How to become an International Baccalaureate® World School
Schools wishing to offer any of the three IB programmes - the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme or the Diploma Programme - must be authorized by the IB.
The authorization process is the same for all schools and has been designed to support schools in:
- making the decision to become an IB World School
- understanding the nature and requirements of the IB programme
- defining their readiness to implement the programme
- planning to sustain the programme in the long term.
Schools will find this a challenging but rewarding process that normally takes 2-3 years to complete.
The IB has just completed a revision of its authorization process based on practices that have been developed across the IB world. The changes are aimed at making the processes simpler to understand, consistent over time and across the IB world and most importantly further enabling schools to have the support they need throughout their relationship with the IB.
The authorization process has a number of phases, each of which has distinctive objectives and is described below.
Click on the titles below for more information about each step in the process:
A school that wants to know more about the IB and its programmes is invited to complete the School information form in order to inform the IB of their interest and to request additional information.
Before starting the application process to become an IB World School, the school conducts a feasibility study in which it analyses the IB philosophy, programme structure and requirements, compares its findings with the situation of the school and defines what needs to be done in order to implement the programme. The head of school or designee participates in an IB workshop to become familiar with the IB programme and the authorization process. The school can contact the IB for support during this phase.
As a result the school will decide whether to start the process to become an IB World School.
Please note that the submission of the School information form:
- does not mean that the IB has agreed to collaborate with the school.
- gives no guarantee that candidate status or authorization will be granted.
Essential reading:
Before completing the form, acquaint yourself with the Guide to school authorization for the appropriate programme which gives further guidance for this stage of the process.
For more information, view the section on Guidance and regulations
Form the school completes:
School information form (external link)
If you are not able to access the online form, please contact the appropriate IB office
After completing the consideration phase, the school will decide whether to start the authorization process by requesting to become a candidate school.
The application form with the corresponding supporting documents must be submitted in order to formally apply for candidate status.
The Application for candidacy (or Application form part A) shows that the school has carried out a preliminary analysis of the programme and of the consequences of its implementation and that, as a result, plans have been developed reflecting the commitment of the school to make the necessary adjustments to become an IB World School.
Essential reading:
For more information, view the section on Guidance and regulations
Schools applying in 2010: The Guide to school application per programme provides further information
Schools applying from 2011: The Guide to school authorization per programme gives further information on the requirements for becoming a candidate school.
Fees:
For information about the IB fee structure, view the section on Fees and services
For fees applicable at this stage and beyond, view the appropriate regional page:
Form the school completes:
From January 2011 onwards, Application for candidacy is only available to be completed online.
Schools must liaise with the appropriate IB office to receive access to the site.
- IB Africa,Europe and Middle East: ibaem@ibo.org
- IB Americas: iba@ibo.org
- IB Asia Pacific: ibap@ibo.org
The following files are presented for information only and should not be submitted:
Application for candidacy: Primary Years Programme [394 KB, Word]
Application for candidacy: Middle Years Programme [477 KB, Word]
Application for candidacy: Diploma Programme [430 KB, Word]
Following acceptance of application for candidacy the school is recognized as an IB candidate school.
During this period the school will take the actions necessary to address the IB requirements for authorization. For PYP and MYP the school will start trial implementation of the programme that will last no less than one academic year. Special attention should be given to the implementation of the professional development plan as early as
possible to ensure that teachers will be duly trained in IB-recognized professional development activities.
All teachers will be given access to the IB online curriculum centre (OCC), a website where teachers can obtain IB publications and teaching materials and can participate in online forums on programme-related topics with their colleagues from IB World schools around the world.
The school will have the support of the IB through advice by the relevant IB office and IB approved consultants.
Request for authorization
In 2011 there will be a transition from the current authorization process to the new one. The school should consult the appropriate regional webpage or IB office for information as to which application process will apply.
Old application process
Essential reading:
School Guide to application for the appropriate programme
Programme standards and practices (from October 2005) [200 KB, PDF]
For more information, view the section on Guidance and regulations
Form the school completes:
Application form part B for the appropriate programme
Primary Years programme - Application form part B (application for authorization) [245 KB, Word]
Middle Years Programme - Application form part B (application for authorization) [245 KB, Word]
Diploma Programme - Application form part B (application for authorization) [245 KB, Word]
New application process
Essential reading:
Guide to school authorization for the appropriate programme
Programme standards and practices from January 2011 [209 KB, PDF]
For more information, view the section on Guidance and regulations
Form the school completes:
Application for authorization for the appropriate programme. This form will need to be completed and submitted online and will be available in an online format in 2011.
Primary Years programme - Application for authorization [413 KB, Word]
Middle Years Programme - Application for authorization [683 KB, Word]
Diploma Programme - Application for authorization [1,176 KB, Word]
Verification visit (or authorization visit in the old process) by an IB visiting team.
Upon acceptance of the Application for authorization (or Application form part B), a visit to the school will be carried out to verify the school’s claim that it has taken all the necessary actions and is prepared to become an IB World School.
The purpose of the visit is to ensure that the educational principles, standards and practices on which the IB programme is founded will be maintained and furthered.
The IB Director general makes the final decision in granting or denying authorization.
Authorized schools acquire the status of IB World School.
Following authorization, schools will go through an evaluation process that takes place on regular basis to ensure that the standards and practices of the programme are being maintained.
