Canadian International School of Hong Kong is the only school outside of Canada where students can graduate with both the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Some universities prefer the OSSD earned credits and final scores term by term rather than the IB Diploma Programme's predicted grades, with final IB Diploma Programme grades issued only in July after a student has completed their final year of study. In this way, the dual diplomas give students a distinct advantage when applying to top universities around the globe. Students who join CDNIS at anytime from Grades 9-11 will have their transcript reviewed and are eligible for transfer credits.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Independence and critical-thinking skills gain more focus and students plan their own Diploma Programme of six subjects - choosing from a range of courses in Humanities, Mathematics and Sciences, plus Arts and electives options, with the DP Coordinator and Guidance Counsellors providing support every step of the way.

Students’ work in Grades 11 and 12 is marked externally against established, standardized criteria. It is one reason CDNIS graduates are highly sought after by the world’s leading universities and it is why they often receive university credit for their IB Higher Level courses.

Subject Options

Language and Literature

Language Acquisition

Individuals and Societies

Sciences

Mathematics

The Arts

The Core

Unique Features of the DP at CDNIS

While the Diploma Programme at CDNIS is unique in many ways, here are our top six:

Compassion and Care

While the challenging Diploma Programme requires individual dedication and a tremendous investment of time and effort, what sets CDNIS apart is our commitment to encouraging feelings of compassion that are manifested in acts of care and kindness. With a robust CAS programme and our annual Grade 11 retreat focused on International Mindedness, our students are taught to care for not only themselves but for proximate and distant others as well. Our policies related to assessment, academic integrity and inclusive education demonstrate a commitment to understanding our students as unique individuals that require us to balance equity and equality.

Open Admission

All students at CDNIS can access and find success in our Diploma Programme; we have open enrollment and all students begin Grade 11 fully enrolled in the Diploma Programme. We encourage students to set their own achievement goals in the programme and support every student as they aim toward their individualized goals. While our yearly whole-school statistics bear out the hard work our students put into performing well, we are committed to celebrating the achievements of all of our students, whatever their goals might be.

The Dual Diploma

All students at CDNIS complete the Grade 11 and 12 Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements alongside IB’s Diploma Programme. With two widely recognized Diplomas, CDNIS students embark on two simultaneous pathways to accessing the best universities in the world. In other words, CDNIS students do not choose the OSSD or the IBDP path - they benefit from both of these robust programmes.

Course Options

CDNIS offers a Chinese A programme so fluent Chinese speakers have an opportunity to achieve the IB’s Bilingual Diploma. In addition, we offer Chinese, French and Spanish programmes for students seeking to further their fluency in one of these languages. We also offer all of the Science options that are available from the IB, six Humanities courses, and a robust Arts programme with Film, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts all on offer every year. For a programme averaging just over 100 students in each year of the progamme this is a remarkable breadth of course options that is available to our students.

Balance

It is a given that the Diploma Programme requires an investment of time, energy and hardwork; however, students are encouraged to look beyond the rigours of the Programme and ensure they have balance in their lives. All Grade 11 and 12 students participate in an experiential leadership programme as well as our annual Experience Week where they engage in team building activities, enjoy some exercise and have an opportunity to explore the beauty of Hong Kong. Finally, throughout the two-year programme, students are provided seminars on time management, managing stress and healthy living, all in an effort to ensure students come out of the programme healthier than they were when entering it.

extra counsellor support

Core IB Requirements

Creativity, Activity and Service Programme

Extended Essay

The EE is a 4,000-word essay that all IB Diploma Programme students write on a topic of special interest drawn from their studies. With the guidance of an advisor, each student conducts independent research, prepares their ideas and organizes material for their essay. The skills and techniques honed in creating the Extended Essay provide valuable practice for university work.

Theory of Knowledge

CDNIS IBDP RESULTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS

	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
CDNIS Average IBDP Score	37	39	40	38	36.5
World Average IBDP Score	30	32	33	31.3	29.7
Scholarships offered	18.5M+	13M+	17M+	14M+	18M+

Mobile toggle