Our BVS-IB Program has been developed in accordance with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program of international education offered to a worldwide community of schools. As required by the IB program, our BVS-IB program includes a curriculum and applies assessment procedures, which follow internationally recognized standards of education.
At Blue Valley we believe in character development and providing a learning environment that encourages individuals to express their views, grasp challenges enthusiastically and responsibly assume the inherent consequences of such freedom. Thus, it is our philosophy that any student that has the desire and formal commitment to embark upon the academic journey of going into the BVS-IB program has the opportunity to do so. It is this fundamental belief that sets apart the BVS-IB program from other IB world schools.
At Blue Valley we truly believe in our students and their future, we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.
Coordinator: Ms. Patricia PratsTelephone: (506) 2215-2204 ext. 120Fax: (506) 2215-2205Email:ibcoordinator@bluevalley.ed.crOverview
The BVS-IB Diploma Program is a challenging two-year program. Our students are authentically exposed to what is stated in our school’s mission statement and to the IB Learner Profile.
“To offer cutting-edge academic preparation and ensure that our students become individuals guided by a strong moral compass. A proper balance between the Humanities and the Sciences will support our academic goals, guided by the principle of a sound mind in a sound body. Blue Valley School models and teaches students to become architects of their destiny, wise decision makers, prudent risk takers, and active participants in local and global communities, safeguarding individual and collective rights and responsibilities inherent to a free society.
Blue Valley School (2013), Mission Statement, School Manual
The Diploma Program prepares the students for the demands that they will be faced with in the current globalized economy. High standing universities around the world recognize the rigors to which students are exposed and the level of excellence and ethical behavior required to be able to attain the credit.
At BVS, we continually invest in our staff of IB teachers by providing up-to-date training and the required resources that enable them to provide stimulating and challenging courses. Blue Valley offers two sessions during the course of the year. This allows students to take their exams in either May or November.
By the end of the two-year program (at the end of twelfth grade first semester) the BVS-IB student acquires the IB Diploma, having been able to obtain one semester earlier the Blue Valley High School Diploma and the “Bachillerato de Enseñanza Media” thus complying with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education requirements.
Curriculum
All IB World Schools must comply with the general six subject groups and core subjects.
Thus, as world schools, we are entitled to develop our own curriculum to meet the general needs of our students. For that reason our BVS-IB curriculum offers the following subjects.
| IB Diploma Program | BVS-IB Diploma Program |
| Group 1 & 2 | English HL & Spanish HL |
| Group 3 | Business and Management SL & Economics SL |
| Group 4 | Chemistry (SL & HL) & Physics (SL & HL) |
| Group 5 | Math Studies SL & Mathematics SL |
| Group 6 | Visual Arts (SL & HL |
SL = Standard Level HL = Higher Level
In addition to these subjects, the student must comply with the core that includes TOK (Theory of Knowledge), CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) and the Extended Essay.
Assessment
The assessment procedures applied by the BVS-IB Program strictly follow the policies and procedures developed by the IB organization. Therefore, each subject is evaluated through a series of internal and external assessments, which vary accordingly to the subject matter. External assessment exams are developed and provided by the IB organization. These are applied to students simultaneously around the world, timed and safely kept in order to protect their integrity.
BVS-IB Community
At BVS-IB we are a team composed of students, teachers and parents. All members are an integral part of the program, contributing and supporting each other. It is this relationship among the team members that enables the students to grow as balanced individuals, morally abiding, and tolerant of the differences that arise from an enriched and diverse environment.
Consequently, communication is a crucial element to maintain ties among the BVS-IB team members. For that matter, the BVS-IB Community has it’s own page in the Blue Valley Edmodo platform where everyone has access to the following information:
Subject Syllabus and Pacing
Weekly Plans
General news and event information
