International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate Program was established in Europe in 1968 to provide a world-class education recognized worldwide. As of August 2026, the I.B. program is offered in more than 6,200 I.B. World Schools across 160 countries. Rigorous and academically challenging, the I.B. program is designed to promote international awareness, understanding, tolerance, and compassion, helping students become responsible citizens and leaders. I.B. students develop into engaged critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

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

1) Academic Rigor – Students develop the skills to understand, analyze, and draw thoughtful conclusions about complex issues, literature, scientific inquiry, and the acquisition of knowledge. Middle Years Program (M.Y.P.) students in 9^th and 10^th grades build a strong foundation for the college-level work they will complete as Diploma Program (D.P.) candidates in 11^th and 12^th grades. Diploma candidates also complete an independent research essay of approximately 4,000 words. Written with limited guidance from a qualified instructor, this college-level extended essay prepares students for similar assignments in college.

2) Comprehensiveness – Students experience academic rigor across all disciplines. They identify their strengths and develop areas for growth, preparing them for any college major. Critical thinking is central to the I.B. experience, and students learn alongside peers with similar ambitions. The I.B. Theory of Knowledge course, required for all 11^th and 12^th grade students, explores the meaning of knowledge and the connections across the curriculum. Students examine relationships among disciplines and reflect critically on knowledge gained both inside and outside the classroom.

3) Internationalism – The program encourages students to think as global citizens who share a common humanity. Our curriculum follows international standards, and coursework and exams are evaluated by an international team of examiners. Through instruction and activities, students consider how personal growth can contribute to society and the world. They also participate in and reflect on creative, active (physical), and service-oriented experiences that promote balance in daily life. Please see our CAS Handbook for more details.

4) Support – Our highly skilled, credentialed instructors receive specialized I.B. training. Dedicated grade-level school counselors understand the specific needs of M.Y.P. and D.P. students, while a BRACE advisor guides students and parents through college admissions and scholarship applications. The I.B. Coordinator guides students and parents through the program curriculum by answering questions and connecting families with helpful resources. The I.B. Office provides a dedicated space where students can access counseling, support, and other resources. D.B.H.S. also provides social-emotional wellness and support services through our “Beach House,” an on-campus facility dedicated to the well-being of students and staff.

5) Opportunities – An I.B. Diploma is the gold standard in global education, so being an I.B. candidate assures colleges and universities that the applicant is a serious and successful student.  Our students are accepted to the best in-state and out-of-state institutions in the U.S. and abroad.  Students who earn the I.B. Diploma automatically qualify for the highest level of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, covering tuition and fees at Florida public universities and offsetting costs at other private colleges. Florida universities highly value I.B. achievement and offer up to 30 semester hours of credit to students who earn the I.B. Diploma. As a result, many I.B. graduates begin college with sophomore standing and may be able to complete a standard degree in three years. D.B.H.S. graduates may also apply for the Butler Scholarship, available exclusively to D.B.H.S. graduates, to help fund their college education. Many of our I.B. students receive awards ranging from $1,400 to more than $2,000, depending on the year.

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