The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an increasingly popular curriculum for many families when it comes to secondary education. Over 4,000 schools have adopted the IB programme with more than one million IB students worldwide. The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) in years 12 and 13 is particularly known for its academic rigor, and providing your child with the proper support outside of school can make all the difference. See below from USNews on tips on how to prepare effectively:

1. “Identify your path”- It’ll be to your child’s advantage to know what they want to study in the future. While most college majors won’t require prerequisites, some do and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
2. “Familiarise yourself with the course content”- Have your child go through the course syllabus before school starts. If none is available, try looking for one from last year.

3. “Get organized”- The IBDP is known for it’s time consuming and comprehensive projects. Being organized and being able to manage time are two of most important soft skills required for success.

4. “Exercise the mind”- The IB programme encourages students to think critically and creatively and places importance on academic independence. Encourage your child to seek out educational activities that promote creative thinking.

5. “Plan for the programme’s mandatory components”- There are three main components that are exclusive to the IB programme: the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) requirement, the Extended Essay (EE), and the Creativity, Action and Service project. It’s never too early to start brainstorming.