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 Group 1: Languages A1
Group 2: Language A2, B and ab initio (beginning)
Group 3: Individuals and Society
Group 4: Experimental Sciences
Group 5: Mathematics
Group 6: The Arts and Elective
Group 1 - Languages A1
Language A: English, German, French, Spanish
Language A courses are designed for native speakers of a language or for students with an equivalent
ability in writing, reading, speaking and comprehending the language. 
These classes assume mastery of the language's grammar. The principal goals of a course in Language
A are to foster an intelligent appreciation of literature and develop a higher level of writing
ability. The IB allows a student to take an exam in any language, which may be pursued at the school
on an independent, self-taught basis. All students must take world literature as a component of
their Language A course to ensure that every student is exposed to works of authors from other
continents.
Group 2 - Languages A2, B and ab initio
Language A2: English
A2 is tailored to fit the needs of students who are skilled in the use of spoken English,
but for whom English is a second language. The course assumes that an A2 student's skill
in writing and formal speaking needs further development and is structured to foster growth in
these areas. The course uses a detailed study of literary and cultural options as a method for honing students' analytical
skills and developing a high degree of proficiency in critical writing and speaking. The course is offered at higher and standard levels.
Language B: English, French, Spanish
Language B courses emphasize the development of the student’s linguistic competence in a second
language. Students explore a Language B through examining a wide variety of media written in the
language. Newspapers and magazines, films, plays and novels all aid in the growth of the student's
linguistic abilities and allow students to gain an appreciation of the culture(s) in which the
language is spoken. Instruction is offered at higher and standard levels in English, French and
Spanish.
Ab initio: Spanish, French
The ab initio program is designed to be studied over two years at standard level by students who
have no previous experience of learning the target language.
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies
Economics 
The Economics course provides students with the analytical skills necessary to understand why and
how individuals, firms and governments make choices which affect their well-being and that of society
as a whole. Students study the questions of “what?” “how?” and “for whom?”
as contemporary real world issues, not as abstractions.
Geography
Through geography we seek to understand these differences in patterns
of human distribution, interrelationships between human society
and the physical environment, people’s use of the Earth in
time and space, and how these differences are related to people’s
cultures and economies. These, and other related themes, express
major concerns of our time and reflect the consequences of spatial
decisions. This course is multidisciplinary; it links the physical
sciences (geology, physics, chemistry, biology and botany) with
the social sciences (anthropology, sociology, history, economics
and political sciences) to answer questions. The course is skill-based
and involves doing extensive fieldwork, gathering primary data,
making and using maps, creating and analyzing graphs or diagrams,
observing patterns, interpreting photos and calculating relationships.
Students develop the skills and behaviors of predicting, questioning,
selecting, analyzing, justifying, synthesizing, and decision-making
with a spatial dimension.
History
This course focuses on 20th century history and emphasizes causes,
practices and effects of war, the rise and rule of single-party
dictatorships; international organizations and the Cold War 1945-1964.
A large portion of the class is dedicated to 19th and 20th century
European history. Students write an independent research paper on
a historical topic in which primary sources may be used in conducting
their research.
Social Anthropology
This course focuses on understanding how and why cultures differ, and on the variety of ways people
have found to organize and group themselves in societies. It also considers relationships between
societies and their physical environments, as well as their relationships to each other. Students
are encouraged to make systematic comparisons between their own societies and the range of societies
they study in the course. Students examine contemporary issues such as the impact of urbanization
on traditional ways of life, the impact of technological change on both traditional and industrial
societies, and the social and cultural impact of planned economics and technical change, Students
are expected to also gain some familiarity with the methods of anthropology. Those enrolled in
the Higher Level course carry out their own field work projects under faculty supervision.
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences
Biology - Higher Level
This course is designed for students with a keen interest in science and biological systems. It
covers a broad range of topics in a comprehensive manner. Cellular and molecular biology are emphasized,
along with human biology, genetics and ecology.
These topics are taught through a combination of lectures and practical work in the laboratory
and in the field. The caliber of the course would make it a sensible choice for those interested
in a medical career. Although a background in biology and chemistry would be useful, it is by no
means necessary and the course is open to any interested student.
Biology - Standard level
This course is often taken by a student who has an interest in biology but does not anticipate
that the sciences will be the focus of his or her study at the university level. The course examines
the same topics as higher level biology, but it does not delve as deeply. However, since it is
likely to be a terminal course, and it may represent the student's total science experience, a
properly scientific approach is followed, based on experimentation. In the second year, the course
attempts to center itself on the study of humans as an example of biological systems.
Chemistry - Higher Level
This course is designed to provide students who intend to study science or engineering at the university
level a sound foundation in the principles of chemistry. The course explores topics in physical,
inorganic and organic chemistry. Students will study two of several options which extend knowledge
in areas of analytical or organic chemistry, or apply the basic principles of chemistry to a study
of human biochemistry, environmental chemistry, chemical industries, or fuels and energy.
Chemistry - Standard Level
This course is intended to provide an understanding of the basic principles of chemistry to students
with relatively little or no background in chemistry. The breadth of coverage is similar to that
of the HL course, but some of the more advanced topics treated at that level are omitted for the
SL course. Students will also study three of several options which extend knowledge in areas of
physical or organic chemistry, or apply the basic principles of chemistry to a study of human biochemistry,
environmental chemistry, chemical industries, or fuels and energy.
Environmental Systems
This course is offered at standard level only and examines the structure and functioning of natural environments, effects of humans on ecosystem function
and other environmental issues. It includes consideration of elements of ecology, chemistry, physics,
geography, economics and political science as this integrated, more holistic approach offers the best
possibility of resolving complex environmental issues. The course relies on a great deal
of laboratory and fieldwork to convey ecological concepts.
Physics
Physics is offered at both higher and standard levels. Both are survey courses covering the general
principles of physics including measurement, mechanics, thermal physics, waves, electricity and
magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics. Additional topics offered include historical physics, astrophysics,
special and general relativity. Both course levels require extensive experimental work, including
involvement in a group project. Background in algebra and trigonometry is expected.
Group 5 - Mathematics
Mathematics - Higher Level
Mathematics at higher level caters to students with a good background in mathematics who are competent
in a range of analytical and technical skills. The majority of students will be expecting to include
mathematics as a major component of their university studies, either as a subject in its own right
or within courses such as physics, engineering and technology. Others may take it because they
have a strong interest in mathematics and enjoy meeting its challenges and engaging its problems.
The higher lever course is a demanding one, requiring students to study a broad range of topics
through a number of different approaches. The course contains considerable mathematical rigor and
proof.
Mathematics - Standard Level
The population of students most likely to select this subject will be those who expect to go on
to study subjects which have a significant mathematical content, for example, chemistry, economics,
geography, and business administration. The course covers the same broad range of topics found
in the higher level course but does not have the depth found in that program. Students starting
this course are expected to have knowledge of basic concepts and the skills needed to apply mathematical
techniques correctly.
Mathematical Studies - Standard Level
This course caters to students with varied backgrounds and abilities. It is designed to build confidence
in and appreciation for mathematics for students who do not anticipate a need for mathematics in
their future studies. Their main interests lie outside the field of mathematics and for many this
course would be the last formal study of the subject. Students starting this course are expected
to have fundamental skills and basic knowledge of mathematical processes.
Group 6 - The Arts and Electives
A Group 6 choice might include any one of several options: visual arts; music;
theatre arts; a third modern language; a second subject from group 3 or group 4.
Visual Arts
Courses in visual arts accommodate both beginning and advanced students. During the first semester,
a foundation course introduces students to a variety of media, techniques and ideas. Traditional
methods are augmented with a strong emphasis on individual experimentation. Students also study
art appreciation and develop research workbooks and supplement their studio activities. After the
foundation course has been completed, students choose their own areas of creative exploration.
The course culminates in a final group exhibition held in April of the students' second year. An external examiner visits and grades the exhibition for 70% of the grade and the Research Workbook is internally assessed for 30% of the grade.
Music
The IB music curriculum is designed to accommodate the study of a diverse range of non-western
musical traditions, while ensuring that students are well-versed in the history and theory of western
music. 
The course places equal emphasis on the academic study of music and the study of music as a performance
art. Standard level students take a written exam that tests their theoretical comprehension of
music. In addition, they must either produce a portfolio of compositions, arrangements and improvisations,
or they must perform a recital at the end of their second year. Higher level students also take
a written exam, but they must produce a portfolio and perform a recital. The school provides lessons
on one instrument for music students. Students may perform on an instrument from any musical culture
in the world.
Theatre Arts
This course combines the study and practice of theatre. Students study theatre history (major developments
and techniques of more then one culture), play analysis, directing, and theatre production. At
the same time, students explore the many processes of theatrical production, culminating in the
acquisition of sufficient technical skill to produce satisfactory work in at least one of the theatrical
arts or crafts. Students must perform before an audience and create a Theatre Art Portfolio that
highlights their development and contribution in performance and production.
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