The International Baccalaureate Diploma
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program was introduced for the first time in the 2004/5. The IB is a complete academic program for the last two years of High School. H.I.S is an IB-accredited “World School”, one of more than 2,500 schools around the world authorized to offer this program.

The IB Program was created in 1968.  It is a demanding pre-university course of study designed for highly motivated secondary school students aged 16 – 19. The program has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to leading universities around the world. With the IB, students will fulfill the requirements of their national or state education systems while equipping them with skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education, employment, and their future life as members of an increasingly global society.  Internationally mobile students are able to transfer from one IB school to another, while students who remain closer to home benefit from an internationally respected curriculum.

The Curriculum
IB subjects are studied for two years. The assessment of IB subjects includes course work as well as final exams. The IB syllabuses are designed to satisfy the requirements of many national education systems and are international in outlook. Students taking the full IB Diploma must choose a balanced program of academic subjects as well as co-curricular activities, described in more detail below. IB Diploma students must take one subject from each of the groups shown on the hexagon below. Of these six subjects at least three must be taken at a Higher Level (equivalent to A-level or AP standard) and three at a Standard Level. All IB Certificate subjects, whether taken at Higher or Standard Level are equivalent to study of that subject at first year college level in the United States.
All IB Diploma students study a two-year course called “Theory of Knowledge”, work to produce an “Extended Essay”, and engage in “Creativity, Action, and Service”. These three are described in more detail later in this brochure. Note that Community Service is a Harare International School graduation requirement as well as being a part of the IB’s “Creativity, Action, and Service”.

Assessment of the Diploma
All subjects carry coursework requirements; however, the majority of the course is assessed via examination at the end of the senior year. Both Higher and Standard subject papers are awarded a grade from 1(the lowest) to 7(the highest). There are therefore 42 points available from the six subjects. In addition to this, a further three bonus points can be earned if a student performs very well in the Theory of Knowledge paper and the Extended Essay in combination, giving a full total of 45 points.

In order to obtain a diploma a candidate must score a minimum of 24 points, and also pass most subjects at grade 3 or above. Candidates must also submit an Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge work which is at least elementary in standard. CAS requirements must be met. The full IB demands a balanced approach to study – neglect of any area of the curriculum will give a poor IB result and may possibly give rise to failure.

Experience shows that the majority of students, with diligence, will be successful in studying the IB Diploma or some IB Certificates. Students need to manage their time well to be successful with the course work requirements. They are helped in this respect by an internal calendar of IB deadlines. The IB Calendar for 2005-2006 follows this page.