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The French American Academy is proud to be a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP) and is planning to apply for authorization to offer the IB Diploma Program (DP).
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who contribute to a more peaceful and understanding world through intercultural respect. To achieve this mission, the IB works with schools, governments, and organizations worldwide to design programs that inspire students to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand and appreciate differences.
What is the IB Program?
The International Baccalaureate was founded in 1968 with the IB Diploma Program (DP), created to provide students with a challenging and comprehensive education that crosses disciplinary, cultural, and national boundaries. Today, the IB program is informed by research of over 50 years and is offered in more than 150 countries, preparing students for a globalized world through academic rigor, cultural understanding, and responsible action.
An IB education is guided by four key principles:
- Centers on learners: nurturing curiosity, independence, and responsibility.
- Develops effective teaching and learning: using approaches proven by international research.
- Works within global contexts: helping students connect their learning to worldwide issues.
- Explores significant content: encouraging a deep understanding of important ideas and challenges.
The IB Middle Years Program (MYP) and Diploma Program (DP)
At The French American Academy, the IB journey begins with the Middle Years Program (MYP) in Grades 9 and 10, and the school plans to apply for authorization to offer the Diploma Program (DP) for Grades 11 and 12. As a bilingual program in French and English, it offers families a unique opportunity: students gain both the rigor of an IB education and the lifelong advantage of bilingualism, with no French required to enroll.
Highlights of the MYP at The French American Academy include:
- Project and Inquiry-based learning that connects knowledge across subjects.
- International perspectives that prepare students to think beyond borders.
- Personalized support in small classes, ensuring every student’s success.
- Bilingual French–English instruction, open to students of all backgrounds (no prior French required).
The Diploma Program (Grades 11–12) is a rigorous two-year curriculum recognized internationally for its academic excellence. Students study six subject areas, three at higher level (HL) and three at standard level (SL), alongside the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) experiences. Together, these components foster analytical thinking, research skills, and personal growth.
IB World Schools (the only schools authorized to offer IB programs) follow a rigorous accreditation process monitored by the IB, ensuring a high standard of education. The French American Academy teachers also engage in ongoing professional development with certified IB trainers, bringing the most current educational practices to our classrooms.
Credit Recognition and University Advantage
One of the greatest benefits of completing IB coursework, particularly at the DP level, is the opportunity for college credit and advanced placement at universities worldwide. Many U.S. and international institutions grant college credits, scholarships, or higher course placement for strong IB exam scores (typically 5 or higher).
This means that IB students can:
- Enter college with earned credits, potentially reducing the time and cost of completing a degree.
- Transfer credits internationally, as IB courses are recognized across more than 150 countries, ensuring academic continuity for families who relocate to Canada, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
- Stand out in college admissions, as the IB diploma is globally regarded as a mark of academic rigor, independence, and readiness for higher education.
By combining the bilingual foundation of The French American Academy with the academic prestige of the IB, our students graduate prepared to thrive at top universities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, and beyond. They not only speak two languages fluently but also think critically, act ethically, and engage confidently in a global society.
The Value of a Bilingual IB for French and Non-French Families
The bilingual IB program at the French American Academy is uniquely designed to support both French-speaking and English-speaking students.
- For French-speaking families: it offers a natural continuation of a bilingual education. Students also maintain and deepen their French. In 9th grade, students can also take the national diploma of brevet.
- For English-speaking families, it provides a welcoming entry into bilingual learning within the structured and supportive framework of the IB. Students not only acquire French but also benefit from the proven cognitive advantages of bilingualism, including stronger memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
By combining bilingual education with the academic rigor and global recognition of the IB, students become confident communicators in two languages and well-prepared for higher education anywhere in the world.
High Standards for IB Schools and Teachers
At the French American Academy, our teachers receive specialized training in IB teaching strategies and methodologies led by certified IB instructors. This professional development is a core expectation for all schools that implement the IB framework.
- To become an IB World School, schools must undergo a rigorous authorization process overseen by the International Baccalaureate, ensuring consistency and quality across all IB programs worldwide. The French American Academy’s high school is currently in this candidacy stage, actively working toward full authorization.
- IB teaching methods are research-driven and incorporate best practices from leading educational systems around the globe.
- Teachers participate in ongoing training to stay current with new ideas, strategies, and innovations in education.
IB Learner Profile
As the IB’s mission in action, the learner profile concisely describes the aspirations of a global community that shares the values underlying the IB’s educational philosophy. The IB learner profile describes the attributes and outcomes of education for international-mindedness.
As IB learners, our students strive . . .
- TO BE INQUIRERS: They nurture their natural curiosity, developing the skills necessary for inquiry and research. They know how to learn both independently and with others, and they sustain their love of learning throughout life.
- TO BE OPEN-MINDED: They appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, while also valuing the perspectives, values, and traditions of others. They seek out varied viewpoints and grow from those experiences.
- TO BE KNOWLEDGABLE: They explore concepts, ideas, and issues with both local and global significance. In doing so, they develop in-depth knowledge and a balanced understanding across a wide range of disciplines.
- TO BE CARING: They demonstrate empathy, compassion, and respect toward others. They show a commitment to service by taking action to make a positive difference in lives and communities.
- TO BE THINKERS: They apply critical and creative thinking skills to tackle complex problems and make reasoned, ethical decisions, often taking initiative.
- TO BE RISK TAKERS: They approach unfamiliar situations with courage and forethought, exploring new ideas and strategies independently and cooperatively. They are both resilient and resourceful when faced with challenges.
- TO BE COMMUNICATORS: They express themselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and through various modes of communication. They collaborate effectively, listening attentively to others’ perspectives.
- TO BE BALANCED: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance for their own well-being and that of others, recognizing their interdependence with people and the world.
- TO BE PRINCIPLED: They act with integrity and honesty, uphold a strong sense of fairness and justice, and show respect for the dignity and rights of all. They accept responsibility for their actions and understand their consequences.
- TO BE REFLECTIVE: They thoughtfully consider the world and their own experiences, striving to understand their strengths and weaknesses to support ongoing personal learning and development.
Students of IB (International Baccalaureate®) World Schools are at the heart of educational programs and they receive a unique education that:
- Encourages them to think independently and take charge of their own learning
- Encourages them to take charge of their learning by developing capacities of self-discipline and integrity
- Encourages them to think critically and solve complex problems
- Enables them to follow educational programs that open the doors to the most prestigious universities in the world.
- Makes them more sensitive to different cultures by acquiring a second and third language
- Allows them to dialogue with others, in an increasingly globalized and constantly evolving context
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Learner Profile describes a wide range of human skills and responsibilities that go beyond academic achievement. These qualities involve a commitment to helping all members of the school community learn to respect themselves, to respect others, and to respect the world around them.
