IB Diploma Prgramme
ADMISSION POLICY
IB mission statement
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
School mission statement
Druga gimnazija Sarajevo teaches and encourages students to learn, nurture their talents and apply them to various challenges of today. It introduces young people to a rich world of friendship, tolerance and intercultural understanding, while guiding them to think critically, be just and socially responsible.
Our belief
At Druga gimnazija Sarajevo the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Diploma Programme) is open to all students regardless of their ethnic, religious or racial background. The school admits the students who enter the final two years of their secondary education and who are considered capable of completing the IB Diploma Program successfully according to predetermined admission criteria. We admit students from our school, other local schools as well as international students.
Admission requirements
To be considered for enrollment at Druga gimnazija Sarajevo - IB Diploma Programme, candidates must meet the following academic and personal requirements:
- Submit a personal essay highlighting their involvement in PP/SA/DKU activities or extracurricular interests.
- Successfully complete an admission interview that evaluates the candidate's maturity, responsibility, and motivation to meet the programme's rigorous requirements, as well as probes further into the points given in the personal essay.
- Demonstrate excellent overall academic performance in previous studies.
- Meet specific subject requirements:
o For Bosnian nationals: Maintain excellent or very good academic standing in Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian language, Mathematics, and English language during the previous two years of secondary education
o For international students: Maintain excellent or very good academic standing in Mathematics and English language
The school evaluates academic records to assess each student's foundation skills in language proficiency, mathematical ability, reasoning, logical thinking, and analytical capabilities, all of which are essential for success in the programme.
Orientation classes and resit examinations
Students who do not initially meet the required academic standards may qualify for admission through our supplementary assessment process. The school offers:
- Orientation classes in Mathematics, English, and Bosnian language (or other relevant subjects)
- Opportunity to demonstrate academic readiness through resit examinations
These additional assessments allow candidates to prove their capability to successfully engage with the IB Diploma Programme curriculum. The purpose of this process is to ensure that all admitted students possess the necessary foundation to thrive in the programme, regardless of their initial academic results.
Admission timeline and information sessions
The admission process commences during the spring semester with a mandatory information session for all prospective students and their parents/guardians. While the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator is available throughout the academic year to address inquiries about the admissions process, attendance at this initial presentation is required for all applicants.
a. Program presentations for students and parents. The process begins with presentations held to interested students and parents in which the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator explains all the important details about the IB Diploma Program at Druga gimnazija Sarajevo, including the information about the IBO, IB Diploma Programme curriculum, subjects offered, size of groups, IB Diploma Programme core, assessment, IB diploma recognition and other IB Diploma Programme admissions requirements.
b. Subject- specific presentations. The school organizes several small workshops where all IB Diploma Programme subject teachers can present their subjects to interested students explaining the HL/SL syllabus and subject specific requirements, but also answer subject-related questions.
c. Subject selection guide. To help families make big decisions regarding program and subject selections, the school prepares subject selection guide to ensure that they make informed choices that comply with the arrangements of Druga gimnazija Sarajevo and the rules of the IB Diploma Program.
d. Preliminary subject-choice survey. It is, in a sense, a wish list. Results of the survey help the school counselor to profile students and help them with the final choice of subjects. Also, the school uses the responses to preliminary check the subject availability based on the numbers of interested students.
e. Counselor advisory meetings. School counselor meets with students and help them make the final decision regarding the subject choice that fits the best their future interests.
f. Revision classes. In order to support students that do not meet admission criteria but would like to apply for the IB education, the school organizes preoperational classes in Bosnian language, English language and Mathematics. After they finish the preparation, students can take the entrance exams.
g. Application process and final subject choice. The application week starts in mid-June but the entrance examinations and interviews are held in late June. All applicants must download the application form from the school website and return it completed to the IB DP Coordinator before the deadline. The school notifies all applicants on their final status.
Student profile and interview process
Successful candidates at Druga gimnazija Sarajevo must exemplify the IB Learner Profile characteristics. The ideal candidate demonstrates:
- An inquiring and open mindset
- Academic diligence and reliability
- Strong communication skills
- Enthusiasm for learning
- Excellent time-management and organizational abilities
All applicants must participate in a comprehensive interview conducted by the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator and school counselor. Language teachers may join the interview panel when relevant. During this evaluation, candidates will:
a. Present their academic and personal background
b. Engage in discussions on unfamiliar topics
c. Demonstrate their analytical and critical thinking abilities
The interview assessment criteria include:
- Language proficiency and accuracy
- Critical thinking, clarity and coherence of ideas
- Understanding of and respect for academic standards and alignment with IB learner profile attributes
Regulation of subject selection
a. Subject acceptance. Minimum number of students per group/subject is five. Maximum number of students per group/ subject is eighteen. If the group exceeds allowed numbers, students will be grouped based on their overall success and target subject results. The others choose the other subject of interest.
b. Changing the subject choice. Students have an opportunity to make changes to their subject choices, and levels, in early September but only if the timetable, and class size allow. Students should be aware that it will never be possible to suit the individual needs of every student, but the school will try to create groups and the timetable that matches the needs of the majority.
c. Taking four HL subjects. Based on the individual student’s needs and abilities in the subject area, the school may allow students in the IB Diploma Programme to select up to 4 subjects at the higher level (HL).
d. Core components. The three core requirements of the IB Diploma Programme - TOK (Theory of knowledge), CAS (Creativity, action and service) and EE (Extended essay) are compulsory for students following the full Diploma Program.
e. School Supported Self-Taught Language A. Druga gimnazija Sarajevo values the linguistic diversity of its student body and supports students whose mother tongue is not among the Languages A currently offered by the school. These students may choose to study their mother tongue as a self-taught Language A: Literature course within their IB subject selection. The school provides organizational support and guidance by assigning a supervisor who monitors the student’s progress and ensures that the course meets IB requirements. All roles, responsibilities, and possible arrangements related to the self-taught course—including the involvement of tutors—are defined in the school’s Language Policy.
Students transferring from other IB schools
Druga gimnazija Sarajevo accepts students have started the IB Diploma Programme at other IB school on condition that:
- the school currently offers the subjects they studied in previous school
- chosen subject groups do not exceed allowed numbers Transferring student needs to submit reports and transcripts from previous school that confirm they was enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme.
The school does not accept students have started other national/international schools (offering different educational programs) after the school year starts or in the Year two of the IB Diploma Programme.
Admission criteria
In the admission process for the IB Diploma Programme at Druga gimnazija Sarajevo, candidates are assessed based on both academic performance and personal qualities aligned with the IB learner profile.
A total of 100 points is awarded during the selection process, distributed as follows:
- 55% (55 points) – Based on the candidate’s grades from the previous two school years.
These grades reflect the student’s academic consistency, effort, and readiness to take on the demands of the IB Diploma Programme. Particular attention is given to performance in key subjects such as Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian language, English, and Mathematics. - 45% (45 points) – Based on the admission interview and personal essay.
The interview and essay are assessed using clearly defined rubrics that evaluate:
o Language use
o Critical thinking demonstrated in the interview
o Alignment with the IB learner profile based on the personal essay
This balanced approach ensures that students are not only academically prepared but also personally motivated and aligned with the values of the IB.
Applicants can download the application form from the school website: www.2gimnazija.edu.ba
Annexes
Annex 1: Admission flow
Annex 2: Admission criteria with descriptors.
Annex 3: Prescribed application form.
IB Diploma Programme admission criteria
