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Orangeville/Dufferin and Erin International Baccalaureate Survey and Feasibility Study

The International Baccalaureate is a non-profit educational foundation that offers four programmes for students ages 3-19. In the Upper Grand District School Board, the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11 and 12) is offered at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.

In 2016, the Upper Grand District School Board directed staff to investigate establishing an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) in Dufferin County and/or the County of Wellington.  

In 2018, the Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) included a French Immersion/International Baccalaureate (FI/IB) Impact Assessment for Orangeville/Dufferin and Erin secondary schools.

As a first step, the Board needs to confirm interest in and the feasibility of establishing an IBDP in Orangeville/Dufferin or Erin. A survey is being conducted of school communities in Orangeville, Dufferin and Erin and is available online from March 28 – April 12, 2019. Survey results will be included in a report to be presented to Trustees in June 2019 and will be one of several factors in determining the potential for offering IB.

Important Note: If approved, the earliest the Grade 9 IB preparatory programme could start is the 2022/23 school year. Therefore the survey is primarily applicable to students in Grade 4 and lower.

Description of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP)

The IBDP is respected by leading universities across the globe. IB offers an education focuses on teaching students to think critically and independently, and how to inquire with care and logic.

The Diploma Programme is two years and covers Grade 11 and 12. In preparation, IB students enrol in Grade 9 and if accepted complete a Grade 9 and 10 preparatory programme. Students who successfully complete the DP will also attain their Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma (OSSD).

There is an application process to be accepted into the IB Programme and students must be academically capable and must have or must be working toward the following characteristics: