IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
About the IB Diploma Programme
Welcome to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme at Global Darussalam Academy. We are a candidate school for the IB Diploma Programme, a decision that reflects our deep commitment to providing a world-class education. The IB Diploma is a challenging and transformative two-year programme that prepares students not just for university, but for a life of purpose and global citizenship.
The IB is more than a curriculum; it is a philosophy that encourages students to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners. It challenges students to think critically, communicate with confidence, and pursue their passions, all while developing a profound sense of intercultural understanding and respect. At GDA, we believe in a holistic education that balances academic rigor with personal growth. By offering the IB Diploma Programme, we are empowering our students to become principled leaders who are ready to make a positive impact in the world.
Global Darussalam Academy is a Candidate School* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that GDA believes is important for our students.
The IB Mission Statement
The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Global Darussalam Academy’s vision and mission are deeply aligned with the core values of the International Baccalaureate. The IB’s mission to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people is directly supported by our commitment to fostering true learners who are compassionate and caring.
Our mission to cultivate a spirit of leadership with global competitiveness and develop the ability for scientific, critical, creative, communicative, and collaborative thinking directly reflects the IB’s goal of encouraging students to become active, lifelong learners. Our school’s emphasis on integrity, noble character and fostering a fair, tolerant attitude further reinforces the IB’s focus on intercultural understanding, respect, and helping to create a more peaceful world.
The IB Learner Profile
The IB Learner Profile is a cornerstone of an IB education. It represents a set of attributes that are developed throughout a student’s journey, reflecting the IB’s mission to create a better and more peaceful world. At Global Darussalam Academy, we believe in nurturing these qualities in our students to prepare them for a future of global citizenship and lifelong learning.
The 10 Attributes
- Inquirers: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We love learning and sustain this love throughout our lives.
- Knowledgeable: We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
- Thinkers: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
- Communicators: We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.
- Principled: We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
- Open-minded: We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
- Caring: We show empathy, compassion, and respect. We have a commitment to service and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
- Risk-takers: We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
- Balanced: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
- Reflective: We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
Why Choose the IB Diploma Programme?
The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is more than just a curriculum; it is a globally recognized pathway to success at top universities and beyond. At Global Darussalam Academy, we offer the DP because we believe it’s the single best way to prepare students for a future that demands critical thinking, creativity, and compassion.
What sets the IB apart is its holistic approach. It’s a rigorous program that doesn’t just focus on what to learn, but how to learn. Our students don’t just memorize facts; they become critical thinkers, confident communicators, and principled leaders. This is the IB advantage—the ability to apply knowledge, collaborate across cultures, and solve complex problems in a way that truly matters.
DP Course Offerings
The IB Diploma Programme requires students to select six subjects. At Global Darussalam Academy, we offer subjects from Groups 1 through 5. Instead of selecting a subject from Group 6, students are encouraged to choose a second subject from Groups 3 or 4, allowing them to further specialize in an area of interest. Students must choose three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
- Bahasa Indonesia A: Literature (SL/HL)
- English A: Language and Literature (SL/HL)
Group 2: Language Acquisition
- English B (SL/HL)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
- History (SL/HL)
- Economics (SL/HL)
Group 4: Sciences
- Physics (SL/HL)
- Chemistry (SL/HL)
- Biology (SL/HL)
Group 5: Mathematics
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL/HL)
- Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (SL/HL)
The DP Core: Preparing Students for the Real World
The DP is unique for its three core components, which are designed to complement academic subjects and give students a competitive edge in university and life.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)TOK is a course that challenges students to reflect on the nature of knowledge itself. It encourages them to ask questions like, “How do we know what we know?” and “Is all knowledge equally valid?” This deep exploration of different areas of knowledge—from the sciences and arts to history and ethics—develops an advanced level of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
Extended Essay (EE)The EE is an independent, 4,000-word research paper on a topic of the student’s choice. Guided by a faculty supervisor, students conduct in-depth research, formulate a clear argument, and present their findings in an academic format. This component gives students hands-on experience with university-level research, writing, and citation, preparing them for the academic demands of higher education.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)CAS is an experiential learning component that encourages students to get involved in a range of projects outside of their academic studies. Through projects in Creativity (exploring the arts and creative thinking), Activity (engaging in physical challenges), and Service (participating in community work), students develop empathy, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive impact on their local and global communities.
Policies
Our policies are designed to ensure transparency and uphold the highest standards of academic integrity.
- Academic Integrity Policy: This policy outlines our school’s commitment to academic honesty, defining what constitutes academic misconduct and explaining the consequences.
- Assessment Policy: This document details our school’s philosophy on assessment, including both internal and external components, ensuring clarity for students and parents.
- Language Policy: Our language policy supports students’ mother tongues and encourages the acquisition of additional languages, reflecting the IB’s commitment to multilingualism.
- Inclusion/Special Education Needs Policy: This policy details how we provide equitable access and support for students with diverse learning needs.
Programme of Study: This guide provides an outline of the two-year DP timeline, including key deadlines, course details, and assessment components.