Diploma Programme G11-12
IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME (Grade 11 and 12)
The Canadian School of Milan offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme as the final two years of High School. The IB Diploma provides an internationally recognised, highly prestigious and well-balanced education for our students.
The International Baccalaureate programme is recognised globally as the gold standard in education. The IB Diploma prepares our students for the intellectual rigour of university study by teaching them the skills necessary for success.
Curriculum Framework
The IB Diploma Programme is a broad base two year course, requiring study in six subject areas, including a study of Literature in a (near)native language, a modern foreign language, Mathematics, a Humanity and at least one of the Sciences. In addition, students participate in a Creativity, Action, Service programme, write a 5000-word extended essay, researching a topic of their choice and follow a core critical thinking programme ‘Theory of Knowledge’. Students work towards gaining the highest number of points in order to enter the University of their choosing, both in Italy and abroad.
Language and Literature (English A, French A, Italian A)
As part of the Diploma Programme (DP), students take at least one subject from studies in language and literature. Taking two studies in language and literature subjects in different languages is one way of obtaining a bilingual diploma.
Language Acquisition (English B, French B, Spanish B, Italian B)
Students must study at least one subject from this group.
The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language.
Individuals and Societies (History, Business Management)
Students are required to choose one subject in this group. Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of a critical appreciation of:
- human experience and behaviour
- the varieties of physical, economic and social environments that people inhabit
- the history of social and cultural institutions.
In addition, each subject is designed to foster in students the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate theories, concepts and arguments relating to the nature and activities of individuals and societies.
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Students are required to study at least one science subject.
Students explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques that underpin each subject area and through these develop their understanding of the scientific method.
A compulsory project encourages students to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science. This exercise is collaborative and interdisciplinary and provides an opportunity for students to explore scientific solutions to global questions.
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
This subject is required for all DP students at CSM.
The aims of this course are to enable students to:
- develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles
- develop logical, critical and creative thinking
- employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization.
Students are also encouraged to appreciate the international dimensions of mathematics and the multiplicity of its cultural and historical perspectives.
All DP mathematics courses require students to appreciate the use of technology in mathematics and become proficient with graphic display calculators.
The Arts (Music, Visual Arts)
- Visual Arts
- Drama
- Design
The subjects in the arts allow a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres.
In addition, each subject is designed to foster critical, reflective and informed practice, help students understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity of arts across time, place and cultures, and express themselves with confidence and competence.
Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts.