How is the IB Different?

“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” - Albert Einstein

What is an IB Education?

The central desire of an IB Education is to provide an education that enables students to make sense of the complexities of the world around them, as well as equipping them with the skills and disposition needed for taking responsible action for the future. It provides an Education that crosses disciplinary, cultural, national and geographical boundaries, and that champions critical engagement, though simulating ideas and effective relationships.

How is the IB implemented at St. Thomas?

The IB Middle Years Programme is an academically advanced enrichment program at St. Thomas; it is a program that students, once accepted, follow for all 5 years of High School.  It is academically advanced because students cover the prescribed Quebec Education Curriculum at a quicker pace allowing for additional time to cover more units and to go into more depth. 

It is an enrichment program by virtue of its holistic approach to education. There are 4 facets to enrichment at St. Thomas; firstly students are given many opportunities to complete projects that are across subject areas which allow the students to develop an understanding of how subjects relate to each other as well as the real world. At the end of their final year in the programme students around the world complete a series of exams at the same time that lead to the awarding of the internationally recognized certificate.

Secondly, Students are given opportunities to connect with their communities through their Service as Action activities where they help out at various organizations and/or recognized events.

Thirdly, Students are regularly taught to reflect back on their learning in all of their subjects in order to solidify their grasp of the knowledge and skills they acquired as well as to look inward at themselves as learners for ways to continue their growth as students.

Finally, the IB provides students with the opportunity to complete a culminating Personal Project in their final year of study that is self-directed inquiry based project that provides students the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge, skills and personal growth developed during their time in the IB Programme. This project also emulates the research based project that many students must complete at the end of their two year CEGEP program.