Education and Career

In February 2015, Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School became an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) school, joining the ranks of IB World Schools (IB-accredited schools) all around the world. In April of the same year, the DP was offered in the Foreign Language Course, and in April of 2019, in the Shukoh Course. In principle, students from any course can undertake the DP.

The International Baccalaureate is an international educational program offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, headquartered in Geneva. The International Baccalaureate was established to provide students with the attitudes and skills they need to act responsibly in the future, as well as to provide them with an internationally accepted university entrance qualification (International Baccalaureate) and to secure a route to university. As of July 1, 2016, 4,610 schools in more than 140 countries and regions around the world have been accredited, with 14 schools, including Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School, accredited in Japan.

Diploma Program（DP）

The program is designed for students between the ages of 16 and 19. After completing the prescribed curriculum for two years and passing the final examination with the prescribed grades, students can obtain an internationally recognized university entrance qualification (International Baccalaureate Diploma).
In principle, there are two types of programs: a program conducted in English, French or Spanish, and a dual language program conducted in Japanese and English. (The final examinations are conducted in both English and Japanese.

1　DP was introduced in April 2015

Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School is the first high school in Tohoku to introduce the IBDP into its foreign language courses. The IB is an internationally recognized top-level educational program adopted by more than 5,000 schools around the world, and upon graduation, students can enter universities around the world. In Japan, the government is also promoting the introduction of the IBDP as a national policy, and students will be able to use their IBDP diploma to enter national, public, and private universities in Japan.
Since our school has joined the IB's worldwide network, as a member of the IB World Schools network, our students and teachers can now collaborate and cooperate with IB schools around the world. Please note that the IBDP will also be offered in the Shukoh Course at the Miyagino Campus starting in 2019.

2　The IBDP is a two-year program that is implemented in the second and third grades of high school to provide students with the skills to live in the 21st century as global citizens

Students will acquire the ability to communicate in multiple languages (multilingualism), develop ICT skills, the ability to explore, analyze, and integrate (higher order cognitive skills), and the ability to present and write papers (public speaking & academic writing skills).
It is difficult to predict what will happen in the 21st century, but if students have the above skills, they will be able to navigate this unpredictable era.
We hope that our students will acquire the following characteristics of the IB learner profile and become good global citizens with an international perspective, solid academic skills, and the ability to lead.

IB learner profile

• *INQUIRERS
• *KNOWLEDGEABLE
• *THINKERS
• *COMMUNICATORS
• *PRINCIPLED
• *OPEN-MINDED
• *CARING
• *RISK-TAKERS
• *BALANCED
• *REFLECTIVE

3　Dual Language Diploma Program

Sendai Ikuei Gakuen offers a dual language IBDP. The IBDP comprised of six subjects and 3 core subjects. Currently in the dual language programme, subjects other than English B and Arts are taught in Japanese. Students can also take the graduation exam in November of their second year in Japanese.

4　DP preparation classes (immersion classes, etc.)

In the Foreign Language Course, the first year of classes is positioned as a preparation period for the IBDP starting the 2nd year. In addition to English class (7 credits in total), foreign instructors will teach "Science and Human Life" and "Mathematics" in English (immersion classes), and students will learn the basics of skills necessary for the IBDP- ICT computer skills, and how to conduct research and make presentations.

5　Applying for DP

【Foreign Language Course】

An IB information session for students and parents is held in October to solicit applications for the DP classes that will start in January. In the second half of February, students submit their official application documents. Students will be selected based on their English essays, interviews, and evaluation of each subject based on assignments and attendance.
 

【Shukoh Course】

In October, IB students and their parents will be invited to attend an orientation session and apply to take the DP classes that will start in January. At that time, students will be asked to submit application forms, and students will be selected based on their academic performance, English essays, and interviews.
 

★At the Miyagino campus, we have a science program!
At Tagajo campus, students can study with international students!

★DP students wanting to specialise in math/science courses take the Shukoh DP course, while other students basically take the course at the school campus where their course is located.
If you have special circumstances, please consult with the person in charge at the school.

1　IB and Sendai Ikuei Gakuen

In April of 2015, Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School became the first school in the Tohoku region to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP) (see note) as a dual program in its foreign language course. Since April 2016, IB students study in a modern, brand-new open space that is ahead of its time- The Global Rooms, with second-year students beginning their DP studies, and first-year students studying hard for their graduation exams this year.
One of the principles of the IB is "International-mindedness", which is similar to our school's educational policy. When Mr. Rikichi Katoh, the first principal of our school, founded Ikueijuku, the predecessor of Sendai Ikuei Gakuen, he said, "We must create a world without war. In order to do so, we should not only hope for the prosperity of one nation, but also nurture many people who can see the world with a more global perspective and play an active role in it (from "Hoero! Lion Sensei"). Since then, our school has made it one of our educational policies to nurture global citizens, and we have over 100 sister schools around the world, accepting many international students and sending many students abroad. We also share many aspects of our school's founding spirit and school life philosophy through our international exchanges.

(Note) DP is originally an educational program taught in English only, but in order to develop the program in Japan, some subjects can to be taught in Japanese.

2　Collaborative work

The IB is a program of six groups of subjects and core subjects (TOK, CAS, and EE) that emphasize collaboration between teachers and students. The core subjects are, so to speak, cross-curricular subjects. The IB's mission, the learner profile, and the spirit of TOK (Theory of Knowledge) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) must be incorporated and developed in each subject class in a cross-curricular manner. We need to think about how we can incorporate and develop TOK (theory of knowledge) and CAS (creativity, activity, service) into our classes across subjects. The IB teachers have been meeting once a week to discuss these issues. At the verification visit, the staff member in charge of inspections dispatched from the IB evaluated the fact that the plan for the introduction of the IB program was made based on discussions among the subject teachers.

3　Learner-centered teaching

The other major characteristic of IB classes is that they are student-centered. Instead of lectures, students are expected to think, explore, and present their ideas. Students work individually, in groups, and as a whole class in a variety of ways. We spent a lot of time at the IB teachers' meeting on active learning because it requires a different form of lesson planning than the traditional lecture format. For Japanese teachers, it was a big change, a Copernican revolution, and it took some time to get used to the idea, but we had native teachers to guide us.

4　Formative assessment

Assessment is important component of the DP: the IB assessment is comprised of IA (internal assessment) and EA (external assessment); EA is conducted by the IB, while IA is assessed by the subject teachers in the school and the IB. In addition, there are formative assessments, which are used to evaluate students' understanding and motivation in class. These are not reflected in grades but are used to provide feedback on students' learning and teachers' teaching methods. There are a variety of formative assessment methods and practices. As with learner-centered teaching, this is a new concept for Japanese teachers, so it is an area that all IB teachers need to continue to research and implement in their classes.

IB Sendai Ikuei Movie