We live in an increasingly global, interconnected world and the Halifax Grammar School recognizes the need to prepare students for success in that world. Critical thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness are at the core of what students learn and fully understand through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It is an advanced university preparatory curriculum offered in Grades 11 and 12 that provides the best possible preparation for university success. All of our Senior School students study the full IB program and some 90 per cent achieve the coveted diploma. Today, the Grammar School is widely recognized as the leading IB World School in Atlantic Canada.
The IB forms the core of the curricular program in the HGS Senior School. All of our students in Grade 10 are enrolled in a Foundation Year designed to prepare them for the full IB Diploma Program. Entering Grade 11, our students proceed into the formal two-year IB program. It is an academically challenging and balanced curriculum with final examinations reflecting world-class standards in education. Students graduating from HGS with an IB diploma are welcomed as superior candidates for admission at the world’s leading universities.
- Since 1993, the Grammar School has offered the International Baccalaureate program. Building upon the existing Grammar School curriculum, the IB at Grammar has provided our students with:
- an internationally recognized university preparatory education balancing subject breadth and depth – and exposing students to the challenge of exploring cross-disciplinary approaches to issues that matter;
- an internationally-focused curriculum encouraging the study of languages other than your own;
- a stimulating intellectual journey promoting a positive attitude toward learning and the exciting possibilities of university studies;
- a program setting high international standards as reflected in its externally-assessed examinations, essays, and projects;
- a broadening education for the whole student encompassing creative pursuits, physical activity, and service to others.
We focus all of our energies on producing graduating students who aim higher and seek more out of education. Students and teachers at Grammar aspire to be the best and to exemplify the ideals espoused in the IB Learner Profile. We at Grammar seek to produce students who strive to be: active inquirers, independent thinkers, effective communicators, intellectual risk-takers, and principled individuals who are open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective. Each year we demonstrate that the majority of our students can succeed in the full IB diploma program and can go on to university committed to pursuing these ideals.
The Grammar School continues to provide a challenging academic IB curriculum recognized for excellence far and wide across Atlantic Canada. Today, the Grammar School remains one of only six schools in Canada that has all graduating students enrolled in the full IB diploma program.
“The IB program was challenging; however, it 
taught me the importance of being disciplined. I have learned more than just academics from my teachers and coaches. When life threw me a curve ball, the Grammar community supported me and from that I have learned loyalty, friendship and trust.”
Anne Kiberd'09 will be attending Dalhousie University to study Kinesiology and play on the Varsity Women’s Basketball Team.