own.
After the first lesson, you should ⏰ 10-minute break. Students can use this time to have a snack, chat with friends, go to the library or the toilet.
The second lesson:
🕣 The second lesson starts at 8:50-9:00.
⏳ It also lasts 45-50 minutes.
In this lesson, students usually immerse themselves in studying one of the subjects of the IB program. It can be mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, literature, a foreign language or another subject. The lessons are dynamic and interesting. Teachers use a variety of teaching methods:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Group work
- Projects
- Discussions
- Presentations
- Laboratory work
- Games
- Role-playing games
This approach allows students to be as interested as possible and make the learning process effective.
Lunch:
🍽 В 10:45-11:00 It’s time for lunch.
Students can
- Have lunch in the school cafeteria.
- The menu in the school cafeteria is usually varied and balanced.
- Students can choose dishes to suit their taste.
- Bring food from home.
- This allows them to save money and choose products that are more familiar to them.
⏳ The lunch break lasts 30-45 minutes.
This is the time students
- They can be used for recreation, socializing with friends and walking in the fresh air.
- They can visit clubs and sections that are open at this time.
The third lesson:
🕦 After lunch, the third lesson begins at 11:45-12:00.
⏳ It also lasts 45-50 minutes.
In this lesson, the students
- They can continue studying one of the subjects of the IB program.
- They can attend a lesson of their choice.
There are many elective courses at the IB school that allow students to broaden their horizons and develop their interests.
Change:
⏰ At 13:30-13:45, the break begins.
During this time, students can
- Use it for relaxing, chatting with friends and walking in the fresh air.
- Visit the library, computer lab or other school premises.
- Prepare for the next lesson.
The fourth lesson:
🕑 The fourth lesson starts at 13:45-14:00 and lasts 45-50 minutes.
In this lesson, the students
- They can continue studying one of the subjects of the IB program.
- They can attend a lesson of their choice.
The IB school pays great attention to the development of students’ creative abilities. Therefore, the schedule includes subjects such as →
- Music
- Visual art
- Theatre
- Dances
- And others.
End of the school day:
🕞 The school day ends at 15:30-15:45.
Students can
- Stay at school to do your homework, visit clubs and sections, or participate in other activities.
- Go home to rest and prepare for the next day.
Homework in the IB school is not as extensive as in traditional schools. However, they require students to be independent and creative.
Extracurricular life:
The IB school pays great attention to extracurricular activities. Students can attend various clubs and sections, such as:
- Sports: Football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, athletics and others.
- Creative: Music, visual arts, theater, dance, photography, video, journalism and others.
- Academic: Mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, literature, foreign languages and others.
- Social: Volunteering, ecology, tourism, debates, UN modeling and others.
Participation in clubs and sections allows students to
- Develop your interests and talents.
- Find new friends.
- Learn how to work in a team.
- Become more confident
Opinion of students and teachers: pros and cons of IB education
👍 IB supporters point out the following advantages:
- High quality education.
- The development of critical thinking, research skills and independence.
- A wide range of subjects and options to choose from.
- International recognition of the diploma.
- Preparation for university.
👎 Opponents of IB talk about:
- The high cost of training.
- A lot of stress on the students.
- The complexity of the program.
- The lack of universality for everyone.
It is important to note that IB education is not suitable for everyone. It requires a lot of time, effort and self-discipline from students. Therefore, before making a choice in favor of an IB school, it is necessary to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
Recommendations: is the IB program suitable for you?
🏆The IB program can be an excellent choice for those who:
- He wants to get a high-quality education.
- I am ready to work and study a lot.
- Strives to develop critical thinking, research skills and independence.
- He plans to enroll in a prestigious university.
- He wants to travel and study abroad.
If you recognize yourself in these descriptions, then the IB program can be a great chance for you to realize your potential. However, it is important to remember that IB is not for everyone. Before making a choice, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
Conclusion:
The school day at the IB school differs from the traditional approach to education. It is aimed at developing students’ critical thinking, research skills and independence. The IB program can be an excellent choice for those who want to receive a high-quality education and prepare for a successful life in the modern world. However, it is important to remember that IB is not for everyone. Before making a choice, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
