Abu Dhabi International (Pvt.) School (AIS) was first certified to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in 2005, with its MBZ branch being licensed since 2015. AIS’ program implementation is of excellent quality and the school has consistently attained outstanding results. Student pass rate has always been close to or at 100% and student attainment across all subjects has been generally above the world average. AIS students have consistently been placed in top universities across the world.
The AIS mission statement is aligned with that of IB, and emphasizes the holistic education of the student with focus on personal development, active citizenship and lifelong learning. The IB learner profile is central to the program, and is associated with ten attributes students strive to embody. In addition, much focus is placed on approaches to both teaching and learning, and the value of learning as an essential and integral part of their everyday lives. The extended essay, theory of knowledge, and CAS (creativity, activity, service) form the IB core and promote critical thinking, research, and experiential learning.
AIS offers a variety of IB subjects and has expanded its course offerings over the years. The current courses offered include English A and Arabic A, English, Arabic, French B, Arabic Ab Initio and French Ab Initio, history, psychology, economics, business and management, physics, chemistry, biology, environmental systems and societies, mathematics, mathematical studies, visual arts and film.
The IBDP is a rigorous university preparation program and it is endearing to see it expand in the UAE. However, in order to make IBDP more accessible to students, a few issues need to be addressed between the IBO and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge that can work in favor of more students attempting the IBDP.
