Last year, King’s InterHigh piloted the online version of the IB’s Diploma Programme (DP) and saw their first cohort graduate. They celebrated the milestone with a virtual reality (VR) graduation. They are one of two schools in the world who are piloting the programme with the IB.
Learn more about the DP online at King’s InterHigh and how students benefitted from a fully online educational experience.
What is the DP online?
The DP online at King’s InterHigh is a pioneering initiative that allows students to complete their International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme entirely online. With a flexible approach and cutting-edge technology, this programme offers students a unique way to pursue their education from anywhere in the world.
Here are five key takeaways from our experience that other schools should know.
1. Flexibility is a gamechanger
One of the biggest advantages of the DP online is its flexibility. Students from diverse backgrounds, including those with medical needs or living in remote areas, have thrived in our programme. The ability to balance school with personal passions, access lessons anytime, and create individual study routines has empowered our students to excel academically and personally.
Laura, for example, chose King’s InterHigh because she could not find an IB school when her family moved from Japan to Brazil. For Laura, flexibility was key, and she loved being able to get that balance between school success and self-care.
She said, “Teachers will regularly create breakout rooms, where we can discuss the topics together. It's so much more than sitting and watching them talk.”
2. Technology enhances learning
Integrating technology like virtual reality (VR) into the curriculum has significantly boosted student engagement and understanding. VR allows students to explore complex subjects in an immersive way, making learning more interactive and effective.
This tech-driven approach has been particularly valuable in subjects like Biology and Environmental Systems.
3. Community and collaboration are key
Despite being an online programme, building a strong sense of community is crucial. Students at King’s InterHigh have formed tight-knit study groups and participated in collaborative projects across time zones. This sense of belonging and mutual support has been instrumental in their success, showing that online education can foster meaningful connections.
Jonathan studies in Germany and embraced the international nature of our programme in a uniquely appreciative way.
“Our cohort is filled with students from over 50 countries! Thankfully, I have so much communication with my classmates. This IB cohort connects on so many levels... It's an excellent group to be part of,” he said.
4. Comprehensive support is essential
Supporting students in an online environment requires a multi-layered approach. From personalized guidance by Reflect tutors to extra academic support from subject teachers, we’ve ensured that our students always have access to the help they need. This holistic support system is vital for helping students navigate both the IB curriculum and the challenges of online learning.
Our student Anushka, who achieved 40 points, said, “My teachers supported me at all levels. From essential revision materials and study tips to numerous practice exam questions, I had all the requisite resources I needed to prepare for my exams.”
5. Teacher preparation is critical
Teaching the IB online presents unique challenges, and proper teacher training is essential. We invested in both IB-specific training and internal professional development to equip our educators with the skills needed for online instruction.
This preparation has been key to maintaining high standards and delivering a rich educational experience.
Overall, our experience with the DP online has shown that online education can be just as effective, if not more so, than traditional schooling. By focusing on flexibility, technology, community, support, and teacher preparation, we have created a programme that empowers students to succeed on their own terms. As online education continues to evolve, these takeaways can help other schools design effective and engaging learning experiences for their students.
And students, above all, recognize how important this is. Alina in Russia was excited to tell us, “We are part of the history of online education, which I believe is the future!”
Educators at King’s InterHigh wholeheartedly agree.
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