International Baccalaureate
Leibniz Privatschule Elmshorn/Metropolitan area Hamburg is
an IB World School
® offering the Diploma Programme
®
Leibniz Privatschule is an IB ® World School in Elmshorn/Metropolitan area Hamburg. These are schools that share a common philosophy – a commitment to high quality, challenging education and internationalism and personal engagement.
Leibniz Privatschule offers the International Baccalaureate
® Diploma Programme
® to students starting in September in class level 11. The Diploma Programme
® (DP) is an internationally recognized university-entrance qualification which takes two years. The DP at Leibniz Privatschule is taught and examined in English. It allows students to apply to universities all over the world. Read more on university admission on the official
admission site of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Subjects in the Diploma Programme
During class levels 11 and 12 Diploma years 1 and 2 are conducted. Here the content of the IB Diploma Programme ® is taught. The students take six subjects from at least five of the six DP subject groups, three of these as higher level subjects (HL) with a higher amount of study content and classes than remaining standard level (SL) subjects. These levels are similar to the levels in the German Abitur profile and additional subjects. Each HL subject is taught during the course of two DP years at a minimum of 240 hours. SL subjects total 150 hours minimum each.
The IB Diploma Programme includes the core elements and six subject groups.
core elements
| Theory of Knowledge (ToK) | ToK is a subject of 100 hours during DP years 1 and 2. Here, students explore the meaning of knowledge, how we obtain knowledge, and how we gain new knowledge. Familiar knowledge will be scrutinized. In short, independent learning is developed here. |
| Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) | In this core element students can nurture their talents and organize projects that have a benefit to society. The aim of this element is to foster the personal development and creativity of the students. |
| Extended Essay (EE) | Students write a 4000 word academic-style essay about a topic of their own choice. This research question has to lie in the field of one of the six subject groups of the DP. Here, students have to handlea topic of their choice on their own over a longer period. |
subject groups
| Group 1 Studies in language and literature: | Language A – German Literature SL or SSST |
| Group 2 Language acquisition: | Language B – English HL |
| Group 3 Individuals and societies: | Global Politics SL |
| Group 4 Sciences: | Biology HL |
| Group 5 Mathematics: | Mathematics – Applications and Interpretations HL |
| Group 6 The arts: | Visual Arts SL |
Admission criteria Diploma programme®
The Diploma Programme
® (DP) is an opportunity for diligent and highly motivated students to achieve their higher-education entrance qualification within two years at the end of class 12. For admission to the DP candidates must fulfill general criteria that are laid out in our
admission policy (download).
Initially, the DP will be taught in English with the exception of German Literature as Language A subject. Thus, the initial phase of the DP is open to
- German speaking students who have gained good results at the end of their compulsory education (i.e. in grade 10), who have developed good study habits and display the necessary interest, maturity and vision to cope with a rigorous international pre-academic programme in English.
- Non-German speaking students who possess very good self-learning skills and therefore can commence in a self-taught Language A – Literature subject of their mother-tongue supported by our school.
At a later stage, the DP will be taught in English completely to prepare students for university entrance without a compulsory German-language requirement, while allowing native speakers to study German as their first language. Thus, the DP will then additionally be open to
- German students who have gained good results at the end of their compulsory education (i.e. in grade 10), who have developed good study habits and display the necessary interest, maturity and vision to cope with a rigorous international pre-academic programme in English.
- Non-German or German students who have lived and attended school abroad, and want to head for university. They have shown academic ability but are not able to approach the German Abitur due to the lack of German language skills
The IB learner Profile
The IB learner profile lies at the heart of IB education. It represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Inquirers | We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life. |
| Knowledgable | We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance. |
| Thinkers | We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions. |
| Communicators | We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups. |
| Principled | We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences. |
| Open minded | We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience. |
| Caring | We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us. |
| Risk-takers | We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. |
| Balanced | We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives-intellectual, physical, and emotional-to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live. |
| Reflective | We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development. |
Prep-class for the DP
When entering class level 10, students who are aiming for the Diploma Programme ® are placed in a preparation class for the IB. This class prepares students for the Diploma Programme ® in level 11 and 12.
Subjects in prep-class are the same as in the socio-scientific profile of the German Abitur programme of Leibniz Privatschule. This allows students in doubt to change school programmes after class level 10 without the necessity of repeating the year. Moreover, students automatically receive the German MSA certificate when passing the year. MSA is the school leaving certificate, acquired after 10 years, which is usually required for starting apprenticeships.
Students in prep-class choose between the profile building subjects history or geography. The majority of votes in the class decides the profile subject. The other one is then taught as an accompanying subject as well as the subject economics and politics. Biology and another natural science are taught in prep-class. Moreover, students choose between arts and music as well as between religion and philosophy. Additional subjects include maths, German, Spanish and English language, and physical education. As preparation for the DP some of the subjects are taught in English language. Further methods such as essay writing, academic honesty and literature research and citing are taught during prep-class.