Education philosophy of International Baccalaureate (IB) schools

IB aims to educate attentive, curious and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. They responsibly realize the need to save the planet. The IB Organization (IBO) works with schools, governments and international organizations to update education programs and maintain consistent, rigorous and reliable assessment. These programs encourage young people around the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people with their differences can also be right.

An International Baccalaureate student aims to become:

• a communicator
• an inquirer
• a risk-taker
• principled
• open-minded
• caring
• knowledgeable 
• balanced
• reflective
• a thinker

IB Diploma Programme

TB DP is a two-year educational program for students of the III-IV high school grades. The program that language of instruction is English, promotes a holistic approach to learning, community spirit and the pursuit of knowledge. The Diploma programme is characterized by high-quality education, based on academic requirements and a balanced educational plan.

IB Diploma programme structure

The curriculum consists of the IB DP core and six subject groups: 1) Studies in language and literature, 2) Language acquisition, 3) Individuals and societies, 4) Sciences, 5) Mathematics, and 6) Optional subjects.

It is compulsory to study one subject from each group—three subjects at the Higher Level (HL) and three at the Standard Level (SL).Over two years, the Higher Level (HL) course consists of 240 hours, and the Standard Level (SL) course consists of 150 hours.

Core subjects

Core subjects of IB DP are compulsory for every student: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, and Service.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)  is a 100-hour course that focuses on developing critical thinking and encourages students to reflect on how they know what they claim to know and to explain the nature of that knowledge.

Extended Essay (EE) is an independently written research paper prepared by the student on a chosen topic. Working individually and in consultation with teachers and the EE coordinator, the student submits a 4,000-word written work. 

Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) is an activity that encourages students to learn from experience, show initiative and perseverance, and develop cooperation, problem-solving and acceptance skills. For this activity, 2-3 hours are allocated per week.

Diploma Programme subjects offered by the Gymnasium

List of subjects and their levels

	Subjects	Subject levels and the number of lessons
Group 1:	Lithuanian A Literature	HL – 6 hours; SL – 4 hours per week
Group 2:	English B	HL – 6 hours; SL – 4 hours per week
Group 3:	History of Europe and Middle East or Psychology	HL – 6 hours; SL – 4 hours per week
Group 4:	Physics or Biology	HL – 6 hours; SL – 4 hours per week
Group 5:	Mathematics: applications and interpretation	HL – 6 hours; SL – 4 hours per week
Group 6:	History of Europe and Middle East, Psychology, Computer Science, Physics or Biology	HL – 6 hours; SL – 4 hours per week

 

Admission of students

For current VVDG students

For entering students

Until May 31 via Vilnius city municipality e. system the request application to study under the IB DP programme is submitted. In the box Specifiniai pageidavimai   indicate “Stojimas į TB DP programą“. The following documents are provided: individual selection of IB DP subjects according to the gymnasium IB DP Individual learning plan template (download the template); a school certificate about achievements in the 9th and 10th grades; a school certificate stating that the student attended an introductory IB course at the gymnasium; information about the student’s achievements (I, II, III places) in the city, a republic or international Olympiads from IB DP subjects (see Appendix No.1); free-form motivational letter in English written by the student. On June 7, 12:00 p.m. entrance exams of English language and mathematics are held. Both exams are organized in English. Lists of students invited to study under the IB DP program are published on June 13, June 23 and August 25.  The information is published on the gymnasium website and via the Vilnius city municipality e. system. A learning agreement is signed by August 26. On August 31 an introductory meeting for students accepted to study under the IB DP programme will be organized.

Until May 31 via Vilnius city municipality e. system the request application to study under the IB DP programme is submitted. In the box Specifiniai pageidavimai   indicate “Stojimas į TB DP programą“. The following documents are provided: individual selection of IB DP subjects according to the gymnasium IB DP Individual learning plan template (download the template); a school certificate about achievements in the 9th and 10th grades; a school certificate stating that the student studied under the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)  information about the student’s achievements (I, II, III places) in the city, a republic or international Olympiads from IB DP subjects (see Appendix No.1); free-form motivational letter in English written by the student. On June 7, 12:00 p.m. entrance exams of English language and mathematics are held. Both exams are organized in English. Lists of students invited to study under the IB DP program are published on June 13, June 23 and August 25.  The information is published on the gymnasium website and via the Vilnius city municipality e. system. A learning agreement is signed by August 26.  On August 31 an introductory meeting for students accepted to study under the IB DP programme will be organized.

Appendix No. 1

List of Olympiads

Competitions and Olympiads (city and republic) 

1. Lithuanian Language Olympiad for Lithuanian students 9/10 grade (I-III place)
2. Lithuanian Students Young Philologists Competition 9/10 grade (I-III place)
3. Lithuanian Students artistic reading competition 9/10 grade (I-III place)
4. Lithuanian Students’ English Language Olympiad 9/10 grade I-III place)
5. Lithuanian Language French Olympiad (I-III place)
6. Public Speaking English language competition 9/10 grade (I-III place)
7. Lithuanian Students Mathematics Olympiad 9/10 grade (I-III place)
8. Lithuanian Students Science Olympiad 9th grade (I-III place)
9. Lithuanian Students Young Geologists Olympiad 9/10 grade (I-III place)
10. Lithuanian Student Biology Olympiad 9/10 grade (I-III place)
11.  Lithuanian Students’ Astronomy Olympiad 9/10 grade (I-III place)
12. Lithuanian Student Geography Olympiad 9/10 grade (I-III place)
13. Geography Olympiad “My Globe” 9/10 grade (I-III place)
14. Lithuanian Student History Olympiad 10th grade (I-III place)
15. Lithuanian Student Informatics Olympiad 9/10 grade (I-III place)

Competitions and Olympiads (international)

1. European Geography Olympiad (I-III place)
2. World Astronomy and Astrophysics e-competition (I-III place)
3. International Biology Olympiad (I-III place)
4. International Mathematics Competition PANGEA 9/10 grade. (I-III place)
5. Baltic Informatics Olympiad (I-III place)
6.  International Informatics Olympiad (I-III place)