Diploma Programme (DP)

Dar es Salaam International Academy (DIA) is an authorised school for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. (IBDP)

IB World Schools share a common philosophy - a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering a challenging, high quality of programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.

DIA offers the IBDP from Grades 11 – 12 for students ranging in age of 16 – 19 years old. The programme prepares students for higher education and is aimed to develop students physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.

Students studying the DP must study at least two languages, excel in traditional subject areas, as well as explore the nature of knowledge and community and service, through core subjects like Theory of Knowledge and gaining Creativity, Activity and Service hours throughout the two years of the programme.

The IBDP is preceded by the Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme (both which are offered at DIA). The three programmes are philosophically aligned, each centred on developing the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

"The Diploma Programme (DP) is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities, and evidence suggests that higher rates of DP students go on to university and higher education study than non-IB students." (www.ibo.org)

The IBDP organizes teaching and learning through six subject groups as well as the DP core. Students must choose a course to study from within each group; these can be studied at either higher or standard levels.

For most courses, students take written exams towards the end of the DP. Students also must complete coursework, which is externally assessed as well as complete the mandatory requirements of the core DP areas.

Assessment within the programme measures the extent to which students have mastered academic skills. In addition to academic skills, the assessments encourage an international outlook and intercultural skills where appropriate. The IBDP uses both internal and external assessment to monitor student achievement.

The curriculum is made up of DP core and six (6) subject groups. The three core elements are:

- Theory of Knowledge - in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know)

- The Extended Essay – an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000 word paper

- Creativity, Activity, Service – students complete a project related to the three concept

The six subject groups are:

- Studies in Language and Literature (Group 1)

- Language Acquisition (Group 2)

- Individuals & Societies (Group 3)

- Sciences (Group 4)

- Mathematics (Group 5)

- The arts (Group 6)

The subjects offered at DIA within these groups are:

- Language and Literature, and Literature (Group 1)

- French and Spanish Ab Initio (Group 2)

- Geography and Business Management (Group 3)

- Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Group 4)

- Math Higher Level, Math Standard Level and Math Studies (Group 5)

- Visual Arts and Theatre Arts (Group 6)

Students must choose courses from each study group, however a student may opt for an additional course in Groups 1, 3 or 4 and opt out of an Arts course.

Students will take some courses at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). These courses differ in scope, but are measured using the same grade descriptors. Each student must take at least 3 HL and 3 SL courses.

SL courses take up to 150 teaching hours. HL courses comprise of 240 teaching hours.