Welcome to the IB Diploma Programme at St. Dominic High School
HISTORY
In April 2010, IB North America authorized the implementation of the Diploma Programme at St Dominic High School (SDHS). As an IB World School, St Dominic shares a common philosophy with other IB schools around the world, a commitment to high quality, challenging, internationally recognized education that St Dominic High School believes is important for students on St. Maarten. We are proud to be the first government subsidized school in the Caribbean to offer the IB Diploma Programme.
THE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a challenging programme for motivated high school students. It offers a broad education, with students studying courses across six academic areas. The programme encourages both strong academic learning and international understanding. The IB aims to develop students who are curious, knowledgeable and caring. It encourages young people to understand and respect different cultures and perspectives, and to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners.
The IB works with schools, governments and international organizations around the world to provide high-quality international education and assessment.
Students can begin the Diploma Programme at age 16, 17, 18 or 19.
Why Consider the IB diploma Programme?
- Strong preparation for university-level study
- Develops key skills like Critical thinking, Research and writing, Time management, Problem-solving
- Widely accepted by top universities globally. See List of Universities Here
- Encourages a balanced education (strong academics, creativity, reflection, service)
- Helps students stand out in competitive university applications
- Many students earning the IB Diploma are awarded advanced college credit at various universities around the world. Many highly competitive colleges and universities recognize the IB Diploma for admissions and/or advanced standing.
FLEXIBLE PATHS. ONE IB COMMUNITY.
Research
Before selecting your subjects, it would be helpful to have an idea of what you plan to study in University. Visit the University Websites to see the IB subjects and levels (HL or SL) Universities require for your career choice.
Recognition
IB is an International Programme that is recognized by many Universities around the World. Have a look at the database of Universities that recognize the IB Diploma programme.
Levels
Consider the levels you need to take the subjects in. Each subject can be taken as Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL). HL subjects comprise 240 teaching hours over 2 years while Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours over 2 years. HL demonstrates a greater body of knowledge.
Select
Diploma Candidates need atleast 6 subjects. You must have at least 3 HL Subjects.
Choosing Your Subjects
Diploma Student
Complete the full IB Diploma Programme by studying 6 IB subjects together with the three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity,
Service (CAS). Students work toward earning the internationally recognized IB Diploma over the two years of the programme. If you opt to take a 7th Subject, you must pay for examination fees for the additional subject.
Course Student
Choose individual IB subjects based on your strengths, interests, and future goals. You may choose between 1 or more IB subjects you take and you do not complete TOK, EE, or CAS. After successfully
completing the two-year programme and official IB examinations, students receive an IB Course Certificate for each subject completed.
If you do not intend to take visual arts, you may select your 6th subject from Group 2 (Language Acquisition), Group 3 (individuals and societies) or Group 4 (Sciences).
Click on each individual Subject below to view detailed information about the Subject.
Group 1 - Language and Literature
Group 2 - Language Acquisition
Group 3 - Individuals & Societies
Group 4 - Sciences
Group 5 - Mathematics
Group 6 - The Arts
Each Diploma Student must also complete the following core Subjects. (Course Students do not take these core Subjects).
What is the Application Process?
- Complete the Application Form Online (CLICK HERE TO APPLY)
- a. Must have predicted grades
- b. Must email all required documents to ibinfo@stdominichigh.org
- c. Students will be required to submit short personal statements.
- Complete and submit the online Psychometric/Educational Assessments and other assesments. Relevant links will be shared following receipt of application.
- The Admissions Committee and IB Teachers will review all incoming applications.
- Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application via email by the pre-determined date. This would usually be within the first two weeks in June.
- Applicants who are offered a place must accept or decline the offer by the pre-determined date.
- Once offer has been accepted, applicant will be required to submit remaining registration documents and pay the parental contribution.
IB Programme Fees
The St. Dominic High School is subsidized by government for the majority of its expenses. However the subsidy will not cover all the costs of the IB programme; therefore, the following fee will be charged.
IB Uniform – St. Dominic High School
Fee Structure (Annual/ Per Year)
Final Official Exam Cost
Additional Costs
IB Uniform
How to Make Payments
IB Class of 2026 Registration for the Academic Year: 2024-2025
Date
Monday, June 17, 2024
Time
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Requirement for SDHS students:
Copy of recent Census Registration Form
(not older than 6 months)
Copy of Passport or Resident Permit
(for Non-Dutch Nationals)
Documents Required with Application
Predicted grades statement
(If not yet graduated)
Official Highschool Transcript
(For all applicants)
2 Teacher letters of Recommendation
(For all applicants)
Copy of Passport and/or Resident Permit
(For all applicants)
Registration form from Census Office
No older than 6 months (for all applicants)
1 Passport Photo
(For non-St Dominic High School Students)
Immunization record
(For all applicants)
Complete Online Assessments
(Links will be shared with you after submitting application)
Complete all personal statements and essays
(Found on the application form)
Complete application form
(Accessed by clicking the submit your application button below)
All documents should be sent to ibinfo@stdominichigh.org
IB Documents
Declaration of Awareness of Plagiarism
Declaration of Awareness of Plagiarism
Application Process & Important Dates
For 2027 Enrollment
Application Portal Opens
February 25, 2027 (12:00 AM)
- Visit St Dominic High School website
- Navigate to the IB Diploma Programme page
- Application form accessible online
Application Deadline
April 9, 2027 (11:45 PM)
- Complete and submit application
- Email all supporting documents to ibinfo@stdominichigh.org
Application Review Period
April 23 - June 1, 2027
- Applications reviewed by the Admission Committee
Application Outcome Email
June 10, 2027
- Email notification confirming application result
Accept / Decline Offer
By June 13, 2027
- Accept or decline admission offer
Registration Deadline
June 22, 2027
- Attend St Dominic High School Office to Complete Registration
- 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Parental contribution payment due
IB Diploma Programme Admissions Criteria
ADMISSIONS
Applicants will be considered for the IB Diploma Programme based on academic performance, but also the personal qualities and beliefs which we believe are essential for success in the IB programme.
As part of the application process, applicants will complete online Assessments and will be required to submit personal statements and other supporting documents. These will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and a team of IB teachers.
The team will assess each applicant’s decision to enroll in the IB Diploma Programme. The aim is to determine if the applicant is suitable for the learning environment and possesses the growth mindset to embody the IB learner profile attributes.
Admissions Criteria (AC1, AC2, AC3 and AC4)
Applicants to the St. Dominic High School IB Programme are assessed using four main Admission Criteria :
AC1(a) / AC1(b)
Academic Performance: Academic results, predicted grades and English performance.
The Admissions Committee will examine the student’s academic performance. Academic Transcripts, predicted Grades, Math and English Performance and
AC2
Personal Statement & Skills: Personal statements and demonstrated skills.
This criterion will assess the candidate’s passion, skills and fit with the IB Learner Profile. Referring to the applicant’s personal statements and application, the admissions committee will examine the student’s interests, skills and ways of learning and working and motivation to study in the IB Programme.
AC3
Extracurricular Activities & Service: Participation in extracurricular activities, service and other areas of involvement.
The Admissions Committee will examine the students’ resumé of extracurricular activities and their:
- Abilities to meet challenges
- Leadership qualities and teamwork
- Determination, resilience, life balance
- Responsibility to society
AC4
Recommendations: Recommendations submitted in support of the applicant.
The Admissions Committee will refer to the student’s academic ability and potential. The IB is a challenging programme and requires a student to be diligent, organized and possess independent learning skills. The Admissions Committee will refer to the student’s letters of recommendation.
Diploma Programme Eligibility
Applicants who meet AC1A, AC2, AC3 and AC4 during the application process are eligible for admission to the St. Dominic High School IB Programme as Diploma students.
Course Programme Eligibility
Applicants who meet AC1B, AC2, AC3 and AC4 during the application process are also eligible for admission to the St. Dominic High School IB Programme as Diploma students.
Course candidates will be admitted based on availability of space (if there are less than 25 candidates) in the selected subject offered in the following groups: 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
ARE YOU READY TO BEGIN YOUR IB JOURNEY AT ST DOMINIC HIGH?
We are excited to welcome you to our IB Programme. Following your 2 years in the IB Programme, you will be well prepared for University and will develop Leadership, Service and Critical Thinking Skills.
DP YEAR PLANS
| DP YEAR 1 | DP YEAR 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Studies in Language and Literature | ||
| English A Literature |
ENG-1 
|
ENG-1
|
| Dutch B |
Dutch B
|
ENG-1
|
| Mathematics | ||
| Analysis and Approaches |
Analysis and Approaches
|
Analysis and Approaches
|
| Applications and Interpretation | ||
Virtual Spanish Exchange
St Dominic High School and Elian’s British School of La Nucia Collaborate on Virtual Spanish Exchange
St Dominic High School’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is excited to announce a collaborative initiative with Elian’s British School of La Nucia in Alicante, Spain. This innovative virtual Spanish exchange will bring together students from diverse backgrounds, fostering global connections while enhancing language proficiency in an international and real-world context.
The participating class from Elian’s British School includes students hailing from Russia, Great Britain, France, and Sweden. On the St. Maarten side of the virtual exchange, students from St. Dominic represent Jamaica, Bolivia, Columbia, St. Maarten, China, India, and Guyana. This unique blend of cultural perspectives promises to create a rich and dynamic environment for the students and teachers that transcends traditional methods and approaches to teaching and learning.
Spanish Language teachers Ms. Agata Plein of St. Dominic High and Ms. J. Cristina Fuster of Elian’s British School designed this year-long collaborative project with the primary focus centered around in-depth discussions on key topics such as health and lifestyle, identity, experiences, holidays, and travel. By delving into these subjects, students aim to not only improve their fluency in Spanish but also to develop a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures and perspectives. to express their opinions and ideas in Spanish, contributing to their linguistic development.
The virtual exchange will be facilitated through the newly renovated and redesigned E-library at St. Dominic High School, allowing students to use their digital devices in collaborative spaces to engage in real-time conversations with their counterparts in Spain. The project’s overarching objective is to provide students with opportunities to express their opinions and ideas, while fostering open dialogue and encouraging the discovery of commonalities with citizens across the globe.
Ms. Marie T. Richardson, coordinator of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at St. Dominic High School, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is one way to break down geographical barriers and create an opportunity for cultural exchange. Our students can engage with their peers from different corners of the world who are also studying in the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Programme. This goes beyond language learning; it’s about building bridges and understanding diverse perspectives.”
Additionally, this project aligns with the schools’ commitment and IB’s educational mission of promoting international-mindedness and cultivating well-rounded global citizens. By leveraging technology to bridge geographical gaps, St Dominic High School and Elian’s British School are pioneering new ways of fostering cross-cultural connections in education.
For more information about this collaborative initiative or the IB Diploma Programme at St. Dominic High School, please contact:
