History of the International Baccalaureate
Since its foundation, the International Baccalaureate has challenged students to excel in their studies, encouraging both personal and academic achievement across the world. Southbank’s London based IB school is at the forefront of this.
Early Years
Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme was established as a progressive non-profit educational foundation which aimed to instill children with the necessary skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.
Influenced by the teachings of key educationalists John Dewey, A.S. Neill, Jean Piaget and Jerome Bruner the IB quickly grew to prominence throughout Europe, with the first official Diploma Programme exams taken by students in 1970.
It’s legacy having spread to North America by 1975, the IB continued its rapid expansion, opening regional offices in Buenos Aires, London and Singapore shortly after in 1982.
By 1994, the IB had expanded enough to introduce its Middle Years Programme for students between the ages of 11 and 16, adding the Primary Years Programme which hosts children from age 3 to 11 just three years later in 1997. In 2012 the Career-related Programme for students between the ages 16 to 19 was introduced.
The IB Today
Today, the IB works with over 4000 schools in 148 countries to develop and offer four challenging programmes to well over a million students aged 3 to 19 years.
With a hard-earned reputation for high standards of teaching, innovative leadership and student engagement, the IB plays a central role in the development of children around the world.
Today, the IB represents far more than its educational programmes and certificates. With many IB World Schools across the globe and representatives in three Global Centre’s, the IB has gained renown for encouraging inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people. The overall aim being to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
History of the IB: Timeline
Take a look at our timeline that depicts the key events in the History of the International Baccalaureate.
1968
Founding of the IB in Geneva (25th October)
1968
English and French IB Official Language
1968
Diploma Programs
1970
First Official Exams – 11 IB World Schools
1977
Heads Standing Conference
1983
Spanish IB Official Language
1994
Middle Years Programme
1996
Mission Statement
1997
Primary Years Programme
1998
1000 World Schools
2004
2000 World IB Schools
2004
DP Online Courses
2007
3000 IB World Schools
2009
100,000 DP Exam Candidates
2010
4000 IB World Schools