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1080 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC, V3J 0M6| Phone: 604-939-9201| Contact Us
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)
Learning for a Lifetime
International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate

IB Information Nights at PMSS are November 28th and 29th, 2023 at 7:00 pm.

Applications will be open on November 28th until December 14, 2023, at 4:00 pm.

IB intake assessment for September 2024 is on Saturday, January 20, 2024.  

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program has been adopted as a district program to ensure that all highly motivated and talented secondary students in School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) have equal access to the opportunities provided through this internationally renowned program. This is a district-wide program that offers a coordinated curriculum from grade 9 through grade 12. The IB program includes challenging experiences in a wide range of academic courses, and encourages students to begin connecting themselves to the world at large.  

The IB is offered as an integral part of the broad educational program at Port Moody Secondary. A high degree of flexibility is built into the program to ensure that students have the opportunity to individually make choices and selections that provide maximum personal benefits.

IB is recognized throughout North America as equivalent to many first year university courses. Students with high achievement in their IB subject exams at the end of grade 12 will generally receive university credit for their efforts.

For Grades 9 and 10:
The Pre-Diploma program offerings include Art, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science and 4 Modern Language options (French, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish). Each Pre-Diploma Course will include the material required for the BC Ministry of Education curriculum, but because of the selected nature of the students, the learning environment will be distinctly different, and more emphasis will be placed on higher level skills including analysis, research, writing, problem-solving and working in cooperative groups. The grades in IB Diploma and Pre-Diploma Courses are adjusted to reflect the achievement levels required for BC curriculum courses. Prospective I.B. diploma students will be expected to complete the entire set of pre-diploma courses to prepare for their grade 11 and 12 years.

IB for Grades 11 and 12:
Each IB course will encompass all requirements of the same subject BC Curriculum course. The enriched learning environment will provide the opportunity for much more in-depth study with a continued emphasis on higher level skills.

IB Diploma Program
Most students will complete the entire IB Diploma. This requires IB classes from a range of academic areas, as well as the IB Core Courses. Academic subjects include: English Literature, one language acquisition course (French, Spanish, Japanese or Mandarin as a second language), one individuals and societies course (Economics, Geography or History), one experimental science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics), one of the three Mathematics courses and one other subject (any one from the previous list or Visual Arts). The IB Core involves the Theory of Knowledge course, the Extended Essay (an independent 4000 word research essay), as well as a commitment to creative, active and service endeavors (CAS Program) to be completed throughout grades 11 and 12. Some students do not complete the entire diploma program, and request to take only some of the IB Academic classes.  This is only possible if there is space in the course after the diploma program students are registered, and if it fits with the student's other class schedules.

Registering For the IB Program
You should make yourself familiar with the IB program by exploring the information available online at www.ibo.org and on the Port Moody Secondary website. You can attend an information session at Port Moody Secondary in the fall of your grade 8 year to decide if the Port Moody Secondary IB program is right for you.  Students will then need to complete an application form (with references) prior to the stated deadline, and attend the IB intake day in January to participate in academic and collaborative assessments.  For more information contact the IB coordinator at Port Moody Secondary:

Sean Lenihan
slenihan@sd43.bc.ca
Port Moody Secondary School
300 Albert St.
Port Moody, BC V3H 2M5
Phone: 604-939-6656  ​

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

1080 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam BC
V3J 0M6
604-939-9201 604-939-7828