Beyond Years 7 and 8

Mixed Langauge International Baccalaureate (IB)

DSM plans to offer the Mixed Language IB / Gemischtsprachiges IB (GIB) program in German and English in Years 11 and 12 in the future. This international program echoes DSM’s approach of nurturing students’ curiosity, with a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving. The globally recognised IB gives students access to more tertiary opportunities, including university courses in German. To prepare Year 11 and 12 students, DSM will further develop its middle years' secondary program to complement IB subjects and focus areas. IB students study 6 subjects and receive a score out of 45. They also receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). A score of 24 (the passing score for IB) equates to an ATAR of around 69.

What is the Mixed Language International Baccalaureate (IB)?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a paid international school qualification offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in Geneva. It features globally standardized curricula and externally assessed final exams. It's recognized in most countries as a qualification for university admission. In Germany, the IB is acknowledged as a general university entrance qualification under the conditions set by the Kultusminister Konferenz (KMK, the German government body responsible for education) ("Agreement on the Recognition of the International Baccalaureate Diploma/Diplôme du Baccalauréat International").

Currently, there are 30 German Schools Abroad which offer the GIB as a leaving certificate.

High German Component

The Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureate (GIB) is an IB program with a significant emphasis on the German language. It qualifies students for university admission in many countries, including Germany. 

In Year 11 and 12, students must complete six subjects. In addition to German, History, and at least one of the two subjects, Biology or Chemistry, must be taught in the German language. Another language and Mathematics are compulsory. The sixth subject can be chosen freely by the students.

Additional Components of GIB

Apart from the traditional subjects, the subjects Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) represent distinctive extensions of the curriculum in the GIB.

TOK is a subject with an interdisciplinary approach. The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of how knowledge is generated through various methods and perspectives. This is intended to promote critical thinking.

The goal of the CAS subject is to guide students towards a creative, active and socially engaged lifestyle. Students are encouraged to participate in various community projects independently. CAS is not attended like a regular subject, but rather the related activities are to be planned and executed by the students themselves. They are supervised by a specially trained 'CAS Coordinator'.

The so-called Extended Essay forms another characteristic element in the GIB with the goal of nurturing inquisitive, knowledgeable, socially committed and independent young individuals.

Optimal Preparation for University

The final exams, which usually span over two weeks, take place in May for German Overseas Schools in the Northern Hemisphere and in November for schools in the Southern Hemisphere. All exam tasks are provided centrally by the IBO and distributed to the schools. Student performances are evaluated externally.

The strongly university-oriented teaching methods, self-conducted scientific investigations as well as the Extended Essay aim to prepare students for university studies in the best possible way.

The following diagram visualises the IB program: 

Source: www.ibo.org