International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Program was established in Europe in 1968 as a means of providing a world-class education recognized throughout the world. As of November 2023, the I.B. program is offered in 5,700 primary, middle, and high schools in 160 countries. Rigorous and with high standards, the I.B. program is designed to promote international awareness and understanding, tolerance, and compassion, making I.B. students responsible citizens and leaders. I.B. students become engaged critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

The D.B.H.S. I.B. Program offers students ALL of the following:

1) Academic Rigor – Students learn how to comprehend, analyze, and reach thoughtful conclusions on complex issues, literary works, scientific experimentation, and the fundamental acquisition of knowledge. Middle Years Program (MYP) students (9^th & 10^th grade) learn foundational skills in preparation for the college level work they will be doing as Diploma Program (DP) candidates (11^th and 12^th grade). Diploma candidates are required to submit an independent research essay of approximately 4,000 words.  This college-level, extended essay is written with the limited guidance of a qualified instructor and prepares students for this kind of assessment in college.

2) Comprehensiveness – Students encounter rigor throughout all disciplines. They determine their own areas of strength, and developmentally improve areas of weakness, which prepares them the ANY college major.  Critical thinking is at the core of what we do in IB, and students can do this in classes with peers sharing common ambitions.  The IB Theory of Knowledge course required of all 11^th and 12^th grade students examines the meaning of knowledge and emphasizes the coherence of the curriculum.  Students explore the relationships between various disciplines and critically reflect on the nature of the knowledge they have gained in and outside the classroom.

3) Internationalism – The program encourages students to think as lobal citizens with a shared, common humanity.  Our curriculum is based on international standards. Coursework and exams are graded by an international team of examiners.  Through instruction and activities, we encourage students to think about how improving themselves improves society and the world.  To this end, students are asked to conduct and reflect on a series of creative, active (physical), and service-oriented activities in order to practice life balance in their daily lives. See the CAS Handbook for more details.

4) Support – We have highly skilled and credentialed instructors with specialized IB training.  We also have 2 dedicated school counselors, one for MYP students and one for DP students, as well as a BRACE advisor to guide students and parents through the college admission and scholarship application process.  DBHS offers social emotional wellness and support services through our “Beach House,” a facility on campus dedicated to supporting the social emotional needs of our students and staff.

5) Opportunities – Students receiving the IB Diploma automatically qualify for the highest level of Bright Futures Scholarship. Florida universities value IB students and offer up to 30 semester hours of credit for students earning the IB diploma, so many students begin their college experiences as sophomores.  And as a DBHS graduate, students may apply for the Butler Scholarship, which entitles students to money towards their college education.  Many of our IB students receive awards of $1400-2,000+ dollars, depending on the year.

*For more on the Benefits of an IB education, check out this website.