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Other foreign languages

In the first grade of high school we offer two foreign language courses: German and Spanish. From time to time, we organise German-learning-related projects with partner schools, we offer language learning trips to Germany, and occasionally Spanish learning is supported by students from Spain staying with us from time to time as part of the Erasmus programme.

In IB Diploma Programme we teach the mother tongues of our students and additionally one foreign language.

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Assessment

The assessment in each subject group is based on the determination of the level of student performance against the established criteria, and not on the ranking of students in a given group. External assessment includes a number of tasks emphasising higher-order cognitive thinking skills, and which may take the form of essays and test sets. Internal assessment carried out by the teachers and moderated by the IB, is part of the final assessment of the student.

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DP Subject Groups

Each IB Learner creates his or her curriculum profile to a large extent by themselves. Subject and level groups are formed taking into account the staffing and organizational capacity of the school.

The student’s task is to choose one subject from each of 5 groups, which ensures the breadth of knowledge and deep understanding of:

  • the student’s best language,
  • additional language(s),
  • the social sciences,
  • the experimental sciences
  • mathematics.

Each student can choose to study an additional subject from the groups 1-4.

Students must choose 3 subjects at Higher level and 3 subjects at Standard level. Language B subjects can be taken at AB initio level instead of Standard level.

Group 1 – Studies in language and literature

Students learn to appreciate the language and literature through the study of formal literary texts. At the IHSW we offer the following subjects in Group 1:

  • Polish A
  • English A
  • School supported self-taught language in mother tongue (only offered at standard level)

Group 2 – Language acquisition

Students gain the ability to communicate in a foreign language. In our high school we offer the following subject in Group 2:

  • English B (only offered at higher level)
  • French B
  • German B
  • Spanish B

Group 3 – Individuals and societies

Students develop a critical approach to the experience and human behaviour by studying the social sciences, such as economics, geography and history. In our school we offer the following subjects in Group 3:

  • Geography
  • History
  • Business Management
  • Environmental Systems and Societies* (only offered at standard level)
  • Psychology

Group 4 – Sciences

Students explore the concepts, theories and methods of physical and biological sciences, such as chemistry, physics and biology. We offer the following subjects in Group 4:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Environmental Systems and Societies (only offered at standard level)

Group 5 – Mathematics

Students increase their understanding of mathematics and its applications. At our school we offer the following subjects in this group:

  • Analysis and approaches course
  • Applications and interpretation course

Group 6 – Elective

In Group 6 students choose an additional subject from groups 1 to 4.

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English

Foreign language teaching at the International High School of Wroclaw is one of the most important item on our curriculum in accordance with the school’s Code of language and philosophy of IB. In the first form of our high school students have an increased number of hours of English and for one semester English classes are taught by a native speaker. Some classes in the first form are taught in English or bilingually, depending on the type of tasks and teaching content. English learning is organised in a way that prepares the students for learning in that language in the IB Diploma Programme.

In addition, learning English is supported by international projects , such as:

  • international educational and language learning projects
  • International Spring Concert
  • participation in the Model United Nations
  • international basketball team – the Wolves and international tournaments organised by it.

In the second and third forms, that is in the Diploma Programme, English becomes the language of instruction and, apart from the mother tongues, the language in which the students will pass the International Baccalaureate exams. English learning is supported by international school library with more than 10,000 volumes of literature from all over the world.

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What is an IB World School?

Our high school is certified as an IB World School. The school belongs to the ranks of over two thousand Diploma Programme schools in the world.

IB certified schools offer not only the highest level of educational programmes, but also highly trained staff and facilities considered optimal for the development of young people. These schools share a common philosophy of education, according to which the focus is always on the student as a creative individual. The programmes develop students’ ability to combine knowledge from different subjects in the context of real-world issues. IB World School graduates are people who not only have a wide range of knowledge, but they are also reflective, capable of critical thinking and prepared to continue their education in schools and universities around the world.

IB World School teachers are committed to continued self-development, to increasing their qualifications, to the use of online bookstores and libraries and to participating in international conferences and workshops organised by the IBO. Training courses are an opportunity to increase and consolidate the factual knowledge and they allow teachers to exchange experience with teachers from all over the world who are also implementing IB programmes.

Other schools run by the Foundation of International Education (ATUT Bilingual Primary School, ATUT Bilingual Secondary School and Wroclaw International School) have been IB World Schools for several years already.

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Programme structure

The Diploma Programme (DP) consists of learning in 6 subject groups, an Extended Essay of 4,000 words, learning through experience in the CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) programme and the theory of knowledge course which develops critical thinking.  The assessment in each subject group is based on the determination of the level of student performance against the established criteria, and not on the ranking of students in a given group. External assessment includes a number of tasks emphasizing higher-order cognitive thinking skills, and which may take the form of essays and test sets. Internal assessment carried out by the teachers and moderated by the IB, is part of the final assessment of the student.

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Why the IB Diploma?

Why the IB Diploma is ideal preparation for university?

  1. It increases academic opportunity
  2. IB Students care about more than just results
  3. It encourages you to become a confident and independent learner
  4. It’s an international qualification
  5. Graduates are globally minded
  6. The IB encourages critical thinking
  7. DP students have proven time management skills
  8. It assesses more than examination techniques\
  9. Subjects are not taught in isolation
  10. It encourages breadth and depth of learning

Letter from the DP Coordinator

Hello and welcome!

My name is Sean Dooley and I am the Diploma Programme coordinator for the International High School of Wroclaw, which is a certified IB World School. I’m very excited about helping our students to learn in the challenging and unique IB Diploma Programme that will prepare our students for success at university and beyond.

The Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year course of study consisting of six subject groups: literature, foreign languages, social sciences, experimental sciences, mathematics and the arts. Students choose a subject from groups 1-5 and may choose either an arts subject or another subject from groups 2-4. Students choose three of these subjects to study in depth.

In addition to their subject choices, students are required to participate in the core. The core is what really makes the DP unique. Students engage in a piece of formal research that equips them with the skills of scholarship that are so essential to success at university. Theory of knowledge is a course in critical thinking, which ties the curriculum together as students study how knowledge gained across subjects. And through the Creativity, action, service (CAS) programme, students participate in experiential learning through creative and physical activities and service to others. Taken together, the core and the breadth and depth offered by the student’s subject choices make the DP a unique and effective educational path to creating principled, lifelong learners with the skills, passion and knowledge to understand and shape the world.

With the IB authorization, the International High School of Wroclaw and the Foundation of International Education’s primary and middle schools become the only educational institution in Lower Silesia to offer a continuum of all three IB programmes. It is the place where our national and international students, teachers and families come together for the first time, a place where students can study Korean, Polish or English literature; learn how to speak German, Spanish, French, English or Polish; experiment with biology, chemistry or physics; study history, geography and mathematics.

If you have any questions or need further information please feel free to contact me.

Sean Dooley
Diploma Programme Coordinator
International High School of Wroclaw

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Modern technologies

In our schools we use the modern information technologies. A number of computers with Internet access and multimedia educational programmes are generally available for our students. Other tools for work with students, in addition to traditional computers are:

  • mobile multimedia tablets of the new generation
  • Mobile Computer Laboratories (cabinets with laptops and multimedia projectors to use in any classroom)
  • PCs with the newest software
  • stationary and portable multimedia projectors
  • cameras
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Teaching facilities

Our students learn in optimal environment / conditions – the maximum number of pupils per class is 20, which allows teachers to focus on the individual needs of their students.

WIS students take advantage of the following facilities:

  • modernly equipped science laboratories and classrooms
  • a theater with audiovisual facilities, lighting, stage and multimedia projector
  • a hudge sport hall and a two smaller sport hall for gymnastics, dance and yoga
  • cosy, functional classrooms
  • a modern, international library with the Multimedia Centre and a reading room
  • an Agora
  • a big canteen, where hot meals are supplied by catering and a school shop with healthy food
  • comfortable after school care rooms
  • wide, bright hallways with places to rest
  • a great sport court
  • fenced parkings for parents and staff