Over the past few weeks, Grade 8 students at The KAUST School have been diving into the world of journalism. They’ve explored different styles of writing and even set up their own media agencies to report on stories happening all around the KAUST community. From school sports and campus gardeners to cutting-edge science, coral restoration, and local start-ups — their coverage has been wide-ranging and full of energy.
Through interviews and hands-on research, these young journalists have shown real curiosity, creativity, and professionalism. As part of a fun competition, eight top articles have been chosen by TKS to appear in The LENS over the next month as part of the ‘KAUST through the lens of TKS students’. As a note, these articles reflect the students’ creative work as part of a school project and have been selected based on their creative writing skills. We hope you’ll enjoy reading their work and help us celebrate what they’ve accomplished!
The IB Diploma Program: Recommendation vs. Choice: Which to Choose?
– By Brooke Stevens, Grade 8, The KAUST School
Have you ever thought about what you would like to do in the future, but you haven’t had any options or a good education? Well, The KAUST School (TKS), located in Saudi Arabia, is a highly respected international school that provides students with an exemplary education. TKS supports students from Early Childhood to Senior year. Despite that, when you are in grade 10, you must make a very important decision about which diploma you will receive. You can take either the IB pathway or the TKS standard pathway.
Expert Matthew Stevens, one of TKS’s high school counselors, says that students should choose whatever path they feel they can meet the requirements for. “The IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program) is a program offered by the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organization) for grades 11-12. Including six full courses (L&L, I&S, Language Acquisition, Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts) chosen in grade 10, which will last two full years, it is a rigorous program that allows advanced students to take college-level courses. The TKS program is a US high school-accredited program, and you have more flexibility regarding the overall pathway.” Said Stevens.
According to the TKS website, “Many students and families also choose to pursue an IB diploma, a rigorous two-year program spanning grades 11 and 12 (ages 16-19), meaning that students at TKS can graduate with up to two high school credentials. Some students follow a modified curriculum and pursue alternative pathways.”
I was very surprised when I found out that you have to write a 4000-word essay at the end of the IB program rather than doing a research project for the TKS program. After learning this, if I were a grade 10 student, I would take my counselor’s recommendation based on what they think I would be able to complete. However, some students may not be able to handle the amount of work that others can take in, leading them to think they should choose their path rather than a recommendation.
Many students disregard teacher and counselor recommendations, causing them to choose the wrong program for their abilities, which affects their overall performance. It is very important to listen to your counselors and teachers so that they can help put you into your correct placement. You should listen to experts’ opinions, as it can lead you to struggle in the future due to wrong placement. Another way you can get information about which path to choose is by going to the college fairs provided by the school and asking them what diplomas they accept or what they are looking for. This can also help with deciding which pathway to take.
Throughout the MYP, students can learn all they need and/or want to know, and once they get to grades 9 and 10, it is essential to talk to your counselor about extra information you may need. Students will also be advised on which program they should take if they meet the requirements for both programs. These programs help students feel more international-minded and not only have the perspective of their originating country while not just learning about the subjects they are taking but also learning about other cultures, peers, other countries, etc. The main difference between the two programs is that the IB program is a lot more difficult than the standard pathway, allowing students to learn at a faster pace and about more advanced aspects of subjects.
Many students only look at the IB program because it has a higher acceptance rate than many universities, making it very difficult to decide whether to go on the standard path they might be recommended for or if they would like to push themselves for the more rigorous diploma. Many universities worldwide only accept the IB diploma, making it difficult for struggling students to gain admission to their desired university when they cannot meet the requirements for that pathway. With this information in mind, the standard diploma is also highly accepted, mainly through US universities, while the IB diploma is more for international universities throughout Europe and Asia.
Overall, TKS can support students in various ways regarding education, but when it comes to grade 10, you must think about what you would like to do in grades 11-12, whether you will take the IB path or the standard path while also regarding others’ opinions on where you will fit. While the IB path provides a diploma that many universities seek, it is a rigorous course that students must consider when choosing their correct pathway. Now, it is your turn to advocate for yourself, whether to follow the school’s recommendation or make your own choice. Which to choose?