IB Students Continue to be Strong Performers on World Stage

Nova Scotia's International Baccalaureate graduates are some of the strongest academic performers in the world, according to examination results released today, Oct. 4.

The results show that Nova Scotia public school IB students outperformed North American IB students in all 29 subjects and World IB students in 26 of 29 subjects.

"This achievement belongs to the students, their dedicated teachers and their families who supported them through this challenging program," said Education Minister Ramona Jennex. "I am proud to see so many of our students succeed not only by earning their diploma, but also by showcasing to the rest of the world how we are putting kids and learning first in Nova Scotia."

Two-hundred-and-forty students graduated from the Geneva-based International Baccalaureate Organization this year.

Eighty-seven-point-four per cent of Nova Scotia IB students passed the program, compared to 70.3 per cent in North America and 77.7 per cent worldwide.

Graduates of the program were awarded $3.3 million in scholarships and bursaries from universities, independent foundations and government.

Halifax West graduate Saba Balvardi scored a record-tying 44 out of a possible 45 points to earn her diploma. This is only the second score of 44 in the history of IB in the province.

After receiving multiple scholarship offers, Saba decided to attend McGill University in Montreal.

"IB taught me how to manage my time, keep up with a full course load, how to critique and analyze work, and, most importantly, it taught me about life outside of the class room," said Ms. Balvardi. "I was able to spend time with people who shared the same passion as me and I was able to make lifelong friendships."

The International Baccalaureate offers high quality programs of international education to worldwide community of schools. There are more than 900,000 students in over 140 countries.