GNS IB Diploma Students Celebrate Exceptional Exam Results

For almost 30 years, GNS has been at the forefront of nurturing personal and academic excellence through its participation in the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Renowned globally for its thorough university preparation, IB takes a holistic approach to education by blending high academic standards with meaningful engagement in artistic, athletic and service activities. 

We are bursting with pride as we celebrate the Class of 2024 and their outstanding achievements. This exceptional group of 78 students received 348 post-secondary offers in total, from nearby UVic and UBC, to highly regarded institutions like Harvard and Oxford. They have collectively earned over $2.5 million in scholarships and an average of five admission offers each from schools from around the world.

The well-rounded IB curriculum encourages students to explore topics independently and take action on issues that resonate on a personal level. The IB Programme’s emphasis on independent research, critical thinking and global awareness has equipped GNS students with the tools to excel in diverse fields while also honouring one’s unique interests and individual pathways.  

2024 graduate, Delaney How, said of the IB Programme that it helped her get into the universities she applied to. “[Universities] took quite an interest in my IB classes,” she said. “I found my IB Language and Literature class to be really helpful in allowing me to write more clearly and really get my ideas across. I learned a lot in my IB Chemistry classes, and I feel very set up for any science degree, and I’ve really enjoyed learning all about chemistry. My last IB class is IB Theatre, and it’s really helped me grow as a person and a public speaker, being able to talk on stage and gain confidence.” 

In the DP, students receive grades ranging from 7 to 1, with 7 being the highest. Students receive a grade for each DP course attempted. A student’s final diploma result score is made up of the combined scores for each subject for a maximum of 42. The diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance including successful completion of the three essential elements of the DP core, which can contribute up to 3 additional points to the overall DP score.

An impressive 19% of Diploma Candidate students earned a score of 40 or above, while 27% received three additional points for their Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge marks, a significant achievement compared to the global average of 11%. Over half of our Diploma Candidates (54%) earned a score of 35 or above, with the average total score reaching an impressive 35, which is above the world average of 30.3. 

The pass rate of 92% exceeded the global average of 80.1%, and GNS’ five-year average pass rate stands at 94.7%, compared to the global average of 84%. 

24 students in this graduating class were granted Inclusive Assessment Arrangements to ensure that they could fully engage in learning, teaching and assessment. These arrangements help reduce and remove barriers by providing access to a word processor, sitting exams in a separate setting or providing extra time for exam completion. 

“Every graduating class has a unique essence that reflects each student’s character and contributions. Among the 2024 graduates, there were activists, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, innovators and scientists, to name a few,” said Angie Girard, GNS IB Diploma Coordinator. 

Throughout their Diploma Programme journey, Mme. Girard said that each student exemplified the IB Learner Profile attributes in spades—Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, Reflective and Persevering—at different stages of their learning. 

“In doing so, they embraced a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success and demonstrated a commitment to help all members of our school community learn to respect themselves, others and the world around them.”

These high achieving students are set to pursue a wide range of programs, including Anthropology, Arts, Biology, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Performance Production, Sciences, Software Engineering and many more. 

2024 graduate, Analee Obrocea, highlighted the IB Programme’s emphasis on developing well-rounded students. She appreciated how the programme helped to strengthen areas where students might be weaker, such as the arts or writing, ensuring they’re well-prepared for university and ready to pursue a wide range of interests. Analee is moving onto University College London with a passionate interest in Human Sciences.

“Having the IB Programme has been really great for University Prep because it’s really taught me how to plan my time. It enabled me whenever I had any questions to reach out for help from teachers, because it’s pretty individualized and very personal, which is great. If you’re struggling in anything, the teachers are always keen to help you out,” said Analee. 

Another 2024 graduate pursuing Kinesiology on his eventual path to Medical School, Luka Hurschler, said that the IB Programme creates a closer-knit community between the Grade 11 and 12 students. “Particularly Grade 11 and 12, but the school as a whole benefits from the IB programme because it’s the same programme, roughly, for everyone.” 

The IB Programme helped Kevin Lim, a 2024 graduate and Harvard-bound student, develop his self-management skills and get ahead on the preparation required to excel in post-secondary. With a passion for healthcare, he is aiming to become a physician or physician-researcher, and for that he’ll be studying biomedical engineering at Harvard University this fall. “The more rigorous two-year program has helped me really develop a stronger and genuine interest in the sciences, especially in the more selective engineering part, like for example, biomedical engineering. I’ve been able to really explore that sort of mathematical and scientific aspect,” said Kevin.

Kevin and fellow student Elvis Chow achieved the highest IB exam scores of 43 in this year’s graduating class. 

Over the years, GNS students consistently demonstrate their commitment to high achievement, reflecting the enduring capacity of the IB Diploma Programme. As they enter the world in well-rounded fashion, they are prepared for further academic success and a lifetime of continual learning. The GNS community is deeply proud of our 2024 students, and we look forward to watching their bright futures unfold.