The International Baccalaureate

Diploma Programme
Michael Power St. Joseph
Education for a Challenging World

Our Mission
Finding Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
Michael Power St. Joseph High School and its IB programme, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the International
Baccalaureate Organization share a common belief that developing graduates of inquiring minds, tolerance, and respect is the best
way in which to create a better world.
 MPSJ Pre-IB
Students will be in congregated Pre-IB classes with like-minded peers. Students will be taught OSSD Academic curriculum
with stress placed on developing the skills necessary to ultimately succeed in the IB Diploma Programme.

The common objectives which run through these MPSJ

Pre-IB courses are as follows:

• To encourage students to solve problems, pose questions, explore

alternative explanations, and justify reasoning
• To develop proficiency in those particular skills for each course
necessary to complete successfully the Standard and /or Higher
Level IB Diploma courses
• To help students feel part of a learning community that
encourages meaningful discourse and promotes a love of learning
• To teach students basic skills in written and spoken language -
composition of essays in coherent form, research skills and the
efficient use of library resources

During the MPSJ Pre-IB years there will be an emphasis on

the following skills:
• How to work with original documents
(research)
• How to write effectively and
efficiently
• How to design and carry out
experiments
• How to discuss issues, not argue about
them
• How to make effective classroom
presentations
• How to avoid procrastination and
prioritize
• How to deal with perfectionism
• How to cite sources and avoid
academic malpractice
 IB Diploma Programme

Pathway 1
Arts/Business
Pathway 2
English, French, Math, History, Biology Physical Science/Business/Architecture
Electives: Economics, Geography, Music, Art English, French, Math, History, Chemistry, Physics

IB @ MPSJ

Pathway 3 Pathway 4
Health/Science/Biology/Business Arts/Humanities
English, French, Math, Biology, Chemistry English, French, Math Studies, Biology, History
Electives: Economics, Geography, History Electives: Economics, Geography, Music, Art

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an internationally acclaimed programme available in over 4000 schools.
The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year curriculum, primarily aimed at students’ aged 16 to 19. It leads to a
qualification that is widely recognized by the world's leading universities. As well as earning an IB Diploma, students also fulfill the
requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The aim of the IB Diploma is to provide students with the values and
opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgement, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community. The
Diploma Programme equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment.

The programme follows the traditional liberal arts curriculum where six academic subjects are studied concurrently. Students are
required to study both the humanities and the sciences together with the study of a second language. In addition to writing six
externally marked examinations, the student must complete the following three additional components of the Diploma Programme:
Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity Activity Service.

Give me goodness, discipline, and knowledge. The love of Christ has gathered us into one.
 The IB Advantage
“When people hear of
IB, they mostly dwell
on the academic
portion of it, but
really, there is so
much more. IB has
given me the chance to
express myself, meet
new people, and to
discover who I am in
this amazing
community.”
Orrin Dahanaggamaarachchi ~ 10
“IB made the
transition to high
school a lot easier for
me to handle. Being
in the pre-IB cohort
puts you in a tight
community where
everyone has each
other’s backs.”
Aaraby James ~ 11
“IB is an eye-opening
experience. It teaches
us the importance of
balance and
community.”
Zoriana Wankiewicz ~ 12
“The IB Programme not
only made me familiar
with an academically
challenging
environment, it also
introduced me to a
remarkable community
of students and
teachers.”
Peter Shadrin ~ Graduate of 2018
For more information about our IB Programme please contact Ms. Claudia Grilo ~ claudia.grilo@tcdsb.org
A Student-focused Approach
The IB Programme better prepares students for university
The average mark in their top 6 university application courses
for the class of 2017 at MPSJ was 90.5%
Theory of Knowledge concentrates on Critical, Logical, and
Problem Solving skills
In 10 of the last 11 years, an MPSJ IB student has been accepted
by Schulich Business or Rotman Business
Extended Essay prepares students for University level research
A study of American Universities indicates that 88.6% of students
who attempt the IB Programme complete four years of University
successfully as opposed to a completion rate of 51.3%
High Academic Standards
The IB curriculum maintains the highest international standard of
university preparatory education.
The university acceptance rate for MPSJ IB students over the
history of the programme is 99.2%
MPSJ IB graduates are studying in 6 provinces and 11 countries
Developing Independent Learners
The volume and advanced nature of IB subjects means that
students must learn to work independently, under the guidance of
their teachers and with the assistance of fellow students.
When surveyed, IB students at MPSJ consistently describe their
IB classmates and teachers as supportive, knowledgeable, and
friendly
Last year, the IB class received an average of 5 university
acceptances and 94% received their first or second choice
Developing Well-rounded Individuals
The Creativity, Activity, and Service component of the IB
Diploma ensures that graduates have had a variety of significant
experiences, which develop very desirable characteristics in an
Information Age.
Where do we find MPSJ IB students? We find our students
involved in school teams, musicals, SAC, Leadership, Peer
Ministry, Best Buddies, Debating, Robotics, Green Power, Free
The Children.
Where do we find MPSJ IB students? Wherever good things are
happening within our community.
mpsjib
PowerIB