There are two ways in which students can follow the IB curriculum at ISH. They can become IB Diploma candidates and attempt the full programme or they can choose to study individual subjects and take IB examinations (Certificates) in these subjects. Students may enrol in the two year IB Diploma programme upon departmental recommendation. To qualify for the IB Diploma, the full IB course of study must be followed. This entails passing examinations in six subject areas, three at higher level and three at standard level, completing an Extended Essay which is an independent research study, a course in the Theory of Knowledge and participation in CAS (Creativity, Action and Social Service) activities.
Current IB subject courses are: English A1/A2/B (Higher/Standard); German A1/A2/B (H/S); Japanese A1 (H/S); French B (Higher/Standard); Spanish B (Higher/Standard) Languages A1 and A2; Mathematics (Higher/Standard/Studies); Biology (Higher/Standard); Chemistry (Higher/Standard); Physics (Higher/Standard); Geography (Higher/Standard); History (Higher/Standard); Visual Arts (Higher/Standard), and Theatre (Higher/Standard). Scoring in examinations is on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the highest award possible for each subject, and 24 points are needed to qualify for the full IB Diploma. Students may also receive individual IB Certificates for which they may be granted Advanced Placement status at US colleges and universities.
The International School Hamburg has been offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) since 1979. It is recognised as a pre-university course and is designed to facilitate the mobility of students, and to promote international understanding.
