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The IB Diploma College (IBDC), located in Building A, caters to the needs of our Grades 11 and 12 students by providing them with the opportunity to develop a mature and age-appropriate independence within a structured and supportive environment. Within this system students are encouraged to develop their national identity as world citizens.

In addition to following a rigorous academic programme, IBDC students receive continuous support from university guidance counsellors in helping them identify and apply to suitable universities. The IBDC also provides support in the areas of social and life skills through the Counselling Department and Year Coordinators who closely monitor student’s progress and performance in all areas of school life.

To enable each student to meet the requirements of the IBO and ABS graduation, an extensive range of creative, service and sporting activities is available.

The Zeina Shaath ICT room provides a fully networked facility where students can work and research. IBDC students also have full access to the Media Centre as well as other whole school facilities.

The college operates a two semester academic year (September – January/ February – June) with classes running from Sunday to Thursday. Activities and field trips may involve students over weekends. Official IB examinations are held each May and the IBO announces results in early July.

Students following the IB programme in Grades 11 and 12 can obtain Tawjihi Equivalence by meeting the requirements of the Ministry of Education which are published in the college handbook.

 Academic Programme

On entering the college students are directed into either the full IB Diploma programme or, if deemed appropriate, to a slightly less demanding Certificate programme.

All students are expected to take three subjects at Higher level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL) from: Arabic, English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Geography, History, Islamic History, Business and Management, Design Technology, Visual Arts, Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) and Theatre Arts. Choice of subjects may be restricted by staffing and timetable considerations.

All IBDC students take Physical Education, Religion/Ethics and Theory of Knowledge. IB Diploma candidates are also required to write an Extended Essay.

 Marking System

ABS has adapted the IBO grade range for internal school use to meet the expectations of the Ministry of Education and to facilitate reporting to universities:

 Graduation Requirements

All students must complete twelve years of education and attend at least 175 teaching days out of the required 180 teaching days per year. Only medically excused absences are accepted as reasons for not meeting this requirement. Each class period is 50 minutes long and students in grades 11 and 12 are offered 35 class periods per week.

(IB students have a different number of class periods according to their subject schedule). Creativity, service to the community and participation in sports (CAS) are also compulsory components for graduation.

 Activities

An extensive programme of activities is offered to IBDC students to enable them to meet their school and IB Diploma CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) requirements either through school based activities or through the El Hassan Youth Award (EYA) scheme.

The EYA is one of a large number of similar programmes offered in over 60 countries around the world (e.g. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the US Congressional Award, etc.) It is a voluntary and non-competitive activities programme for young men and women in which each participant engages in a physical recreation, perseveres with a skill, takes part in community service and goes on an expedition.

The Award is offered at three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, each involving an increasing degree of commitment.