Taking on one of the world’s most challenging high school academic programs, WAB students have once again shown they are destined for success at university and beyond.
In this year’s IB Diploma Programme exams, the WAB Class of 2021 proved their status as exceptional learners who are bound to use their academic strength to make a difference in the world.
WAB’s average score was 36 out of 45, a full three points higher than the world average. More than 20% of students scored 40 or more, and three students achieved a 44. WAB had a pass rate of 99%, nearly of quarter of whom completed a bilingual diploma.
“Not only did our students’ marks reflect the outstanding learning they have experienced over the past two years, but when you look at the results in detail, you see that they scored highly across a range of disciplines, including science, arts, math, and languages and literature,” WAB DP Coordinator Scott Lindner said. “This collective success across subjects was also reflected among individual students, who demonstrated their holistic, well-rounded academic success.”
The courses that stood out well above the world average included English Language and Literature Higher Level, Psychology Higher Level, Biology Standard Level, Math Higher Level, Math App & Int Higher Level, Mandarin Ab Initio, and Film Higher Level.
Furthermore, two-thirds of the 2021 cohort received bonus marks for Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE), which are known as the core of the Diploma Programme. While the subject courses require more traditional exams, TOK and EE assess students’ abilities to take their understanding of content, connect it to their personal interests, and apply it to life outside of school.
“Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay take learning beyond the classroom, beyond the exam, and connect it to life beyond school,” Scott said. “We connect the learning in TOK and EE to subject disciplines, helping students understand why they are studying these courses, and we support them in their efforts to give their learning a purpose that goes beyond strictly academics and into life.”
WAB graduates Jack Duhon and Iris Liu are two great examples of this type of learning. Jack wrote his extended essay assessing the impacts of financial inequality in his hometown of Durham, North Carolina. After graduation, he returned to his hometown to study economics at Duke University. Iris investigated COVID-19 treatments for her Extended Essay and is now studying medicine at the University of Hong Kong.
“[The EE] helped me understand the essence of science,” Iris said on The WAB Podcast. “My biology subject Extended Essay also became chemistry, physics, bioinformatics. I even looked into the humanities side of things. Research isn’t really inside one subject. We’re trying to categorize these subjects by our own understanding, but research is such an open-ended process that nothing really limits our knowledge.”
Many students also give credit to their teachers for supporting their academic journeys. Several members of the WAB faculty are IB examiners and have worked directly with the IB to understand and then adapt to changes related to the pandemic, which allowed WAB to take deep dives into individual disciplines and focus on essential learning.
For the second time in the school’s history, WAB named two students from its Class of 2021 – Imme K. and Katarina K. – as Confucius Scholars. The award is given to students who are top scholars and exemplify the characteristics of the IB Learner Profile.
During Imme’s 11 years at WAB, she progressed through the IB’s three programs and took part in several leadership, arts, and community activities. She is now taking a dual bachelor’s of arts program between Sciences Po in France and Columbia University in New York City.
“The entire WAB faculty has been incredibly supportive, even teachers that aren’t working directly with you,” Imme said. “For example, Ms. McMullen has really fostered in me a sense to learn in order to serve greater purpose. At WAB, the dedication of teachers towards our learning encourages us to reciprocate that energy and bring our best into our work. Without the support of the entire WAB community, I would not have been able to get past the rigor of IB and actually enjoy the process.”
“Our teachers are well-known for how much work they put in to support students and care for them throughout their time at WAB and throughout the Diploma Programme process,” Scott said. “Our students deserve the credit for their dedication and commitment, and we are grateful to our teachers who offered individual support to help each student achieve success.”
“This is an outstanding success for a school as diverse and inclusive as WAB,” WAB’s Head of School Dr. Marta Medved Krajnovic said. “It clearly shows that WAB encourages and supports all students to challenge themselves and achieve academically in a diverse range of disciplines. We encourage them to make connections across disciplines and with the world beyond school.”
“WAB graduates leave school as young people who are not only skilled and knowledgeable, but also well balanced and kind,” Marta continued. “We hope that they will carry WAB core values with them, never stop learning and reflecting, and as competent global citizens, positively impact the world and people around them.”
Congratulations, WAB Class of 2021!