English Info

International classes:

For non-Polish and English speaking students the school offers general education based on Polish national and International Baccalaureate curriculum issues. We accept 6 – 9 year old students for the primary classes and 15-18 year olds to take part in the pre IB and IB courses preparing for International Baccalaureate Diploma. They may choose extra curriculum classes and join the Polish students on all basic English spoken subjects as well as foreign languages courses or sports activities.

Szkola Europejska, founded in 1992, offers general education on the primary, middle-years and secondary (grammar) stage for students aged 6 – 19 years. It has the status of the IB World School granted by International Baccalaureate Organization.

The school’s curriculum offers bilingual teaching in Polish and English of all basic subjects leading to the final certificate of secondary education: Polish Matura (taken in Polish and partly in English) as well as International Baccalaureate (taken in English).

Each student may specialize in chosen subjects and additionally is prepared to obtain international certificates in three foreign languages: English, German, Spanish/French (Cambridge CAE/ CPE and Mittelstufe Deutsch in German as well as DELF in French or DELE in Spanish)

Within the computer science curriculum the students also receive the European Computer Driving License (ECDL), an international diploma of information technology, certifying a proficient level of computer skills.

The school’s curriculum is realised with the use of modern teaching methods which include active learning and interdisciplinary research projects developed by the students both individually and in teams. The students gain and develop basic skills such as organising, assessing and planning their own education, efficient team-work, solving problems in a creative way and - the advanced use of computers. .

Sports activities include tennis, swimming, horse-riding, self-defence techniques and classical dance.

Educational resources

Apart from well equipped science classrooms, the school also offers a computer and multimedia workrooms in which lessons on all subjects are conducted with the use of information technology resources. The students make use of the Internet and the latest multimedia software. All classrooms are equipped with modern audio and video sets.

What deserves special attention is the fully computerised school library which offers, apart from a proper selection of handbooks, popular and scientific publications, a selection of video and audio materials, a rich choice of multimedia software, over a hundred of periodicals covering a wide range of topics along with the index of contents, the Internet access, etc.

Students use the performance hall with its audio equipment for presentations of their individual and team projects as well as school theatre performances. The cosy cafeteria serves as a private class meetings place.

Achievements

The first graduates left the school in 1997, achieving an average of 4.5 grade in their final certificates of secondary education. High average results in the following years led to one of the highest positions held by the school each year (among public and private schools in the voivodship with the first place among private schools).

The students take part in a lot of different regional and national subject competitions winning high places as well as in poetry reciting, English language debate contests and theatre festivals.
All our graduates continue their studies in Polish and foreign universities, choosing such departments as international relations, business and economics, law, finance and banking, medicine, linguistics and technical departments.

* IB World School No 3065
* Licensed TELC Examination Centre

SZKOŁA EUROPEJSKA - IB WORLD SCHOOL NO. 3065

Szkoła Europejska is the first school in Łódź and its region preparing students to IB Diploma. The IBO's Diploma Programme (DP) was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study that leads to final examinations. It is designed for secondary school students aged 16 to 19.

The programme has earned a reputation for rigorous assessment, giving IB diploma holders access to Polish as well as the world's leading universities. The IB Diploma Programme generally allows students to fulfill the requirements of their national or state education systems. The DP incorporates the best elements of national systems, without being based on any one.

Internationally mobile students are able to transfer from one DP school to another. Students who remain closer to home benefit from a highly respected international curriculum

The Diploma Programme curriculum

The Diploma Programme (DP) has the strengths of a traditional and broad curriculum, but with three important additional features, shown at the centre of the hexagonal programme model.

Theory of knowledge (TOK)

TOK is an interdisciplinary requirement intended to stimulate critical reflection on the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. The course challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases and to develop the ability to analyse evidence that is expressed in rational argument.

TOK is a key element in encouraging students to appreciate other cultural perspectives. The course is unique to the IBO, which recommends at least 100 hours of teaching time spanning the programme's two years.

TCreativity, action, service (CAS)

The IBO's goal is to educate the whole person and foster responsible, compassionate citizens. The CAS component encourages students to share their energy and special talents with others. Students may, for example, participate in theatre or musical productions, sports and community service activities. Students should, through these activities, develop greater awareness of themselves, concern for others, and the ability to work cooperatively with other people.

An extended essay of 4,000 words

Each student has the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest. The essay requirement acquaints DP students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities. The IBO recommends that a student devote a total of about 40 hours of private study and writing time to the essay. The essay permits students to deepen their programmes of study, for example by selecting a topic in one of their higher level (HL) courses. Or they might add breadth to their academic experience by electing to write in a subject not included in their programme choices.

The six academic subjects

Diploma Programme (DP) students must select one subject from each of the six groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at higher level (HL), the others at standard level (SL). Students are thus able to explore some subjects in depth and others more broadly, a deliberate compromise between the early specialization of some national systems and the breadth found in others. The science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language and the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures.

Active citizenship and global perspectives are encouraged in each area of the curriculum.

Group 1 - language A1

At Szkoła Europejska students are offered Polish A1 (HL/SL) on a taught basis. Other languages can be chosen for A1 study, but the student will need to find a tutor to assist with his/her study of the language

Group 2 - second language

• English HL/SL
• German HL/SL/ ab initio
• French HL/SL/ab initio
• Spanish HL/SL ab initio
  

Group 3 - individuals and societies

• History HL/SL
• Geography HL/SL
• Economics HL/SL
  

Group 4 - experimental sciences

• Biology HL/SL
• Chemistry HL/SL
• Physics HL/SL

Group 5 - mathematics and computer science

• Mathematics HL/SL
• Mathematical Studies

Group 6 – electives

A candidate must select an additional subject from groups 2-4.

Assessing student work and awarding the diploma

Classroom teachers and IB examiners work in partnership to ensure that students have ample opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. Grades reflect attainment of knowledge and skills relative to set standards applied equally to all schools. Responsibility for all academic judgments about the quality of candidates' work rests with some 5000 IB examiners worldwide, led by chief examiners with international authority in their fields. Students have to complete assignments, which are assessed both internally and externally, in all six subjects they study.

The grade scale used in IB schools and during examinations: 7 - excellent; 6 - very good; 5 - good; 4 - satisfactory; 3 - mediocre; 2 - poor; 1 - very poor. A student will receive additional points or will lose points for Extended Essay and TOK. Thus during the International Baccalaureate exam session a student may receive a maximum of 45 points (6 subjects x 7 = 42 , EE = 2 , TOK = 1). To get the diploma a student must have a minimum of 24 points.

The grade scale used in IB schools and during examinations: 7 - excellent; 6 - very good; 5 - good; 4 - satisfactory; 3 - mediocre; 2 - poor; 1 - very poor. A student will receive additional points or will lose points for Extended Essay and TOK. Thus during the International Baccalaureate exam session a student may receive a maximum of 45 points (6 subjects x 7 = 42, EE = 2, TOK = 1). To get the diploma a student must have a minimum of 24 points.

What is required for the award of the Diploma?

To be eligible for the award of the Diploma, all candidates must:
- complete a course of study from each of the above groups
- complete at least three and not more than four of the six subjects at higher level and others at standard level
- achieve a minimum total of 24 points out of a maximum total of 45 (each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum)
- submit an extended essay in one of the subjects of the IB Curriculum
- follow the course in Theory of Knowledge
- compete all CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) requirements.