WHICH SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG OFFER THE IB ?
Thirty-four schools in Hong Kong offer the Primary Years Programme ( PYP ), nine schools offer the Middle Years Programme ( MYP ) and twenty-nine secondary schools offer the Diploma Programme . These schools are :
• Australian International School
• Canadian International School of Hong Kong
• Chinese International School
• Creative Secondary School
• Diocesan Boys ’ School
• Elsa High School
• English Schools Foundation - five secondary schools and two colleges
• French International School
• German Swiss International School
• Hong Kong Academy
• International College Hong Kong
• Independent Schools Foundation Academy
• Kiangsu & Chekiang Primary School
• Logos Academy
• Li Po Chun United World College
• Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School
• Singapore International School
• St Paul ’ s Co-ed
• Victoria Shanghai Academy
• Yew Chung International School
• ELCHK Lutheran Academy
• St Stephen ’ s College
• Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling
What ’ s the difference ?
At all levels , the IB takes a global approach , looking at big ideas across disciplines , so that students might read a novel from an era they are also studying in history as well as in music or art class . In contrast with some education systems that focus on rote learning and standardised tests , IB classes and assessments tend to involve more research , writing , and hands-on evaluation . A key difference is the final exam . IB exams are set up to challenge students to apply what they ’ ve learned in new scenarios , such as analysing a case study , in an effort to test students ’ ability to react to new information in a limited period of time . The tests ( often essays ) are then sent to one of 6,000 trained international examiners to be graded alongside work from other IB students worldwide .
Study specifics
IB Diploma candidates are required to tackle six subjects : two languages , one of which must be the mother tongue ; one experimental science ( biology or physics , for example ); one in maths or computer science ; one in the arts ( music , theatre or visual ); and the last one involving the individual and society ( history or geography , for example ). Students take three of the subjects at the standard level and the remaining three at a higher level . Students must take part in sports , art performances and community service . Lastly , students are also required to complete ‘ the theory of knowledge ,’ which teaches where knowledge comes from and how to analyse evidence and make arguments ; and a 4,000-word extended essay about a chosen topic .
Is IB right for your child ?
This depends partly on how your child learns . In an IB class , your child is less likely to take notes during teacher-led lectures and more likely to work on individual or group projects with the teacher facilitating . IB classes tend to be academically challenging , requiring
students to take initiative , organise and complete projects , and speak in front of their classmates . Students who thrive in a demanding environment and like having options ( like picking research topics and choosing how to present what they learn ) would probably do well in the IB system . Others might feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the curriculum . Also , the IB can be time-consuming . Children who struggle in school or have serious extracurricular commitments , such as competing at a high level in sports , may not have the time or energy for the IB curriculum .
In Ruth Benny ’ s experience , the IB system is not right for every student , as “ some students struggle to do all six subjects , the extended essay and the theory of knowledge . At high school , the rigour can be too much for some , and unnecessary for others . If a student is a science boffin and has zero interest in the arts , it may be wiser to take A-Levels .”
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