International Baccalaureate
Lycée Français de Chicago is a candidate school* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Lycée Français de Chicago believes is important for our students.
In grade 9 and 10, we offer a rigorous curriculum whose goal is to prepare students to undertake the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The Lycée is currently in the Candidacy phase. The Diploma Programme is a rigorous, high school honors curriculum renowned for its excellence and relevance. The two-year program spans 11th and 12th grade. It offers students a highly academic, culturally diverse and personally fulfilling education – one that prepares them to be accepted into top colleges and universities and to compete in a fast-changing, global age.
Founded in Geneva in 1968 as a non-profit foundation, the International Baccalaureate currently works with 3,286 schools in 141 countries to develop and offer three challenging programs to over 958,000 students from 3 to 19 years old.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme curriculum
The IBDP curriculum requires students to study six subjects, three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. Within the structured framework there is flexibility to accommodate student interests and individual talents.
Six study courses include:
The Arts: Visual and Performing Arts. In lieu of an arts course, students can substitute another elective from the first five study courses.
In addition to their course of study, students complete the following:
Extended Essay: Students gain research and writing skills required for college work.
Theory of Knowledge: Students learn to ask questions, think critically and analyze information.
Why choose the Lycée Français de Chicago?
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Our wealth of experience and our professionalism in administering the French National Baccalaureate exam (an externally judged examination similar to the IB), is demonstrated by the high success rates of our students on the French Bac. This "
savoir-faire" will be invaluable in establishing another program.
- At the Lycée, the low teacher to student ratio allows us to meet the individual needs of students through differentiated instruction. This is a student-centered approach that ensures each student achieves academic success and acquires a lifelong passion for learning.
- At the Lycée, students prepare and take their examinations in a truly international environment, since more than 35 nationalities are represented in our student body and amongst our faculty.
- The French as a Second Language program at the Lycée is like no other, with a significant French student body and the many opportunities to use the language outside of the classroom. Motivated students can become fluent by the end of grade 12.
- All IB students at the Lycée would pass the full diploma (6 courses) in order to maximize the benefits of the IB Diploma Programme. The benefits to the student are more than simply the knowledge acquired in each subject, but also the inter-disciplinary connections across courses.
- The Lycée has created an environment where our values of respect, responsibility and joy of learning flourish within the student community.
Benefits for your child
- The stakes are higher than ever for young people entering high school. Technology, world commerce and cultural exchanges are creating a new dynamic that impacts the future of citizens across the world. Today, many education experts recommend the IB over other high school honors programs for students who want to succeed professionally and personally on a global scale.
- The International Baccalaureate develops skills that are crucial to becoming an active member of society in the 21st century. The Diploma Programme encourages students to adopt a positive attitude to learning by encouraging them to think critically, to develop independent research skills, and to acquire the essentials tolls for autonomous learning.
- The Diploma Program provides excellent preparation for college: for example, the extended essay (a 4,000-word paper based on a research project chosen by the student) is a great introduction to the types of projects required of students in college.
- Students with an International Baccalaureate diploma are accepted at top colleges and universities in the US and throughout the world, many of which award course credit for the IB.
For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact:
Sébastien Tourlouse, IB Diploma Coordinator designate: 773-665-0066
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.