Diploma Programme Course of Study
The Senn IB Diploma Programme includes a comprehensive two-year study in the following subjects for 11th and 12th graders - see 'IB Course Descriptions' for more details:
- World Literature
- French or Spanish
- History
- Biology
- Math Studies
- Visual Arts
In addition to successfully completing the above course sequence, IB Diploma candidates must meet the following requirements designed to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.
- Extended essay (4,000 words): an independent investigation into a self-selected topic relating to one of the course subjects
- Theory of Knowledge: a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language, and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical, and historical)
- Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): a component that ensures students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. To fulfill CAS, IB Diploma candidates plan, participate in, then reflect on projects that demonstrate a range of pursuits including the arts, community service, and sports
Assessment
Assessment is conducted externally by IB examiners around the world as well as internally by Senn IB faculty. A variety of assessment tasks including essays, presentations, and interviews are used to evaluate student achievement. At the end of their senior year, students take written examinations in each subject which are marked by external IB examiners.