Academics

• They offer a continuum of education, consisting of three individual programmes—Primary Years Programme (ages 3-10), Middle Years Programme (ages 10-16), Diploma Programme (ages 17-19). The IB 6-12 school in Pittsburgh offers the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.
• They have a strong reputation for high-quality education sustained for over 35 years. Their curriculum represents the best from many different countries rather than the exported national system of any one. The challenging Diploma Programme assessment is recognized by the world's leading universities. They maintain high standards by actively training and supporting teachers, and by authorizing and evaluating IB World Schools.
• They encourage international-mindedness in IB students. They believe that students must first develop an understanding of their own cultural and national identity. All IB students learn a second language and the skills to live and work with others internationally—essential for life in the 21st century.
• They encourage a positive attitude to learning by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, and to learn how to learn. They encourage community service because of a belief that there is more to learning than academic studies alone.
• They ensure that our programmes are accessible to students in a wide variety of schools—national, international, public and private—in 131 countries. These IB World Schools form a worldwide community in which there is no such thing as a “typical” school (more than 50% of IB students are in state-funded schools). IB World Schools cooperate in curriculum development, student assessment and the governance of the IB, making this a unique international collaboration.