The International Baccalaureate program is a rigorous pre-university course of study that meets the needs of the highly motivated secondary school student. Designed as a comprehensive curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of the various national systems of education, the IB program is based on the pattern of no single country. It provides students of different linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social, and critical perspectives necessary for the adult world that lies ahead of them. 

The education of the "whole person" takes on a special significance in the twenty-first century when knowledge continues to expand dramatically; when advanced technologies and global economies have tied together vastly different cultures; when the world is bound too closely for provincial ideologies to guide political thought; when to exist in a world community requires appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity; and when cooperation alone will solve global problems. It is essential therefore that academic training provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to succeed in the competitive modern world. 

All IB Diploma candidates are required to engage in the study of Languages, Sciences, Mathematics, and Humanities in the final two years of their secondary schooling. 

The high standards implicit in the IB examinations assume high levels of achievement and preparation at the middle school and Florida’s Pre-IB levels. This program is a deliberate compromise between the preference for specialization in some countries and the emphasis on breadth often preferred in others. The intent is that students should learn how to learn, how to analyze, and how to reach considered conclusions about people, their languages and literature, their ways in society, and the scientific forces of the environment. 

Since the International Baccalaureate Office was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1965, the IB Program has grown to almost 5,000 schools in 150 countries. Working in three official languages (English, French, and Spanish), IB enjoys the respect and support of many governments, colleges, and universities. 

Students are often accorded advanced standing in college based on their IB work. Significant numbers of IB Diploma holders both from within and outside North America have gained admission to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Stanford, MIT, the University of Chicago, and other prominent institutions. 

Parents and guardians:

We are excited to share that the IB Career-related Programme has officially been authorized! This initiative is designed to equip students with essential skills for their future careers, blending academic learning with practical experiences. The IBCP combines academic rigor with real-world skills. This program will empower students with the skills and knowledge they need for success in their careers. Information regarding the program is below:

The IB Career-related Programme (Grades 11 & 12)

The Career-related Programme (CP) is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique programme addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education.  The CP was specifically developed for students who wish to engage in career-related learning while gaining transferable and lifelong skills in applied knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural engagement.

The CP Curriculum consists of:

• Two courses from the IB Diploma Programme (IB)
• the CP core (Service Learning, Reflective Project, Language Development, and Personal and Professional Skills)
• Career-related Studies – Certified Nursing Program

This program offers students the rigor and challenge of IB without the requirements of the full IB Diploma Programme. 

Benefits of the IB CP for students:

• Combine academic subjects with their personal and professional interests and skills
• Think critically and creatively
• Build effective communication skills
• Develop greater self-confidence and self-awareness
• Be internationally-minded and globally aware
• Apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios and situations.

If you have questions about this program, please contact E. Melissa Cooper at coopere@leonschools.net or Dr. Williams at williamsj@leonschools.net.