International Baccalaureate

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Zlatarski International School of Sofia is the first, most experienced and the largest International Baccalaureate World School in Bulgaria. Zlatarski is also the school with the highest IB results in the country. Zlatarski International School celebrates 20 years since the introduction of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 2023. The school was founded in 1995 as an English language secondary school, and in 2003 it became the first International Baccalaureate (IB) world school in Bulgaria. So far more than 800 of our students have successfully received their IB diplomas and certificates. Our students can receive both the Bulgarian Secondary Diploma as well as the IB Diploma. Our rigorous and stimulating learning environment and outstanding results in all IB subjects have allowed our graduates to gain placement in the world’s most selective universities and programmes.

More about the IB programme www.ibo.org

The International Baccalaureate programme  is internationally recognized as a prestigeous qualification by universities around the world. The IB Diploma does help students to gain places in some of the most selective universities.

Zlatarski School students have the opportunity to receive both diplomas simultaneously– the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the Bulgarian Diploma. Zlatarski School is the only school in Bulgaria, which allows the students to receive these two diplomas simultaneously.

Our experience in teaching the IB Diploma subjects helps students to do well in their exams and to achieve better results. Zlatarski School students are introduced to IB standards from their first day at school.

Zlatarski is a Secondary School. We concentrate all our energy in the development of our secondary curriculum. We apply all our knowledge, teaching experience and administrative management skills in the preparation of our students for successful university education in Bulgaria and abroad.

What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme? The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepare students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. Students are taught in the English language.

International Baccalaureate Оrganisation The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit educational foundation, motivated by its mission, focused on the student. The Diploma programmes helps develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Founded in 1968, we currently work with 3,235 schools in 141 countries to develop and offer three challenging programmes to over 932,000 students aged 3 to 19 years. More information: www.ibo.org

Choice of Subjects IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at higher level or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, social studies, experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be another subject from groups 1 to 5. In addition, the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding – the Extended essay, Theory of knowledge and Creative, activity, service.

In addition to the full IB Diploma, students at Zlatarski can also study towards separate IB certificates. 

Students at Zlatarski International School have the following options:

1. To choose the International Baccalaureate diploma programme in grades 11 and 12
2. To choose the International Baccalaureate diploma programme plus the Bulgarian national diploma programme and thus to receive 2 diplomas
   
3. To choose the Bulgarian national diploma programme and to sit for IB certificates, by choosing single subjects and sitting the relevant examinations.

The IB Diploma and University Acceptance Through the IB Diploma Programme, students gain rigorous and balanced academic preparation, an ability to draw on knowledge and understanding of various cultures and histories, and the experience of learning how to think critically and apply what they have learned in different contexts and across disciplines. The IB understands that success in higher education and beyond involves thinking critically and creatively. The IB Diploma Programme’s challenging curriculum educates students, developing the capacity for inquiry, research and problem-solving as well as essential skills for communication and collaboration.

IB Subjects Offered at Zlatarski International School of Sofia

To decide which three subjects they will do at Higher level and which three at Standard level, students should take into account their strong sides and their personal interests. Their plans for future university education should be noted, because in some cases universities require specific IB subjects and specific grades to be achieved. The final choice of subject levels is made towards the end of the first term of the 11th grade. This allows students and their parents some time to form a final decision after collecting information about university requirements and detailed study of the difference between HL and SL. The final choice should also take into account the references of the teachers in the different subjects.

Group 1: Language A – Bulgarian, English
Group 2: Language B, ab initio – English, German, Spanish
Group 3: Individuals and Societies – History, Economics, IT Digital Society
Group 4: Sciences – Biology, Physics, Chemistry
Group 5: Mathematics – Mathematics
Group 6: Electives – German or Spanish

In the DP, students receive grades ranging from 7 to 1, with 7 being highest. Students receive a grade for each DP course attempted. A student’s final Diploma result score is made up of the combined scores for each subject. The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance including successful completion of the three essential elements of the DP core. The theory of knowledge (TOK) and extended essay (EE) components are awarded individual grades and, collectively, can contribute up to 3 additional points towards the overall Diploma score. Creativity, Activity, Service – the remaining element in the DP core – does not contribute to the points total but authenticated participation is a requirement for the award of the diploma.

Three subjects are studied at High level (HL) and three at Standard level (SL). During the two years (11 and 12 grade) each subject, studied at High level covers 240 hours, whiles subjects studied at Standard levels cover 150 hours.

Three core elements of the IB Diploma are:

• The Extended essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying.
• Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).
• Creativity, activity, service requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately.

Marks in the Extended Essay and the TOK essay make up a total of 3 points. The maximum number of points is 45 (up to 7 in every subject plus 3 from the Extended Essay and TOK essay). To receive the IB Diploma students need a minimum of 24 points.