What Is an IB School? How Authorization, Candidacy & Recognition Work

Jamal Lewis

August 3, 2026

Authorization process, candidacy, the 4 programmes a school can offer, how to verify one

An IB school is a school that has been officially authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to teach one or more of its four programmes: PYP, MYP, DP, or CP. Authorization isn't automatic or purely a marketing label, schools go through a multi-year process of training, evaluation, and ongoing review before they can call themselves an IB World School, and they can lose that status if standards slip.

IB World Schools Explained

Only schools that have completed the IBO's authorization process may use the “IB World School” designation and teach IB programmes for credit. It matters because it means the IB label carries real weight, a school can't simply adopt IB-style teaching and call it official, it has to be verified against the IBO's standards for curriculum, teacher training, and assessment practices.

The IB Learner Profile: How School Culture Differs

Beyond academic coursework, every authorized IB World School is bound by a shared mission: developing internationally minded individuals who embody the IB Learner Profile. The framework establishes ten core attributes that teachers actively integrate into daily classroom instruction and school culture: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, and Reflective.

In practice, this means an IB school environment prioritizes inquiry-based discussions, ethical reasoning, and collaborative problem-solving over rote memorization and passive lecturing. When evaluating a school, observing whether teachers actively cultivate these attributes in everyday interactions offers a clear window into how authentically the IB philosophy is lived on campus.

How a School Becomes an IB School

Interest and consideration: The school researches which programme(s) fit its student population and completes an initial application.
Candidacy: Typically a one-to-two-year period where the school trains staff, builds curriculum aligned to IB standards, and prepares infrastructure, while operating under IBO guidance.
Verification visit: An IBO team visits the school to assess whether it meets the required standards and practices.
Authorization: Once approved, the school becomes an official IB World School and can begin teaching the programme for credit.

Even after authorization, schools go through periodic evaluation to keep their status, so “IB school” reflects an ongoing standard, not a one-time badge.

The Four Programmes a School Can Offer

A school can be authorized for one programme or several, depending on the age range it serves:

Primary Years Programme (PYP) ages 3 to 12
Middle Years Programme (MYP) ages 11 to 16
Diploma Programme (DP) ages 16 to 19
Career-related Programme (CP) ages 16 to 19

A “continuum school” offers all four, giving students a single consistent framework from early childhood through the end of secondary school. Many schools, however, offer only the DP, often layered on top of a different curriculum in earlier years.

Public vs Private IB Schools

IB schools are not exclusively private. While many well-known IB World Schools are independent or international schools, a growing number of state-funded public schools around the world including in the US, Ecuador, and parts of Europe offer IB programmes, particularly the DP, at no extra tuition cost to students.

Online IB World Schools & Remote Subject Offerings

In recent years, the IBO has expanded authorization to include fully online IB World Schools as well as approved digital course providers. For students who travel frequently, live in remote regions, or require flexible learning schedules, fully accredited online IB institutions deliver the complete Diploma Programme through virtual classrooms and moderated digital assessments.

Furthermore many traditional brick-and-mortar IB World Schools partner with official online platforms. If a physical school lacks the staff to offer specific niche courses such as Mandarin B, Psychology, or IT in a Global Society. These courses are taught by certified IB instructors and count directly toward the student's official IB Diploma requirements.

How to Find and Verify an IB School

Use the IBO's official “Find an IB World School” directory to confirm a school's authorization status and which programmes it offers
Check whether the school is “authorized” or still in “candidate” status and candidate schools can't yet award the full DP diploma
Ask directly which programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, CP) the school is authorized for, since this varies even among IB schools

What to Look for When Choosing an IB School

Range and depth of subject offerings, especially at Higher Level
Support structures for the Extended Essay and CAS, not just classroom teaching
Track record of DP results and university placements
Teacher experience with IB-specific training and assessment
Access to mock exams and past-paper practice ahead of final assessments

Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing an IB School

While official IBO authorization ensures baseline quality, operational standard differences can still impact a student's day-to-day experience. When visiting or interviewing prospective schools, be cautious of the following warning signs:

Unclear Candidate Status: Schools that advertise "IB Curriculum Offered" without explicitly clarifying whether they are fully authorized or still in candidate status. Candidate schools cannot guarantee their final authorization timeline or award official diplomas.
Restrictive Subject Tracks: Institutions that severely limit subject combinations (e.g., forcing all students into specific HL tracks) or do not allow students to take two Group 4 sciences when applying for competitive medical or engineering pathways.
High Faculty Turnover: IB teaching requires specialized, ongoing training. A school with high staff turnover may struggle with teacher continuity, leaving students with instructors who are unfamiliar with IB Internal Assessment (IA) moderations or grading criteria.
Isolated Core Coordination: Schools where Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and CAS are treated as last-minute administrative additions rather than structured courses with dedicated mentors throughout the two-year program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an "IB Candidate School" and a fully authorized "IB World School"?
An IB Candidate School is in the 1- to 2-year process of training staff and aligning its facility with International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) standards. However, candidate status is not a guarantee of final approval, and these schools cannot officially award IB diplomas.
Only a fully authorized IB World School has passed the official IBO verification visit and is licensed to deliver assessments and grant recognized qualifications.

Can public state schools offer IB programmes or are they private-only?
IB programmes are not exclusive to private or international schools. Thousands of state-funded public schools globally offer IB programmes especially the Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP).
In many regions, public schools run the IB as an advanced magnet track, allowing local students to access a globally standardized curriculum tuition-free.

How do I check if an IB school's DP subject options fit my university goals?
Because university majors often require specific Higher Level (HL) subjects, you should review a school’s exact subject matrix before enrolling. Not all schools offer every subject].
Additionally, look at their average diploma pass rates and whether they offer dedicated coordination for core requirements like the Extended Essay and CAS.

Can an IB World School lose its official authorization?
Yes. IB authorization is an ongoing standard, not a permanent badge. The IBO evaluates authorized schools every five years to inspect teaching quality, resources, and administration. If a school fails to maintain required global standards during these evaluations, the IBO can place it on probation or revoke its status entirely.

Is an "IB Continuum School" better than a school that only offers the Diploma Programme (DP)?
An IB Continuum School offers all four programmes (PYP, MYP, DP, CP), giving students a continuous inquiry-based education from ages 3 to 19. This creates a smooth transition into the DP because students are already familiar with IB learning styles.
However, it is not required. Students coming from standard national curricula transition into the DP just as successfully with strong baseline study skills.

Already at an IB school? Whatever subjects your school offers, Baccalytics has free mock exams and practice questions to help you prepare explore our full library by subject on the Mock Exams page.