WSD International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme continues to meet demand

WSD’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is offered at École Secondaire Kelvin High School. The school is holding an open house on February 15 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., and the IB presentation is from 8:00 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.

“Many universities grant first-year standing for courses in which students have achieved a certain level on their IB courses,” said Melani Decelles, IB Coordinator at Kelvin High School. "This allows students to be well prepared with prior knowledge and possibly start into year two for some courses at post-secondary institutions."

IB graduates leave Kelvin well-prepared for post-secondary education with their IB coursework recognized by universities worldwide.

While IB is designed to be a two-year curriculum for the final two years of high school, Kelvin High School offers an IB preparatory year for Grade 10 students. A preparatory IB year aims to raise students’ entry-level skills and knowledge. 

The program offers its examinations at two levels – Higher and Standard. Students are encouraged to pursue the highest level of achievement within the programme, the IB Diploma. The diploma requires that students study six subjects, representing at least five subject areas, and write six examinations, three at the Higher Level and three at the Standard Level or four at the Higher Level and two at the Standard Level. In addition, diploma candidates must complete a major research project called the Extended Essay, participate in extra-curricular and social service activities known as CAS and complete a course called Theory of Knowledge (ToK).

As the only public school division in Manitoba offering IB in English, Kelvin has welcomed students from across Winnipeg for the current school year, and anticipates continued interest in the program. 

"These students will truly change the world and I'm proud to support their studies at Kelvin today and well into the future," said Tim Cox, Principal, Kelvin High School.

Families are encouraged to join Kelvin High School at their Open House. Grade 9 students who are interested in the IB programme at Kelvin High School are to submit their registration paperwork to the main office by the end of February.  They will then be invited to write the IB entrance test on March 15, 2024. Through schools of choice, students may apply to attend any school in the province. This means even if you do not live within the catchment area of the school, or division, you can still apply by filling out a schools of choice application form.

For more information about the IB Programme, contact Melani Decelles, IB Coordinator at mdecelles@wsd1.org, or call the school at 204-474-1492.