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International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at HDSB

The IB Diploma Program is a comprehensive two year program that takes place in the last 2 years of high school - Grades 11 & 12. To be eligible for an IB Diploma, candidates are to take a subject from​ each of the six groups of the Diploma Program, as well as complete three requirements of the Diploma Program core – the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (ToK), and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). 

​ For the 2023-2024 School Year, the IB Program is offered at 


  • ​Burlington Central High School in Burlington​
  • ​​Craig Kielburger Secondary School in Milton​​
  • ​Georgetown District High School in Georgetown​
  • White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville​ 

All four schools offer the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) for Grade 9 & 10 in preparation for the IB Diploma Program​ in Grade 11 & 12.​
​​​2023-2024​ Application Timelines

Friday, Nov. 4, 2022
Online Applications Opened

Start IB Application - HDSB Student - New to IB​  ​Start IB Application - External Student to HDSB​


Subsequent application rounds may open at the discretion of the school in late January.​ Please start an application to see which schools are accepting applications.

Monday, Dec. 5, 2022
Online Application Closed - The IB Program online application closed on Monday, Dec. 5.


IB Program Information

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups. 

Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

The three core elements are:
  • Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
  • The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
  • Creativity, activity, service, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.
The six subject groups are:
  1. Studies in language and literature
  2. Language acquisition
  3. Individuals and societies
  4. Sciences
  5. Mathematics
  6. The arts
There are different courses within each subject group designated as SL - Standard Level or HL - Higher Level.

 IB Course Offerings by School

  Course offerings vary by program based on a number of factors including school population size.​

Burlington Central High School - IB Program​
There are different courses within each subject group designated as SL - Standard Level or HL - Higher Level.

  • ​Group 1 - HL English Literature​
  • Group 2 - SL and HL French​
  • Group 3 - HL Economics, HL History ​
  • Group 4 - HL Biology SL Chemistry SL Physics ​
  • Group 5 - SL Mathematics- Approaches and Analysis​
  • Group 6 - SL Visual Arts​

French Immersion is available in the IB Program​

Craig Kielburger Secondary School - IB Program
There are different courses within each subject group designated as SL - Standard Level or HL - Higher Level.​

  • ​Group 1 - HL English Literature​
  • Group 2 - SL and HL French​
  • Group 3 - HL History​
  • Group 4 - HL Chemistry​
  • Group 5 - SL Mathematics- Approaches and Analysis
  • Group 6 - SL Theatre SL Visual Arts ​​​

Georgetown District High School - IB Program
There are different courses within each subject group designated as SL - Standard Level or HL - Higher Level.

  • Group 1 - HL English Literature​
  • Group 2 - SL and HL French​
  • Group 3 - SL History​
  • Group 4 - HL Biology HL Chemistry ​
  • Group 5 - SL Mathematics- Approaches and Analysis​
  • Group 6 - HL Visual Arts​

White Oaks Secondary School -  IB Program
There are different courses within each subject group designated as SL - Standard Level or HL - Higher Level.
  • Group 1 - HL English Literature, HL English Language and Literature
  • Group 2 - SL and HL French, SL Spanish ab Initio ​
  • Group 3 - SL Business and Management Studies, HL Economics, SL Environmental Systems & Societies, HL Geography ​
  • Group 4 - SL and HL Biology, SL and HL Chemistry, SL Physics ​ ​
  • Group 5 - SL and HL Mathematics - Approaches and Analysis​​​
  • Group 6 - SL and HL Music, SL and HL Visual Arts

 Additional IB Information​​​​​​​​​​

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
The Diploma Programme is a comprehensive two year programme that takes place in the last 2 years of high school (Grades 11 & 12). To be eligible for an IB Diploma, candidates are to take a subject from​ each of the six groups of the Diploma Programme, as well as complete three requirements of the Diploma Programme core – the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (ToK), and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). For more information about the programme, please visit www.ibo.org​.

Additional Resources

  • Are ​you an IB Learner​?​
  • Benefits of the IB Program​
  • Introduction to IB Diploma Programme​
  • Parent/Guardian IBDP Information​
The Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP)
The Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) is a two-year programme (Grades 9 & 10)​ designed to meet the challenges of the IBDP. The overarching purposes of the ALP are: 
  1. ​To prepare students for the academic rigour of the Diploma Programme.
  2. To help students hone their inter-personal skills required for success in the Diploma Programme.
​​ As such, students enrolled in the ALP will receive a time-table which will prepare them for the demands, both academically and personally, of the Diploma Programme. It will also allow for successful timetabling of Diploma Programme​ courses which will also meet graduation requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Fr​equently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For the online application does the student or parent apply for the program?
If the student is an HDSB student, the student must use his/her email address to start the application process online. In the application process parents/guardians will also be able to list their email address. The primary parent email address will receive an email regarding acceptance into the program. ​
What if my student is applying outside of the Halton District School Board?
Create an account with two step authentication. Carefully enter parent/guardian email.​​
What if I am currently in grade 9? Can I still apply for 10 ALP?
Yes, please apply to on-line to the HDSB application process.​ ​
When will I hear about the outcome of my application?
Applicants will be informed via student email mid-January.  Students must respond to the offer of admission (accept or decline) by the date outlined in the Admission offer email (usually end of January).  For specific dates each year, please refer to the HDSB IB School website​.​​
Do I need to submit reference letters from my teachers with my application?
No. Teacher references are not required.​ ​
Does the student qualify for busing?
Please be advised that only students who are within the boundaries of the IBDP school, and who meet the board requirements for busing, will be given board- sponsored transportation. All other students will need to arrange their own transportation to and from school. We do not get involved with second-party transportation issues.

Therefore, if you reside outside the transportation boundaries, you can still be accepted into the ALP or IB program here, but you will need to provide your own transportation.
​
​​Courtesy seat applications are available through haltonbus.ca​ and are subject to availability. ​
Are there fees for the ALP/ IBDP?
There are no fees for the ALP (Grades 9 & 10). There is a fee of $1350/year for the full IBDP (Grades 11 & 12). For IB Schools who offer IB Course options please contact the school directly for current fees  (payment to be made in the year of the IB Course examination).​​
Can I continue in the French Immersion Program and pursue the IB Diploma Programme?​
Yes, you can pursue the IB Diploma Programme while continuing​​​ in the French Immersion Program.
How will students apply to the program?
Applications will be available for students online as of October 30​​, 2020. Applications can be found through the IB website via hdsb.ca​.​
Who is able to apply to the program?
Students entering grade 9 and 10 can apply for the Accelerated Learning Program, and students entering grade 11 can apply for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Can students access an ALP/IBDP outside of their regional school?
Eligible students not accepted to their regional school due to limited space or who missed the application deadlines in the first round can submit an application for a school that offers a subsequent application round. ALP/IBDP programs with available space may open a subsequent round of applications, usually in February, timelines for subsequent applications are determined by the school and will be shared on the school website. ​
Can I stay at my home school and then transfer in grade 11?​
Yes, you can apply for grade 10 or 11. It is strongly recommended that students participate in ALP as it prepares the student for the rigor of the IB Diploma Programme. Students would then need to apply with their most current achievement.​
Is there a percentage cutoff for the ALP/IBDP admission?
We take a whole student approach looking for generally for 75% and above. “Students and parents can be confident that students who are achieving at level 3 (70%) are well prepared for work in the next grade or the next course.” Higher marks are advised and an emphasis is put on Learning Skills.
Is there an entrance test/exam required to apply?
No, entrance is based on the application process.
Is there a limited number of spots or places?
All applications submitted by the December application deadline will be considered in accordance with the eligibility criteria. Entrance into this optional program is based on the quality of the application and subject to availability of space in the ALP/IB as well as school capacity. Applications received after the deadline will only be considered once all other applications have been considered.​
What happens if I miss the application deadline?
Some schools may consider re-opening the application process​.
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