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IB Diploma Programme

IB Diploma Programme AT MBIS

For students in Grade 11 and 12

IB Diploma Programme

Recognized worldwide

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is recognized worldwide as a rigorous and rewarding course of study, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and values to succeed in higher education and their future careers.

IB Bilingual Diploma

All subjects are taught in English—except for Japanese. With a growing number of students pursuing post-graduation pathways in Japan, we are proud to maintain a high standard of Japanese language education. Many of our students undertake the IB Bilingual Diploma, reflecting our commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity.

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Diploma Programme Overview

The IB Diploma Programme is a comprehensive, pre-university course of study that nurtures the whole person. It emphasizes intellectual, personal, emotional, and social growth, preparing students to navigate an interconnected and ever-changing global landscape.

One of the core goals of an IB education is to foster intercultural understanding, which forms the foundation for a more compassionate and respectful global community. The DP curriculum develops critical thinking, collaboration, and research skills, encouraging students to become inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring individuals.

Academic Pathways

From Grades 6 to 10, students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme curriculum framework. The curriculum is supported by the Common Core State Standards, and adapted to meet the needs of our diverse student body. This foundation ensures a smooth transition into Grades 11 and 12, where students follow graduation pathways centered on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP).

MBIS offers four graduation pathways:

MBIS Diploma

MBIS Diploma + IB Subject Certificate(s)

The student takes 1-6 subjects of their own choice at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL).

MBIS Diploma + IB Diploma

The student takes 6 subjects, 3 at Higher Level (HL) and 3 at Standard Level (SL) and fulfills the requirements of the core (TOK, EE, CAS)

MBIS Diploma + IB Bilingual Diploma

The student takes 6 subjects, 3 at Higher Level (HL) and 3 at Standard Level (SL) and fulfills the requirements of the core (TOK, EE, CAS). The student takes 2 subjects from Group 1 (English A & Japanese A)

As an IB World School accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), MBIS graduates are equipped to attend colleges and universities worldwide.

The IB Diploma Programme curriculum

Six subject groups

In the Diploma Programme, the students are to study six subjects – one from each of the six subject groups.

Group 1

Studies in Language and Literature

ENGLISH A SL/HL

JAPANESE A SL/HL

Group 2

Language Acquisition

JAPANESE B SL/HL

Group 3

Individuals and Societies

PSYCHOLOGY SL/HL

GEOGRAPHY SL/HL

HISTORY SL/HL

Group 4

Sciences

BIOLOGY SL/HL

PHYSICS SL/HL

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS & SOCIETIES SL

Group 5

Mathematics

MATH APPLICATIONS & INTERPRETATION SL/HL

MATH ANALYSIS & APPROACHES SL/HL

Group 6

The Arts (Electives)

CHEMISTRY SL/HL

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SL/HL

VISUAL ARTS SL/HL

School-Supported Self-Taught Languages & DP online courses offered through Pamoja are also options at MBIS.

Standard Level and Higher Level

The Diploma Programme requires the students to take at least three (but not more than four) subjects at a higher level (HL), and the rest of the three subjects at a standard level (SL). Standard level subjects are not the simplified versions of the subjects; the higher level subjects consist of a greater body of knowledge and usually have more assessment components.

The Core

In addition to the 6 subjects, all IB Diploma students must complete an extended essay (EE), follow a theory of knowledge (TOK) course, and participate in the creativity, activity, & service (CAS) program.

Creativity, Activity, & Service (CAS)

The students at Marist Brothers International School are offered a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. All activities, ranging from performance arts to sports, from MUN to service activities, take place after school, and all of them contribute to the students’ CAS program. In addition, service activities such as helping feed the homeless of Kobe and working at the Kobe Global Charity Festival are organized on the weekends.
The students are encouraged to undertake CAS activities at school, some of which could be proposed by them; also, students can choose to take part in activities outside the school, provided that a qualified supervisor is monitoring the activity.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Theory of Knowledge is a course that offers students the opportunity to reflect on the nature of knowledge. The course is designed around the question of how we know what to know, and the students are introduced to different ways of knowing and different kinds of knowledge.

Extended Essay (EE)

Extended Essay is one of the three core elements; it is an independent research-based essay of approximately 4,000 words. It promotes high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery, and creativity. During this process, the student is guided by a supervisor who is a teacher at the school.

Marist Brothers International School

IB World School since 2017

IB Diploma Programme

Learn more about the structure, philosophy, and learning approach of the IB DP in the official guide from the International Baccalaureate.

Student Learning