International Baccalaureate (IB)
Abbotsford Senior Secondary School is honoured to offer the International Baccalaureate programme for all Abbotsford School District students.
Applications for out-of-catchment students going into grades 9, 10 and 11 who are interested in our Global Connections or the IB programme are now being accepted for September 2026. These seats are limited and dependent on available space at the school. Download the appropriate application form found under the "Apply Now" button below.
Global Connections – Grades 9 & 10
Global Connections are designed for students who are interested in not only the International Baccalaureate program, but for any student that has a passion for one of the core academic subject areas.
These courses are combine the BC curriculum with the IB philosophy with the goal of developing all participants to be principled thinkers and communicators, who care about and seek to understand the world around them. In every subject, you’ll build strong skills, explore big ideas, and learn how to communicate your thoughts clearly. These courses encourage curiosity, collaboration, and confidence as you explore your passion and develop your skills for senior academic classes.
Note: These courses are open to all students. Students do not have select all Global Connections classes to be eligible for the IB program in grade 11.
Key dates for the September 2026 intake:
- March 13th: Deadline to submit IB application
- April - May: Applicants will be contacted for an interview if needed
- June: Applicants notified as to whether their application has been approved, denied, or deferred to a waitlist.
The application deadline for IB is Friday, March 13, 2026.
If your child is currently a student at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School, there is no application process for the IB Programme as students can self-select IB courses of their interest during course selection.
IB Retreat 2026
The 2026 IB Retreat is scheduled for October 1-2 at Zajac Ranch in Mission. This is a mandatory retreat for all IB Diploma students. The cost for the retreat is $150 and will be added to School Cash Online during the first week of school in September. The fee is due by September 16th.
About the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme
Students who live within the Abbotsford Senior Secondary School catchment may self-select into the Global Connections or IB Programme and do not need to formally apply. Students who live out of catchment must submit an application by March 13, 2026 (see the applicable application for submission details), with acceptance based on space availability. If applicants are not notified by June, final acceptance decisions will be communicated by the end of August or early September. There are no minimum course requirements for out-of-catchment students; however, a meeting with the IB Coordinator and/or administration is required. Out-of-catchment students will be reviewed each semester and may be returned to their catchment school if they do not meet IB Learner Profile expectations, including attendance and conduct. Grade 11 IB courses have a fee of $150 per course (up to $450 maximum, with savings for taking four or more courses), which is non-refundable if a student chooses not to continue into Year 2.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the IB Coordinator, Loreen Craig, at Loreen.Craig@abbyschools.ca
What Are IB Graduates Saying?
Abbotsford Senior Secondary School IB DP Grad 2016:
Being a part of the IB Program gave me the opportunity to challenge myself academically. It allowed me to make the most of my high school education, as well as prepared me for the harder and more independent course load of university. Many of the writing skills I developed during my time in IB were what helped me excel in my university papers.
Abbotsford Senior Secondary School IB DP Grad 2016:
The IB Program allows the student to delve deeper into school subjects than you would in regular courses and takes you to a university experience where you will come prepared with an amazing set of problem-solving and creative-thinking skills.
Abbotsford Senior Secondary School IB DP Grad 2021:
Though IB was challenging, it helped me tremendously in my degree, both content wise and study habits. I definitely recommend it!