ᐅ International Baccalaureate (IB) & IBDP ᐅ Blue Valley IB School

Leading IB School in San Rafael de Escazú, San José

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)

Grades 11 & 12

As a certified IB World School in San José, Costa Rica, for over twenty years, Blue Valley School (BVS) boasts a longstanding legacy of academic excellence in delivering the globally recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), preparing students for university and global success. Our IB school in Escazú, San José, offers a robust bilingual IB program in English and Spanish, ensuring proficiency in both languages for all students, including international learners.

The overarching goal of Blue Valley's IB Diploma Program is to nurture well-rounded individuals with excellent academic abilities and real-life skills. By providing comprehensive support, emphasizing top performance, and offering access to outstanding facilities and extracurricular opportunities, we ensure that every student can flourish and reach their fullest potential, paving the way for a lifetime of achievement.

Benefits of Studying the IBDP

The IB Diploma is recognized worldwide as a gold-standard curriculum for the final two years of secondary education and is accepted by top universities globally. It emphasizes a comprehensive approach to education, fostering an international perspective, entrepreneurial mindset, and intercultural understanding.

Universities highly value the IB program for its rigorous academic standards and well-rounded education, often seeing IBDP graduates as exceptionally well-prepared for higher education. IB students typically outperform peers from other programs and achieve superior results at university. The IB program's focus on time management, organization, and academic excellence equips students with essential skills for lifelong success, enhancing their chances of admission to prestigious universities and coveted companies later on.

Why Choose Our IB Diploma Program in San Rafael de Escazú, San José?

At our IB school in San Rafael de Escazú, San José, we pride ourselves on offering a distinctive educational experience. Our IB class sizes are intentionally small, allowing for highly personalized instruction tailored to each student's unique learning style, yielding excellent results. We ensure that every student receives the resources and support needed to thrive during the program and beyond.

To accommodate diverse family needs, we offer two exam dates, ensuring seamless integration into universities with different academic calendars. Additionally, students have access to IB course content even if they choose not to take the exams, allowing them to obtain specific IB certificates to enhance their US and Costa Rican diplomas.

Excellent IB Outcomes

Our IBDP students in San José receive comprehensive support before starting the program, including assistance from expert tutors and university counselors to help them choose the IB subjects that best align with their academic profiles and career goals. Throughout the program, our highly qualified, IB-certified teachers deliver engaging lessons and provide personalized guidance to ensure each student's success. As a result, Blue Valley learners consistently achieve remarkable scores on IBDP exams, including scores above 40, average scores surpassing the global average, and a 100% pass rate. All our IB graduates secure acceptance to their first-choice university in Costa Rica and abroad.

Unlimited University & Career Possibilities

By choosing the IB pathway at our school, our students obtain both the Costa Rican national high school diploma and the prestigious IB Diploma, opening doors to the most prestigious universities worldwide, including Ivy League and Russell Group institutions, as well as top universities in Spain and Europe. They go on to excel in various fields, including founding and leading EdTech, startup, and luxury brand companies, becoming CEOs of esteemed companies, lawyers, doctors, software engineers, and renowned academics at universities like Caltech.

Colegios con Bachillerato Internacional en San Jose

IB Diploma Curriculum

The IB curriculum covers a wide range of subjects within six subject groups, including languages, sciences, humanities, mathematics, and the arts, providing a well-rounded education and fostering a deep understanding of various disciplines alongside analytical and problem-solving skills. Our personalized approach offers ongoing counseling and collaboration with parents to meet individual needs and maximize student success.

We differentiate ourselves by offering both English and Spanish A Language and Literature courses as mandatory, treating these languages with the same level of importance and rigor. This approach empowers our students to become truly bilingual.

The IBDP program also features an extended essay component, allowing students to conduct independent research and develop critical analysis and writing skills, preparing them for university-level study. We have highly qualified Extended Essay advisors in both languages to ensure students can achieve the best possible results.

IBDP Subjects

Our IB program in Escazú offers a diverse array of subjects at both standard and higher levels, and students must study 6 subjects out of the following groups (three at standard level and three and higher level):

Group 1. English: Language and Literature

Group 2. Spanish: Literature

Group 3. Psychology, Business and Management; Economics

Group 4. Biology, Physics & Chemistry

Group 5. Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations; Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches

Group 6. Visual Arts

Escazu Colegios IB con Programa de Diploma

Benefits of studying these subjects

English and Spanish (mandatory): Our bilingual IB diploma program enhances language proficiency, communication skills, and cultural understanding, preparing students to excel globally.

Economics: Explores economic systems and decision-making processes. Students can choose this subject instead of Visual Arts.

Psychology and Business & Management: Offers insights into human behavior, critical thinking, effective communication, and leadership, preparing learners for diverse career paths.

Biology, Physics, Chemistry: Establishes a robust foundation in the sciences and scientific inquiry, catering to students interested in STEM careers.

Math Options - Applications and Interpretations: Applies mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios, fostering problem-solving skills. Analysis and Approaches: Cultivates advanced mathematical thinking for future scientific or mathematical pursuits.

Visual Arts: Nurtures creativity, self-expression, and artistic techniques, fostering a well-rounded education and preparing for future study and career paths in the arts.

San Rafael de Escazu Colegios con Bachillerato Internacional

Core Elements of the IBDP

The IB program includes three core elements which students must complete to obtain a Diploma:

Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Encourages students to reflect on the nature of knowledge and how it is acquired.
The Extended Essay (EE): Introduces independent research, requiring students to produce a self-directed research paper on a topic of personal interest.
Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS): Involves experiential learning through extracurricular activities, including community service and sports.

Learn More About the International Baccalaureate

IB Assessment & Grades

At the end of this two-year program, IBDP students take written exams in each of their chosen subjects, which are marked by external IB examiners. At our IB school in Escazú, San José, students can enroll in either Semester A or B, allowing them to take IB exams in May or November, the two official examination periods set by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Subjects are graded on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest), with a maximum possible score of 45 points. The Diploma is awarded to students who achieve at least 24 points, provided they meet minimum performance levels across the program and satisfactorily complete the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirements. Results from the Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay contribute up to three additional points to the diploma's total score. Assessments are based on international criteria, ensuring that student performance is measured against established learning goals for each subject.

Costa Rican Diploma VS IB Diploma

Both the Costa Rican Diploma and the IBDP offer significant benefits, and the choice depends on the student’s goals and whether they plan to pursue higher education locally or internationally. The Costa Rican Diploma, awarded in 11th Grade at our school, provides a solid foundation for early entry into higher education in Costa Rica.

The IBDP, awarded in 12th Grade, offers a comprehensive, internationally recognized curriculum and qualification that prepares students to excel globally. The IBDP emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and global perspectives, enhancing college and scholarship opportunities both domestically and internationally and positioning students for success in prestigious universities worldwide.

IB students at our school obtain both diplomas when choosing the IBDP pathway.

IB Teachers

Our IBDP teachers hold specialized IB certifications and stay up to date with the latest developments in the IB program. All are highly qualified and experienced, continuously engaging in professional development to ensure exceptional instruction. Many of our teachers are international educators, bringing diverse cultural insights that enrich the learning experience for all students.

Learn more about our outstanding IB Diploma program in Escazú, San José, and discover how it can guide your child toward their dream university and career path in Costa Rica or abroad.

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IB: International Baccalaureate