Diploma Programme at Stratford Hall in Vancouver, B.C.

Our Community of Learners Experience

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The Complexities of Navigating Life in the 21st Century

At Stratford Hall, we believe the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) should be accessible to any student who is motivated to do it. Our diverse and dynamic student population reflects that our DP is not only accessible, but achievable. Our students challenge themselves, while always being themselves.

The DP at Stratford Hall is designed to equip students with the academic skills needed for university study, further education, and their chosen profession. But more importantly, our goal is to develop good people who can make a difference in the world. From inside the classroom to international trips, and from online to on stage, students are encouraged to develop these traits through the IB Learner Profile. Our community of learners experience the complexities of navigating life in the 21st century, and in the process, develop the values and skills needed to live a fulfilled and purposeful life.

Audrey Kamachi, '21

Whether I am drawing on concepts from IB Math or History in my university courses or applying advice passed down from my high school teachers, I still reference my learnings from Stratford Hall on a daily basis. I believe this is a testament to the quality of education I gained at Stratford Hall as well as the genuine passion of my past teachers — both of which I am truly grateful for.

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Hazel Chee

Senior School Principal
Andy Wong

Senior School Vice Principal, DP Coordinator

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The Principles
The IB Diploma has really become the gold standard for university entrance. Universities regularly recruit IB students for many reasons:
- they already know how to work hard and manage their time;
- they already have university-level skills and knowledge;
- they bring a global perspective to their studies; and,
- they contribute to their university and wider community.
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The Program Components

The Diploma Programme is presented as six subject groups enclosing a central core. It encourages the concurrent study of a broad range of academic areas. Students take six courses and three DP Core Requirements.

In each of the academic areas, students have some flexibility in making their choices, which means they can choose subjects that particularly interest them and that they may wish to study further at university. Students are required to choose one course from each of the six subject groups, although they can substitute a second choice from groups 1 to 5 instead of an arts subject in group 6.

Typically, three subjects are taken at the Higher Level (HL), and three are taken at the Standard Level (SL). HL subjects are studied in greater depth and breadth than SL subjects. At both levels, many skills are developed, especially those of critical thinking and analysis.

As mentioned above, all Diploma Programme students also participate in the three Core Requirements: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay. These Core Requirements embody the principles that lie at the heart of the thinking behind the Diploma Programme. Stratford Hall’s Diploma Programme Coordinator and teachers are available to provide advice and support for students as they choose their courses.

Students graduating from Stratford Hall’s DP emerge with the attributes of mature and engaged world leaders. Through the support and guidance of the International Baccalaureate Organization’s (IB) Approaches to Teaching, our teachers are equipped with modern pedagogy for responsive and engaging education. And through the IB Approaches to Learning our students learn how to learn, to be organized, to give and receive feedback, to advocate for their individual needs, to reflect on their own learning, and to collaborate.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is the Diploma Programme only for international students?

No. Although the DP was designed originally for international students and is widely offered in international schools, it is open to all. The DP provides an international perspective in its curriculum and is internationally recognized by universities for admissions.
What are the courses offered at Stratford Hall?

English A: Literature HL/SL
English A: Language and Literature HL/SL
Language A: Literature HL/SL (Self-Taught School Supported)
French B HL/SL
Spanish B HL/SL
Chinese (Mandarin) B HL/SL
Business Management HL/SL
Geography HL/SL
History HL/SL
Psychology HL/SL
Biology HL/SL
Chemistry HL/SL
Physics HL/SL
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL/SL
Mathematics: Interpretation and Applications SL
Visual Arts HL/SL
Theatre HL/SL
Do students have to be gifted or exceptionally smart to do the Diploma Programme?

Our experience, and that of other IB schools around the world, is that attitude, effort, and organization are the keys to success in the DP. Although the DP is academically challenging, you do not have to be brilliant to do well; you have to work hard, be organized, and stay positive!
Can students with diagnosed learning differences still do the Diploma Programme?

Yes. If you have professionally diagnosed learning differences, IB may grant allowances, such as extra time on final exams, use of a laptop, a scribe, and others.
Can students take Diploma exams again to improve their scores?

With permission, students can retake any DP exams after graduation. However, this is not typical or ideal. Permission to retake exams is given at the DP Coordinator’s discretion. Also, depending on the circumstances, there also may be an additional cost involved.
Do graduates receive first year credits for DP courses?

Canadian universities accept Diploma courses almost universally; however, they do vary with regards to which subjects they will give credit for. For example, UBC typically grants credit for HL courses with a score of 5 or more. It is best to check with the university you have in mind.