International Baccalaureate

The IB programme aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

Elmwood is accredited as an IB World School. We are the first girls' school in North America to be accredited at all three levels of the IB Programme:

Primary Years Programme (ages 3-12)

Focuses on the total growth of the developing child: social, physical, emotional, cultural and academic. The heart of the programme’s philosophy is a commitment to structured, purposeful inquiry as the leading vehicle for learning. Elmwood is one of 2 schools in Ottawa to offer this programme.

Middle Years Programme (ages 11-16)

A program of international education designed to help students develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills necessary to participate actively and responsibly in a changing world. Students learn their subjects through five areas of interaction: approaches to learning; community and service; homo faber; environment; and health and social education. Elmwood is one of 2 schools in Ottawa to offer this programme.

Click here to read about the MYP Personal Project.

Diploma Programme (ages 16-19; optional)

A challenging two-year curriculum. It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. The program prepares students for university and encourages them to: ask challenging questions; learn how to learn; develop a strong sense of identity and culture; develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures. Elmwood is one of 3 schools in Ottawa to offer this programme.

Why IB?

• Recognized around the world
• Increased adaptability and mobility for IB students
• Focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching
• Insistence on full exploration of home culture and language
• IB World Schools undergo exhaustive authorization process
• IB teachers participate in wide variety of professional development
• 1st year university classes can often be substituted for IB Diploma Programme classes

IB learners strive to be:

• Inquirers - They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
• Knowledgeable - They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
• Thinkers - They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
• Communicators - They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
• Principled - They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
• Open-minded - They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
• Caring - They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
• Risk-takers - They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
• Balanced - They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
• Reflective - They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.