International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate Programme is undoubtedly the best educational programme available today to help prepare our students to face the challenges of the 21st century. It is the gold standard in international education and has been shown to provide the best preparation for the most competitive universities.
The IB is most distinctive, however, in that it is more than simply a qualification; it is a broad and coherent educational vision, supported by a clearly defined set of values. It is through an IB education that we equip our students to become true global citizens, ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow. Cultural, scientific and technological literacy are embedded in a continuous curriculum, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. All of the programmes, Primary Years Programme (Ages 3-11), Middle Years Programme (ages 11-16) and Diploma Programme (ages 16-19; optional), purposefully help students develop the skills and attitudes required for them to be contributing and responsible members of their local and global communities.
Elmwood is proud to be the first girls’ school in North America to be accredited at all three levels of the IB Programme. Additionally, Elmwood is the only school in Ottawa and one of only 19 schools in Canada that offers all three levels of the Programme.
Primary Years Programme
The PYP for children aged 3 - 12 nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning through a student-centered approach to education.
Middle Years Programme
A challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, the MYP is inclusive by design; students of all interests and academic abilities can benefit from their participation.
Diploma Programme
Research suggests many benefits to choosing the DP. The programme aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.
There is a great deal of research that proves that the IB Programme is the best preparation for future studies. MYP and DP students participating in the High School Survey of Student Engagement were significantly more likely to feel engaged and challenged in school than non-IB students. They reported that they could: write and speak effectively; think critically; solve real-world problems; learn independently; and work well with others. They were also found to spend more time studying for class, doing written homework, volunteering, and participating in school-sponsored activities.
The IB Programme gives graduates an academic certification that is recognized around the world, offering students increased adaptability and mobility in an increasingly competitive job market. It also offers unparalleled preparation for university study. IB Diploma students are 21% more likely to be admitted to ten of the most prestigious universities including Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Stanford.
Elmwood’s IB Diploma Programme results are consistently strong and compare favourably against global and national results. Our Diploma Programme pass rate is 100% every year, compared to the global average of 78% and a Canadian average of 88%. In 2017, the median Elmwood Diploma score was 35 out of 45, compared to the world average of 29, and our students’ average individual score was 5.44 out of 7, which equates to 92% on the Ontario grading scale.