At NIS, it is an exciting time for students (and parents!) when it is their time to consider the last two years of their education. Two years seems like an eternity but in reality, the time will zip by and decisions about their future beyond the walls of NIS need to be considered carefully as early as the fall semester of Grade 10. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, the Diploma Program (DP) represents more than a rigorous academic challenge—it is the culmination of a learning journey that begins the moment a student steps onto campus, no matter if they have been at NIS from their early years or if they have just arrived.
NIS offers students a choice of three options: a pathway pursuing just the traditional NIS diploma, a pathway adding DP certificates in certain subjects, or a dual pathway of obtaining both the NIS diploma and the IB Diploma. This flexibility ensures that every student can tailor their academic pathway to match their ambitions, interests, and capabilities. But what truly sets students up for success in their last two years starts with the foundation the school builds throughout their years at NIS and the support teams put in place to help students reach their highest potential.
From their earliest years at NIS, students are immersed in an inquiry-based approach to learning. Rooted in the Primary Years Program (PYP), this approach encourages students to question the world around them, explore their curiosities, and develop a deeper understanding of how to learn. Through thoughtfully designed Units of Inquiry, teachers guide students in uncovering answers and making connections across disciplines, nurturing critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills.
This foundation is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about cultivating the skills and mindsets that underpin lifelong learning. By the time students transition into Middle School and the Middle Years Program (MYP), they are equipped to take on increasingly complex challenges with confidence and curiosity. Students can build on their PYP experiences and begin to hone the skills they will need for the DP. The MYP emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, global perspectives, and the development of key competencies such as research, time management, and self-reflection—all of which are critical for success in the DP.
One of the most pivotal milestones in the MYP is the Grade 10 Personal Project. This capstone project challenges students to explore a topic of personal interest, conduct in-depth research, and create a meaningful product or outcome. Along the way, they practice managing a long-term project, documenting their process, and presenting their findings to an audience. These experiences mirror the skills they will use in the DP—particularly in completing their Extended Essay and Internal Assessments—and provide a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their growth as learners.
Of course, not every student chooses the DP pathway. NIS provides extensive support to ensure a smooth transition for all students including individual counseling, and tailored academic advice from a team of caring educators including college counselors, IB coordinators, homeroom teachers, Student Services, and the Well-Being team, all under the caring guidance of the Secondary Principal.
Starting in the middle of Grade 10, the MYP and DP coordinators, along with the Secondary Principal, host an information session for all Grade 10 students and their families. This session helps students understand their options, providing a detailed overview of the DP, including the difference between Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) courses, as well as the requirements for earning the IB Diploma or individual subject certificates. Parents and guardians are expected to join in this meeting with their children. After all, NIS includes them as part of the student’s support system.
Homeroom teachers also play a crucial role in guiding students through crafting their academic schedules. Regardless of the chosen pathway, students receive personalized advice to match their strengths, interests, and long-term goals. Importantly, there is flexibility for students to adjust their choices as they progress, allowing them to thrive on a path that works best for them.
Even before students finalize their academic schedules, they begin receiving university guidance from NIS’s two dedicated counselors. These counselors help students identify potential universities around the globe, explore career interests, and give them information about the step-by-step process of entering university. As early as Gr. 9, students have opportunities to meet with university and college recruiters who visit NIS and on occasion, even enjoy a campus visit, as our Gr. 10 students recently did on a trip to Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.
Once they are into their high school journey, they will be responsible for all the research and gathering what they need to complete their applications but the counselors are there to guide and support students with the knowledge they have honed over the multiple years of mentoring other students through the process of finding a school that is a good fit. Needless to say, their open-door approach allows students and families to feel supported in this important task and ensures that every student is prepared for their next steps beyond NIS.
Once students enter the IBDP, they are guided by a well-structured framework to balance the program’s academic rigor with personal growth and well-being. The core components of the program—the Extended Essay (EE), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) projects, and Theory of Knowledge (TOK)—are supported through dedicated homeroom time and meetings with supervisors and coordinators. These sessions provide students with the time and resources to complete their requirements while receiving continuous feedback and encouragement.
Teachers and homeroom teachers are also there to assist students with their academic classes, understanding that adjustments in their schedule of Higher Level (HL) and (SL) Standard Level might be necessary. HL classes meet more frequently and cover subjects in greater depth, while SL classes provide a broader overview with fewer instructional hours. The selection and combination of these will determine the cumulative tests students will sit for at the end of their Gr. 12 year and it is important to determine whether the combination of these classes is best suited for the students’ goals. Students struggling with any learning challenges have the Student Services team to help them with strategies to overcome difficulties in the mechanics of their academic learning. This team has several skilled teachers and interns to help with a variety of learning differences and is another key piece of the overall support system in place at NIS.
But it has to be said…the IBDP is the culmination of years spent in an educational system that prioritizes self-inquiry, independent learning, and developing the responsibility and time management skills it takes to independently research and present projects. Students are the drivers of what they get out of the DP and their eventual assessments on the core components and examinations. The NIS support system is there to guide, advise, and teach the value of self-care through the process.
Even students who choose not to pursue the full IB Diploma are required to complete a Senior Project, ensuring they engage in meaningful, reflective work that prepares them for life after high school. High school diploma pathway students take the same classes as their DP peers, with the key difference being the depth of coverage. Mike Chartier, Extended Essay Coordinator points out something unique about NIS…
“I think our high school diploma is relatively well done [compared to] a number of IB schools I’ve worked at. We have the Senior Project that is quite well developed and is not dissimilar to the Extended Essay. But it gives them more options and more flexibility to do a meaningful project that could help them with what they want to do after NIS.”
Perhaps one of the unique features of the NIS IBDP/High School Diploma support team is the Well-Being department. The well-being curriculum for the Gr. 11 and 12 students is specifically geared towards physical and mental health education in these last two years, helping students to take care of themselves during the often stressful ups and downs of their final two years and giving them the skills they need to navigate possible difficulties once out on their own. This could be anything from a guest lecturer on the importance of macro- and micro-nutrients in their diet to getting them away from their computers to run around the sports field in fun, stress-relieving games. This team also consists of school counselors, the school nurse, and homeroom teachers, who are at the frontline of assessing the needs of their students.
At its core, the IBDP at NIS is not just about earning the additional IB diploma; it is about preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of life beyond high school. The journey begins in the early years, as students learn how to question, explore, and reflect, and continues through Middle School, where they develop the skills and confidence to tackle complex challenges. For students joining NIS in their final years, the school provides a supportive, inclusive environment to ensure they can excel.
“We take the team approach to support our students.” points out Chartier. “There are plenty of opportunities for students to meet individually with university counselors or counselors for emotional or academic support. Teachers go over study strategies with them and we can target help as needed. We really try to get to know our students. When teachers notice someone may not be as 'genki' (a Japanese word that reflects physical or emotional well-being), they step in and try to support them.”
By the time they reach Grade 11, NIS students are ready to embrace the rigor of the IBDP, supported by a community that believes in their potential and is committed to their success. Regardless of their chosen pathway, through this holistic, inquiry-driven approach to education, NIS ensures that every student graduates with the skills, knowledge, and character to thrive in an ever-changing world.