Mandela’s
Diploma Programme (DP)

Mandela’s DP students develop preparedness, self-confidence, research and time-management skills, and global and community awareness that translate into college success and life-long learning.

The DP framework emphasizes breadth and depth of knowledge and culminates in the IB Diploma. Most Mandela students trying for the IB Diploma earn it.

More Information & Discussion

For more information about the IB Diploma Programme, download FAQs for parents and/or visit the IB website.

Students decide upon their DP path through facilitated conversations with their families, teachers, and Mandela’s Diploma Programme Coordinator.

The IB Diploma

IB Diploma candidates must fulfill the following two-year requirements:

  • 6 IB courses:

    • 3 HL (higher level) courses

    • 3 SL (standard level) courses

  • IB CORE:

    • Theory of Knowledge (TOK):
      A course that reflects on the nature of knowledge

    • Extended Essay (EE):
      An independent, 4,000-word research paper

    • Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS):
      150 hours of extracurricular creative, athletic, and service tasks

  • Score a minimum of 24 out of 45 possible points on IB exams

    • Subjects are scored 1-7, with 3 “bonus points” available from the DP Core.

Course Candidacy

Students opting not to pursue the full IB Diploma still take IB classes at Mandela, and they can earn certificates for individual courses. Depending on their performance on IB assessments, course candidates may earn college credits for specific subjects.