Participation Options

Students may take the IB Core while enrolled in four or more IB courses across junior and senior year, or as part of the full IB Diploma Programme. The Core is a two-year experience integrated with your IB classes.

Credit Summary

2 years • 1 period daily • Weighted 5.0 high school credit each year. Diploma candidates who complete subjects and Core requirements are awarded the IB Diploma by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Eligibility & Enrollment

Open to juniors and seniors planning a four-or-more IB course load or pursuing the IB Diploma. Meet with your counselor and the IB Coordinator to align course selections, Core scheduling, and graduation requirements.

Who Should Participate

Students who enjoy connecting ideas across classes, engaging in service and leadership, pursuing independent research, and reflecting on how knowledge works. Ideal for learners who want a holistic, globally minded academic experience.

Things to Note

• TOK emphasizes inquiry, argumentation, and reflection on real-world knowledge questions.
• CAS involves sustained, meaningful experiences across creativity, activity, and service with regular reflection.
• EE is a 4,000-word, university-style research paper with a faculty supervisor.

IB Core Components (At a Glance)

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): A seminar on how knowledge is built and justified, culminating in a TOK exhibition and TOK essay.
• Creativity–Activity–Service (CAS): A multi-year portfolio demonstrating balance, initiative, and impact through arts, athletics/wellness, and service.
• Extended Essay (EE): Independent research and a 4,000-word paper on a question you choose, supported by a supervisor and reflection sessions.

IB Core Course

For the most up-to-date course information and descriptions, see the Academic Programs and Pathways resource.

Quick Links & Resources

• IBO Site: Studies in Art
• Benefits of IB
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Website
• Credit & Credential Options Overview — Overview of AP, IB, CCP, CTAG, and other credit opportunities in Dublin City Schools
• High School Scheduling Information

Future Pathways

The IB Core—Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE)—forms the heart of the IB Diploma experience. Through inquiry, reflection, and action, students develop the ability to think critically, research independently, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

After High School or 2-Year College

Students who complete the IB Core bring strong organization, reflection, and communication skills to college coursework. These experiences often guide them toward meaningful academic and professional pathways. Possible next steps include:

• Apply IB Core experiences to first-year seminars, service learning, or leadership programs.
• Use the Extended Essay as a foundation for undergraduate research or honors thesis projects.
• Leverage CAS experiences to demonstrate community engagement and leadership in scholarship or job applications.
• Continue interdisciplinary exploration in general education or liberal arts studies.

After 4-Year College or University

The habits of mind developed through the IB Core—questioning, analyzing, and reflecting—align closely with the expectations of higher education and professional life. Graduates often move into careers or advanced studies that value global awareness, ethics, and intellectual curiosity, including:

• Education, social innovation, and nonprofit leadership.
• Public policy, law, and international relations.
• Research, writing, and journalism.
• Business, marketing, and organizational development.

Career & Professional Readiness

The IB Core cultivates essential skills for success in any field. Students become adept at managing long-term projects, articulating complex ideas, and evaluating multiple perspectives. These experiences support readiness for:

• Leadership and communication roles in business, education, and public service.
• Research positions requiring analysis, synthesis, and presentation of ideas.
• Community engagement, social entrepreneurship, and advocacy work.

Entrepreneurship & Personal Growth

Through CAS and the Extended Essay, students learn initiative, reflection, and resilience. IB Core participants often:

• Launch community projects or small ventures inspired by CAS experiences.
• Apply research and creative thinking to real-world innovation and problem-solving.
• Continue personal growth through volunteering, mentoring, or civic engagement.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Student Experience

The IB program at Dublin City Schools provides students with a competitive advantage in our increasingly connected global economy. Built on a cohesive, multi-faceted approach that develops students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically, the IB Diploma is recognized worldwide for rigorous coursework and highly trained educators. Whether a student takes one IB course or pursues the full Diploma, every IB learning experience at Emerald Campus is aligned with global standards used in over 147 countries.

 

What Every IB Course Offers

Research & Outcomes

• IB students’ university acceptance rates are 22% higher than the general population.
• IB acceptance at Ivy League institutions averages 13% higher than overall rates.

What Universities Say

Alumni Perspectives