What’s IB like in Poland?

Did you know that IB can differ a bit depending on the country? 

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an internationally recognized 2-year high school program focusing on a multi-range of subjects. While generally it is quite a common curriculum, that’s not the case in Poland. The IBDP is offered at only 60 schools throughout the country, whereas in the US the number is 16 times higher (IBO).

The preparatory programs, the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), are consequently offered at fourteen and twenty schools respectively (IBO). Subsequently, the subject choices are usually slim compared to all that IB offers, usually limited to the most traditionally chosen ones. However, for the purpose of this reference, I’m going to focus on my personal experience, with my school being located in the very heart of Poland, Warsaw.

For some reference, here’s the subject selection offered at my school

Group 1: Polish A SL/HL, English Language & Literature SL/HL

Group 2: English B HL, Polish B SL/HL, French SL/HL, Spanish SL/HL, German SL/HL

Group 3: Geography SL/HL, History SL/HL, Economics SL/HL, Psychology SL/HL, Philosophy SL/HL

Group 4: Biology SL/HL, Chemistry SL/HL, Physics SL/HL, Computer Science SL/HL, Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) SL

Group 5: Mathematics Analysis & Interpretations SL/HL, Mathematics Analysis & Approaches SL/H

Group 6: None offered. The student has to choose another subject from Groups 2-5.

University Entry

In Poland, in order to get into a college, the student needs to get a certain amount of points. The score is calculated based on the score the student received from their final exams called “matura”, written at the end of their senior year. There is no set conversion system from IB scores to university entry points, as it depends on the college the student wants to attend. However, it is commonly known that the conversion is usually relatively favorable towards the IB student, as the IB exams are perceived as more challenging in comparison to the Polish matura. 

Schedules

The Polish school year is divided into two terms: September through February and March through June. However, in Year 2 of the IBDP, students usually end their school year two weeks before the May IB exams so that they have some extra time for revision. The majority of students take their exams in May; however, in some instances, they are allowed to split their exams between the spring and fall sessions. 

When it comes to hours spent at school, the majority of IB students spend at least 8 hours daily at their schools whereas, in comparison, a regular Polish high school student will spend only 6. Despite such long hours, students usually have to complete CAS and other required projects on their own time.

IB vs. The Polish High School Curriculum

Of the 60 IB Schools in Poland, only about 35% are public, making it highly competitive just to get in. The main aspect that makes the IBDP curriculum much more attractive to Polish students is the amount of subjects they have to take. Even though IB students spend a bit more time at their schools, that is not the case with the subject load. A typical Polish student will have to take 14 subjects every year and at the same time take at least two of them at the higher level. After four years, every high school student takes an exam which consists of an equivalent of Polish SL, Math SL, English SL, and usually the extra two or three subjects they take at an “HL” level. 

Thus, even though other IB academically will be much more challenging than the Polish curriculum, it will, in turn, allow the students to focus much more on the subjects of their choosing. In addition, the subject selection in the IBDP is much more future practical. For example, the closest thing to Economics you will find in the Polish curriculum is Geography or a subject called Wiedza o społeczeństwie (Polish: Knowledge About Society).

In general, IB isn’t necessarily a widespread curriculum in Poland. However, at the few schools where it is accessible, it is really a hit or miss regarding subject selection or teaching methods. Although this might sound a bit grim, the one great thing about the IBDP is that it has a global standard, and it is really up to the students if they will succeed. All the necessary materials are usually easily accessible, and the one unique thing about IB students in Poland is that they really do help each other out.

Summary

In summary, my personal experience with IB so far, in general, has been relatively positive despite minor challenges. After further discussing the topic with my friends, we all came to a single conclusion: ultimately, there is only one IB curriculum, and it comes down to how the school itself will approach both the curriculum and the students. It is up to the school staff to create a safe learning environment and teach the subjects, so if you have both at yours, then IB shouldn’t be that much of a challenge.

---

You may also like…

• Albert’s take on 4 Myths About the IB Diploma Program
• IB: Rumor vs. Reality by Sophia