Langstaff Secondary School is in the process of applying to become an International Baccalaureate (IB) accredited school.
In October 2026, it is anticipated that students who are in Grade 8 at the time will be able to apply to the IB programme for the 2027-2028 school year at Langstaff Secondary School. Successful applicants participate in an enriched course of study during Grade 9 and 10, and begin the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 11.
The IB Diploma programme is a regional program in York Region District School Board and includes the following schools:
Alexander Mackenzie High School
Bayview Secondary School
Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School
Emily Carr Secondary School (candidate school)
Langstaff Secondary School (candidate school)
Maple High School
Milliken Mills High School
At the beginning of the Grade 8 school year, students and families interested in the Programme are invited to attend an information session at the school, which will be offering the IB Diploma Programme and the Grade 9 and Grade 10 Preparatory Programme in their area. During each session, information about the Programmes and the application process for the Preparatory Programme will be shared.
To determine your area, please visit the YRDSB school locator.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is student-centered with a focus on developing intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills for students who live, learn and work in a rapidly changing world. The programme emphasizes critical and compassionate thinking, community involvement, and intercultural understanding. It is founded on international standards and assessment. Students who complete the Diploma Programme earn both an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and an IB Diploma.
The IB is a not for profit foundation, motivated by its mission to create a better world through education. The Programme was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968 and as of June 2016 has grown to include 3000 World Schools offering the Diploma Programme. The Programme “offers a curriculum that is broad and balanced, conceptual and connected”. It is designed for motivated students between the ages of 16 and 19 and promotes “healthy relationships, ethical responsibility and personal challenge". The Programme helps students to develop “the attitudes and skills they need for both academic and personal success”.
In York Region, we traditionally invite students to apply to our Preparatory Programmes to prepare for the IB Diploma Programme in the autumn of their Grade 8 year.
Successful applicants participate in an enriched course of study during Grade 9 and 10, and begin the IB Diploma Programme in their Grade 11 year.
Students in our IB Programme earn both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Fees
The fees for the IB Diploma Programme are approx. $3400.00 plus administration fee and these fees are not eligible for tax receipt.
Transportation
Busing is not provided for our IB students.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Students enter the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 11 to complete the two year programme. Over the two years students will complete six IB courses, one from each group, and the three core elements, CAS, Creativity, Activity and Service, an Extended Essay and the Theory of Knowledge course. At the end of the two years students can earn both the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, OSSD. The requirements to earn the OSSD can be found on the YRDSB website.
The Six IB Groups
Studies in Language and Literature
Language Acquisition
Individuals and Societies
Sciences
Mathematics
Arts
The Core
The International Baccalaureate Organization outlines the three core elements as:
- Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
- The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
- Creativity, activity, service, CAS, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.
At Langstaff Secondary School students will complete the Theory of Knowledge in a grade 11 course, HZB3M starting in the grade 11 year and completing the course in the grade 12 year.
The Extended Essay is an independent project with support from the library and a teacher mentor. Students begin the Extended Essay in grade 11 and finish it by December of the grade 12 year.
CAS is completed independently with support from supervisors for each activity and project. CAS starts at the beginning of the grade 11 year and is completed by March of the grade 12 year.