International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme
The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers four highly respected programmes that develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world
IB Students at University
Research shows that IB students are more likely than their peers to succeed in higher education and IB enjoys a high level of respect among the world’s higher education institutions.
Prem IB Programmes
We are authorized to offer all four IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, the Diploma Programme and the Career-related Programme.
Powerful Outcomes
A common thread that emerged from participant life stories was that the IB has the potential to powerfully shape the lives of students who participate in its programmes.
The Value of IB Education
As Assistant Dean of Admission at Stanford University, Debra Von Bargen has firsthand experience working with many IB graduates. As her son began the IB Diploma Programme, she saw him do things he never thought he could do. In her role as the Assistant Dean of Admissions, she knows that IB students show very high success rates during their first year of university.
About IB Education
Why the IB is Different
Students at International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools:
- Are encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
- Take part in an education that can lead to some of the highest ranking universities around the world
- Become more culturally aware, through development of a second language
- Are able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.
Academic Performance
IB World School students develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. They are also likely to perform well academically – often better than students on other programmes.
There is more information about the performance of IB students on the IB programme pages. For example, students on the IB Diploma Programme (DP) are likely to enroll at top universities, and students on the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) outperform other students in a number of areas. The IBO is also a reflective and responsive organisation that continues to innovate, an example being the Careers-Related Programme ( CP) for students in Grade 11/12.
Learning to Learn
Students are able to take responsibility for their learning and understand how knowledge is constructed. They are encouraged to try different approaches and take responsibility for their own progress. IB students:
- Ask challenging questions
- Think critically
- Develop research skills proven to help them in higher education
IB programmes also encourage students to be active in their communities and to take their learning beyond academic study.
Continuum of Four Programmes
We provide a continuum of education, consisting of four programmes that are united by the IB’s philosophy and approaches to learning and teaching. The programmes encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development.
Research in IB Education
Key Findings
Whether conducted in collaboration with the IB or independently, research generally suggests that an IB education has a positive impact on schools, students and teachers.Global key findings [33 KB]
Studies in Asia-Pacific [143 KB]
Key findings: programme specific
- Primary Years Programme [33 KB]
- Middle Years Programme [373 KB]
- Diploma Programme [336 KB]
- Diploma Programme core [711 KB]
Programme Impact
Programme impact studies investigate the impact of International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes on teachers, schools and students.
- Studies on the Primary Years Programme (PYP)
- Studies on the Middle Years Programme (MYP)
- Studies on the Diploma Programme (DP)
- Studies on the Career-related Programme (CP)
- Studies examining more than one IB programme
The studies aim to improve education. By examining the qualities and characteristics of schools, students and teachers, programme impact research helps both the IB and external organizations better understand the value of an IB education.
Programme Development
In order to make improvements, the International Baccalaureate (IB) conducts programme development research. These studies support the review of curricula across the IB’s programmes, improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning, and explore initiatives, strategies and challenges encountered by schools, students and teachers.
The studies discuss a range of topics, including international mindedness, student wellbeing, transdisciplinarity, and language policies. These studies are published in a range of formats, in order to approach the question of programme development and the review of curricula.
Programme Development Research Areas
- Fostering curriculum implementation, by exploring and analyzing educational innovation and initiatives, strategies, challenges and lessons learned through enhancing the implementation of the IB’s four programmes in diverse school contexts and developing timely resources for the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
- Supporting the continuum of the programmes, by investigating theory and practice of curriculum alignment and articulation to support learning continuum between and across the four programmes.
- Responding proactively to potentials of and challenges for students in the 21st century, by examining initiatives in cultivating international-mindedness and how it relates to students’ development towards holistic individuals, lifelong learners, and global citizens.
- Building research capacity for curriculum development, by providing research training to sustain research competences and thus rigorous educational research throughout the continuous curriculum development process of the four programmes.
What is an IB Education?
To find out more about IB education, the four programmes and how they are articulated follow the link HERE.
About IB Programmes
Continuum of Four Programmes
We provide a continuum of education, consisting of four programmes that are united by the IB’s philosophy and approaches to learning and teaching. The programmes encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development.
Primary Years Programme (PYP)
The learning journey begins in the Early Years (ages three to six). The name ‘Early Years’ refers to these first few years of life and reflects our aim to have purposeful practice based on current research.
The journey continues through Grades 1-5 (ages six to eleven). Students learn to respect each other as they participate in many collaborative learning experiences.
From planning service learning activities to creating a class mosaic in class, Junior School students are challenged to collaborate and to learn from each other.
Instruction is in English, and English language support is provided as needed. Students learn about and explore literacy, math, science, so cial studies, and personal and social skills with their homeroom teachers. Working with the classroom teachers, a talented group of specialist teachers provide learning experiences in music, art, physical education and Thai.
Technology is used and taught throughout the day as relevant and shared laptops are available for students.Prem’s unique 100-acre campus offers a unique learning environment.
Learning extends beyond the classroom walls to the organic farm, cooking school, bamboo forests and pond.
Middle Years Programme (MYP)
Curriculum
- An international curriculum drawing on current pedagogy
- Subject groups linked by conceptual understandings and areas of interaction
- Progression of skills development including both subject specific and approaches to learning skills
Faculty
- Many subject specialists
- Many teachers with specialized MYP training, including trained workshop leaders and moderators
Facilities
- Well-equipped drama, music and visual arts rooms
- A commitment to Mac computer technology and the development of design technology suite with specialised tools
- Spacious science laboratories and the opportunity to take learning outside to access our rich environmental learning opportunities
- Physical Education with multiple sports fields and an Olympic-sized swimming pool
Offerings
- Two levels of mathematics
- English and Thai offered from beginners to first language levels
- Academic English Programme (AEP) students are phased into the MYP in a structured and supported manner
- French, Mandarin, and Korean at a variety of levels to support emerging learners and to extend our top students
- Health as a dedicated component of our physical education programme
- Days Out and week-long camps to take learning out of the school setting
Diploma Programme (DP)
We are one of just a few four-programme and 200 three-programme IB schools in the world. The PYP and MYP are for three to sixteen year old students. We believe it is important this continues for our sixteen to nineteen year olds.
The full IB Diploma Programme
In addition to the three core elements of Theory of Knowledge (ToK), an extended essay and creativity, action, service (CAS), students take six subjects. Three must be at the higher level (HL) with 240 hours of instruction and three subjects may be at standard level (SL) with 150 hours of instruction.
Subjects we typically offer:
- Group 1: English A Literature, English A Language & Literature, Thai A Language & Literature, Korean A Language & Literature, Self-Taught A Language & Literature
- Group 2: English B, French B, Mandarin ab initio, Spanish ab initio
- Group 3: Economics, Geography, History, Psychology, Business and Management, ITGS
- Group 4: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Societies & Systems, Physics
- Group 5: Maths HL, Maths SL, Maths Studies SL
- Group 6: Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Film
IB Diploma Programme courses
Students take a minimum of five standard level (SL) subjects plus CAS plus an approaches to learning course shared with the IBCP students.
To support those students who may transfer between IB schools, may be competitive athletes or may want subject combinations that we are unable to accommodate, we offer the full range of available Diploma Programme courses online.
With great support from our College / Career Counsellor students select the IB programme course and combination of subjects which both interests and challenges them as well as meeting college/university requirements. We are very proud of the variety of courses and colleges/universities around the world that our students gain entry to.
We are also very proud of our qualified and experienced diploma teachers, many of whom illustrate their commitment to their own learning as well as to the IB programmes by being IB subject examiners and workshop leaders.
Career Related Programme (CP)
The IBCP (formerly known as IBCC) is the fourth International Baccalaureate Programme and it is aimed at students entering the last two years of High School that have a particular career path in mind. The IBCP allows students to specialise and dedicate themselves to a career path that they know they want to pursue.
IBCP Curriculum Model
The IBCP encompasses some elements of the IB Diploma Programme (DP) within its structure. It also includes the IB’s educational philosophy and mission.
The IBCP has a taught component that comprises of the following:
- A minimum of two IBDP Courses (up to a maximum of four) at Standard Level or Higher Level
- A career-related study course
- A Personal and Professional Skills (PPS) course
- A Language Development course
The following aspects of the IBCP programme cover the independent learning component of the IBCP course.
- Reflective Project
- Service Learning
The IBCP at Prem
The IB Career-Related Programme at Prem offers two distinct programs: Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and Sustainability Management School Switzerland (SUMAS).
We have a partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and SUMAS which provides its courses as the Career-Related study over the two years of the IBCP programme.
Further information on IBCP is available here
Further information on SCAD is available here
Further information on SUMAS is available here
*Denotes classes are online and have an additional cost to students
Who should take the IBCP?
Students who know that they want to pursue a career in art or design, computers and Business and Finance are ideally suited to this educational pathway. Students applying to Universities will have a portfolio of their work and completed program certificates along with finishing the challenging demands of the IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses. The IBCP also allows a student to specialise to a degree that is not possible with the IBDP and concentrate on their chosen career.
IBCP Personnel at Prem
IBCP Coordinator – Lisa McSweeney
Service Learning Coordinator – Lisa McSweeney
College and Careers Counselor – Dawn Parry
Principal – Jeff Marquis
Support and Guidance
All of Prem’s counseling services and learning enhancement services are available to all our students.
Prem also has a Career and Counselor’s office that fully supports our students with applications to colleges and universities.
IB Courses Information
More information on our IBDP courses can be found here. All courses available to IBDP students are available to IBCP students. However, it is important that students take courses that will allow them to successfully pursue their career-related pathway, which may mean meeting requirements for college or university. It is therefore essential that course selection is discussed with the College and Career Counselor.
Further Information
Please contact Lisa McSweeney at cpc@ptis.ac.th for further details or any questions regarding the IBCP.