Key Takeaways
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Choosing a school is challenging without throwing IB board and authorisation in the mix. Throw these factors and parents think they have landed up in a maze. This is completely understandable as “IB World School authorisation” isn’t something that comes up in daily conversations but a very important factor to consider nonetheless. Irrespective of that, it is surprising how little information is available to parents despite being well-versed in the process of shortlisting educational institutions for their children.
A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding IB World School Authorisation
Most parents are aware that not all schools that claim to offer IB are actually IB World Schools. This is because only those institutes that demonstrate success in all areas under the IB curriculum framework receive the authorisation to offer PYP, MYP, DP, or the Career-related Programme.
Schools that are in the process of obtaining authorisation can be referred to as “candidates’. This implies that the candidate has been found suitable to offer an IB programme but needs time to meet specific IB requirements before being affiliated with it.
This distinction is important and should definitely be taken into account by parents searching for international schools in Hyderabad.
Everything Parents Must Know About the IB Education System
The IB education system has gained immense popularity in the country with Hyderabad parents showing great interest in it.
According to ISC Research, the total number of IB schools in India increased from 192 in 202 to 276 in 2025. This is a clear indication of the demand that this curriculum enjoys considering it encourages independent thinking and offers global exposure.
In simple words, the IB education system offers a comprehensive learning approach that enables one to gain in-depth knowledge about all aspects of a particular subject. This helps to develop critical thinking which is the core strength of this programme.
Understanding the IB Curriculum Structure
The IB curriculum has a structured approach, offering different programmes for children across all ages ranging from 3 to 18 years. Here is a breakdown of the IB curriculum:
- PYP 3-12: This is a comprehensive curriculum aimed at developing one’s cognitive abilities through enhanced discovery and learning.
- MYP 11-16: This is an intense academic programme that prepares students for higher studies.
- DP 16-19: This programme fosters one’s personal and academic growth while preparing them for tertiary education.
It can be well understood from this table below that the IB curriculum follows a holistic approach towards learning wherein students learn a lot of subjects and skills throughout their educational journey.
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Programme |
Age Group |
Focus |
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3–12 |
Inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning |
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11–16 |
Rigorous, holistic academic development |
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16–19 |
Pre-university academic and personal growth |
Key Aspects Parents Must Consider While Choosing a School
While most parents searching for international schools in Hyderabad consider the IB curriculum options, there are several aspects that must not be overlooked.
- You must understand the school’s authenticity and determine if it meets the IB requirements for programmes such as the PYP, MYP and DP. It is crucial to remember that these programmes are evaluated separately, which means that it is authentic for DP.
- Understand how long the school has been operating with authorisation from IB. Ask about their renewal process as some institutions might renew this authorisation after a specific interval.
- Does the teachers training and infrastructure make genuine difference in classroom delivery and inquiry-based learning
- Review infrastructure and extracurricular offerings, since IB encourages holistic development, not just academic performance alone.
Glendale International School Hyderabad Shows How IB Education Works
Parents searching for international schools in Hyderabad can find a great example of IB ‘candidate’ status in Glendale International School. There are dedicated IB PYP and MYP in Tellapur while the Glendale Academy (Suncity Campus) specialises in IB DP . This way, students get the best of IB education according to their specific requirements.
The Tellapur campus focuses on building the foundation of young minds and preparing them for higher studies, with special emphasis on IB PYP and inquiry-based learning. The Tellapur Campus also boasts a team of highly qualified and IB-trained teachers .
Meanwhile, the Suncity campus offers IB DP for older students (aged above 16). Thus, this campus prepares students for tertiary education while developing their academic as well as personal skills. The Suncity campus follows an inquiry-based learning framework, which helps students to enhance their research skills and gain knowledge on specific topics of their choice.
When searching for international schools in Tellapur , parents can look for such transparency regarding authorisation/candidate status offered by Glendale International School. Similarly, while looking for schools in Suncity Hyderabad, parents can ask these specific questions to understand if their child’s educational needs will be met in terms of academic excellence as well as holistic development.
To learn more about the learning environment and opportunities at Glendale International School, parents can explore the Enquiry and Admissions pages for further information.
FAQs
It’s a school that has been authorised to deliver the official curriculum, including one or more of its programmes, by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.
Candidate status is a status that indicates that the school is in the process of authorised but is not yet authorised.
More and more parents are gravitating towards the IB courses because they believe that their child will get a well-rounded education, developing not only analytical skills but also a global worldview.
The IB programme encourages a spirit of inquiry and application of knowledge rather than just the acquisition and retention of facts, as is the case with most Indian curricula.
Yes, most children enrol in IB schools for the foundation course known as the PYP, which adopts a highly inquisitive approach to make learning enjoyable for kids between the ages of three and twelve.
