International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme

The IB is a not for profit foundation, motivated by its mission to create a better world through education. The programme was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968 and as of June 2016 has grown to include 3000 World Schools offering the Diploma Program. The Program “offers a curriculum that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected”. It is designed for motivated students between the ages of 16 and 19 and promotes “healthy relationships, ethical responsibility and personal challenge". The Program helps students to develop “the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success”.

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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.

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IB at Dr. G.W. Williams S.S.

In York Region we traditionally invited students to apply to our Program in the autumn of their Grade 8 year. (Please see the Application and Admissions section for details). Successful applicants participate in an enriched course of study during Grade 9 and 10, and begin the IB Diploma Program in their Grade 11 year. Students in our IB Program earn both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Please note that we are a full Diploma Program and do not offer Subject Certificates.​​​​​​

Registration

The York Region District School Board IB Programme application is completed centrally for all York Region IB Schools through the EDSBY platform. The central application is for offerings at Alexander Mackenzie High School, Bayview Secondary School, Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, Maple High School and Milliken Mills High School. 

During the application process, the YRDSB IB School serving your home address will be identified. Regrettably, we are not able to consider applicants who live outside of our IB boundaries. Please use the YRDSB school locator​ to identify the IB school in your catchment area.

​Please be sure to complete the application during the application window. We are not able to accept late applications.