IB Program This Week

IB Diploma Program (IBDP) students meet on a regular basis to review IB policies and guidelines, to discuss upcoming work and deadlines, and to celebrate IB accomplishments.

At a recent Junior IBDP Meeting, students who submitted their CAS (25) Check on time were recognized as were students who submitted the 10-page Extended Essay (EE) draft on time. Finally, the “Rulers of IB Core” were identified! These students repeatedly met IB Core deadlines on time and even exceeded expectations with their work!

Check out the Photo Highlights to see the Junior IBDP Class of 2027 in action!

The EE is not a formal part of any subject course beyond these first five weeks in IB Core: Inquiry and is written independently. However, Carly Wassel (EE Coordinator) works closely with students to ensure that they have ample support throughout this process, including a clear infrastructure of steps and deadlines to ensure successful completion of this major research essay. In addition to Carly, students work closely with an EE Supervisor of their choice.

• The Extended Essay Revisions were due on Monday, April 27. Students who are behind with the process or who have been contacted by Carly Wassel (EE Coordinator) must respond immediately.

• The EE Final Check for Formatting and Academic Honesty is due by Friday, May 22.

Throughout the IB Core: Inquiry course, students were introduced to CAS requirements, which are fulfilled as a natural part of being a GS student. During that mod, students engaged in some CAS experiences and completed some initial CAS reflections, which confirmed and celebrated this “work” outside of the classroom. Students continue to work independently on this IB Core requirement throughout the year.

• All students have completed their DP1 CAS work for the year and have identified their CAS plans for the rest of the year and the summer. They are expected to continue engaging in CAS work though there are no more CAS reflections due this year. Students may bank up to 5 CAS reflections in advance for the first CAS Check of DP2.

At the beginning of the year in IB Core: Inquiry, students were introduced to the TOK requirement and engaged in some initial TOK thinking exercises. In the final terms, students take the first two mods of the IB TOK course where they begin their formal exploration of TOK concepts and work on their TOK Exhibitions.

The next required meeting, "Concluding DP1," is on Friday, May 22. All IBDP meetings are posted to students’ Canvas IB tiles and to the George School calendar.

Senior IBDP Student Jillian Yao (’26) developed an independent Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) Project. As she describes it, “For my CAS project, I reached out to local supermarkets in the area and filled out monetary donation request forms, which I used to purchase food and essential items at their stores. I also solicited a multi-hundred-dollar donation from Johnson & Johnson to further contribute to these efforts. These items were delivered to the HELP Center at United Way of Bucks County, a free store supplying food, clothing, and hygiene products to residents of Bucks County, to help stock their shelves. The HELP Center operates as a true retail store, allowing customers to shop in way that preserves dignity and independence. In addition to organizing donations, I stocked shelves, processed appointments, met 1-on-1 with individuals who came to the HELP Center seeking resources, and trained new volunteer groups.”

Jillian’s work demonstrates her principled and reflective approach in addressing CAS Learning Outcome #6: demonstrating engagement with issues of global significance—in this case, ways to support families in need. The 10 IB Learner Profile attributes are: inquirer, communicator, knowledgeable, thinker, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-taker, balanced, and reflective. These traits are encouraged and developed in all IB Diploma Program (IBDP) students throughout the program and, in fact, are aspirational qualities for all people!

Check out the Photo Highlights to see the Senior IBDP Class of 2026 in action!

All students have completed their essays and this work has been uploaded to IB.

Students must continue to complete and document their CAS work throughout the year. Adherence to deadlines, proper submission of reflections, and maintenance of their CAS portfolios is crucial.

• The FINAL CAS Check + CAS Project Confirmation was due on Wednesday, March 4. Students have a week to submit any revisions necessary. Any student with outstanding work or who has been contacted by Kim McGlynn (IB Coordinator) must respond immediately.

• Students must schedule a third and final CAS interaction to complete the CAS Portfolio Review due by Friday, May 22.

Students have completed their TOK Exhibitions and TOK Essays, and this work has been uploaded to IB.

The next required meeting, “Closing Senior IBDP Celebration,” is on Thursday, May 21. All IBDP meetings are posted to students’ Canvas IB tiles and to the George School calendar.