What is International Baccalaureate (IB)?
What is International Baccalaureate (IB)?
The International Baccalaureate is a global educational program and community. Originally designed in the 1960s in Switzerland, IB is internationally recognized for its excellence, and today over 5,000 IB World Schools — including CREC International — use this rigorous, innovative curriculum.
The IB focuses on developing students’ critical thinking skills, fueling their creativity and curiosity, and strengthening their confidence and skills so that they can discover their passions and become the global leaders of tomorrow.
Unparalleled preparation for college and careers, with a global community behind you
Students graduate IB schools as well-rounded and worldly individuals, with strong academic track records that can open doors to whatever futures they choose.
The IB program has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities, and many prestigious schools grant credit, scholarships, and/or advanced standing for IB students.
An IB program “is the most secure foundation available for successful college graduation.” — Jonathan Burdick, Dean of College Admission, University of Rochester
There’s also a global IB alumni community that all CREC International graduates are encouraged to join. The alumni network fosters collaboration and connection for IB graduates all over the world, even long after they’ve graduated high school.
The IB is built on a core set of 10 characteristics
Like all IB schools, CREC International emphasizes developing these 10 core characteristics — the IB Learner Profile – within all students.
Reflective
Give thoughtful consideration to your own learning and experience. You are able to assess and understand your strengths and limitations in order to support your learning and personal development.
Knowledgeable
Explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, you acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Risk-takers
Approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. You are brave and articulate in defending your beliefs.
Inquirers
Have a natural curiosity and learn to acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. You actively enjoy learning and this love of learning.
Principled
Act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, group and communities. You take responsibility for your own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Communicators
Understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. You are willing to work in collaboration with others.
Thinkers
Exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Open-minded
Understand and appreciate your own culture and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. You seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and you are willing to grow from the experience.
Balanced
Understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for yourself and others.
Caring
Show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. You have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
CREC International’s IB Program
We’re one of only 10 high schools and three middle schools in Connecticut that offer the IB curriculum. And, as an IB World School for grades 6-12, we’re the only one in the state offering it for both middle and high schoolers.
Our IB curriculum incorporates the best practices developed across our global community of schools and researchers. All of our 6th – 10th graders participate in the IB Middle Years Programme and all 11th – 12th graders participate in the IB Diploma Programme.
We undergo a rigorous authorization process every 5 years, and our teachers must meet and maintain specialized professional development requirements.
We’re a diverse community, and our student–centered approach helps every student become empathetic, lifelong learners, each with a strong sense of purpose in this world.