International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a broad, balanced and academically challenging educational programme. An IB Diploma indicates to a future university that a student is capable of managing the demands of undergraduate studies. IB students excel in Postgraduate university studies such is their academic success. This level of intellectual and personal development is unique in a secondary school curriculum. Rangitoto College is pleased to be one of 5,000 schools in 159 different countries to offer the International Baccalaureate Programme.

Students undertake Level 1 NCEA in Year 11 and must obtain mainly Merit or Excellence grades (or equivalent qualification overseas) before being offered a place in the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma programme.

The IB Diploma Programme is designed to be both academically challenging and holistically balanced. In addition to their six chosen subjects, students take IB CORE comprising of CAS (Creativity, Service, and Activity components to balance their academic strengths), an Extended Essay (a university style 4,000 word essay, self-directed research with supervisor guidance) and Theory of Knowledge (a critical thinking course) 

The skills needed to positively impact the future are not purely academic. The IB Programme aims to develop students who are inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective.

Students learn to work independently and collaboratively. They develop a wide range of skills and learn to critically evaluate their work, reflect on their progress and set goals.

The IB has a positive impact on students, schools and their wider communities with learning going well beyond the classroom. Its unique and innovative approach to learning means both students and teachers are genuinely engaged with the programs and benefit from being a part of an unparalleled global network.

Students are able to participate in international conferences and educators work with their peers internationally to ensure that the IB remains at the cutting edge of international education.