International Education (IB)

The International Baccalaureate was founded in Geneva,Switzerland in 1968 as a non-profit educational foundation.

The IB headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its curriculum and assessment offices are in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. As part of the IB World, St Brendan's School is aligned with the IB philosophy.

IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

What is unique about the IB?

It offers a continuum of education, consisting of three individual programmes that span the years from kindergarten to a pre-university diploma. Although traditionally known for the Diploma Programme, IB World Schools increasingly offer all three programmes.

It has earned a reputation for high quality education sustained for over 35 years. Its curriculum represents the best from many different countries rather than the exported national system of any one. The Diploma Programme assessment is recognized by the world?s leading universities. It maintains high standards by actively training and supporting teachers, and by authorizing and evaluating IB World Schools.

It encourages international-mindedness in IB students. To do this, it is believed that students must first develop an understanding of their own cultural and national identity. All IB students learn a second language and the skills to live and work with others internationally essential for life in the 21st century.

It encourages a positive attitude to learning by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to reflect critically, to develop research skills, and to learn how to learn. We encourage community service because we believe that there is more to learning than academic studies alone.

It ensures that their programmes are accessible to students in a wide variety of schools national, international, public and private in 139 countries.IB World Schools cooperate in curriculum development, student assessment and the governance of the IB, making this a unique international collaboration.

Adapted from: About the IB. What makes the International Baccalaureate® unique