Mulgrave School has just celebrated its first year offering the full IB Diploma Programme.  Out of a graduating class of 51 Grade 12 students, no fewer than 45 presented themselves as Diploma candidates and wrote the full range of IB examinations in May 2008.  All but eight candidates scored 24 points or more (out of a maximum of 45), thereby justifying their engagement in this challenging and rewarding opportunity. (24 points are usually needed for the award of an IB Diploma.)

The Class of 2008 were the Mulgrave IB Diploma pioneers; but unlike many other IB schools who only select the best students to write IB examinations, we allowed all our Grade 11 and 12 students to participate as they chose. Their results, as a consequence, were both encouraging and realistically reflected the high standards demanded by the IB examiners.  For most of our students, the IB Diploma is not needed for them to achieve their higher educational goals and we are pleased to report that almost all our graduates have found places at universities and colleges of their choosing.  At this time, we do know that two or three of this class will be taking a "gap year," but all intend and are now qualified to go on to tertiary studies. 

By the end of June, our 51 graduates had received almost 200 offers of acceptance from universities across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Netherlands.  In addition, they were offered almost $300,000 in scholarships.  As a result of their IB grades in specific courses, several students are choosing to take advantage of transfer credits that are now available to them from their respective universities.

When they return in late August, the teachers will be reviewing their experiences from this past year with the IB at Mulgrave.  The fact that the average mark for Mulgrave Diploma candidates was 4.69 per subject (where the maximum possible is 7), and that one third of the Diploma candidates received a score of 30 points or more, shows that our students have the capacity to achieve real success in this programme.  Moreover, they all also have earned their BC Dogwood Diploma, meaning that their IB results are in most cases supplementary to their basic needs for university entrance.

Participation in the 2008 IB exams was not limited to the Grade 12 students only, but a large number of Grade 11 students also opted to take part.  Thirty-two of the Grade 11 students wrote their IB Economics exams in May and their results were outstanding.  The students attained grades from “4” to “7”, with seven students achieving a “7”, and 18 students achieving a “6”.  These Grade 11 students certainly have made a solid start towards meeting the requirements for the IB Diploma.

Although of great significance to students and their families, it is important to remember that, fundamentally, the IB programme is not about grades and university acceptances.  Irrespective of whether all our students complete their diploma, they will all have participated in the most relevant curriculum available to any student today.  We are looking forward to the continued growth and progress of all our IB students, be it in the Primary Years, Middle Years or Diploma Programmes.

Tony Macoun
24th July, 2008.