ᐅ High School in Como with IB ᐅ International School of Como

High School Education in Como

IBDP and IBCP Programmes - Ages 16 to 19

At our High School in Como, students in Grades 12 and 13 can choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) for the third and final stage of the IB Continuum.

The IBDP is globally recognised as the gold standard of pre-university education, culminating in external examinations assessed by the IB Organisation. The IBCP offers a flexible framework that combines academic study with career-related learning, allowing students to pursue subjects that genuinely interest them while developing transferable, lifelong skills.

Through both our High School programmes in Como, students develop the future-ready skills, attitudes and values necessary for success at university and in the globalised workplace.

Index:

1. Why Choose Our High School in Como
2. Italian National Diploma Equivalence
3. High School Programme: IBDP
4. IBDP Curriculum
5. IBDP Subjects
6. IBDP Assessment
7. High School Programme: IBCP
8. IBCP Curriculum
9. IBCP Subjects
10. IBCP Assessment
11. How IBDP and IBCP Compare
12. High School Language Programme
13. High School Facilities
14. Learning from Exceptional High School Teachers
15. Extracurricular Activities for High School Students
16. Enriching Opportunities for Our High School Students

Why Choose Our High School in Como

Choosing our High School in Como ensures that your child receives outstanding academic preparation, comprehensive university support, and a well-rounded educational experience supported by the world’s leading pre-university qualification.

Italian National Diploma Equivalence

In the final years of High School, students have access to a tailored subject selection within the Diploma Programme list, offering a range of strategic pathways that lead to the equivalent of the Italian National Diploma. Similar to the IBCP structure, the right combination of exams allows students to obtain legal equivalence to the State Exam, officially endorsed by MIUR, securing a nationally recognised qualification.

High School Programme: IBDP

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a challenging and rewarding two-year course of study designed to thoroughly prepare students aged 16 to 18 for success at university and beyond. It offers a structured curriculum that combines rigour with flexibility, allowing students to tailor their learning experience according to their interests and academic profiles.

IBDP Curriculum

At our High School in Como, in addition to the IBDP core components, students must study subjects from six subject groups representing different academic areas. These include two modern languages, history, experimental science, mathematics, and either visual arts, a third language, or another Science or Humanities subject. This framework encourages students to study a broad range of disciplines tailored to their future university and career aspirations.

IBDP Subjects

Three subjects are chosen at Higher Level (HL), and the remaining three at Standard Level (SL). High school students can select their subjects flexibly, depending on which areas they wish to study in greater depth for their future university plans. At both levels, students develop a range of skills, particularly critical thinking and analysis.

Group 1 / Language & Literature or Literature – English, Italian, Self-taught Language A (private tutor)
Group 2 / Language Acquisition – English, Italian, Spanish, French, German
Group 3 / Individuals & Societies – History, Geography, Business Management
Group 4 / Sciences – Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS)
Group 5 / Mathematics – Analysis & Approaches, Applications & Interpretations
Group 6 / The Arts or selected additional subjects from Groups 2/3/4 – Spanish ab initio, Visual Arts, Music, Economics, Chemistry
Core Components (compulsory for all students): TOK (Theory of Knowledge), Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)

IBDP Assessment

At the end of the DP course, students’ achievements are evaluated through external examinations in their chosen subjects. Many subjects also involve tasks that are internally assessed by the teachers and externally moderated by the International Baccalaureate. Each separate grade (between 1 and 7 points) is summated to produce a combined score, with the Extended Essay and TOK potentially adding extra points, up to a maximum of 45. Students are also required to fulfil the CAS component to successfully complete their IBDP course.

High School Programme: IBCP

The IBCP is designed for students who want a more personalised, applied and future-focused pathway. While the IBDP is academically broad and typically geared towards university preparation, the IBCP blends IB courses with career-related learning. This allows students to specialise early, discover their strengths, and gain real-world skills that universities and employers value highly.

The IBCP offers:

A tailored programme that matches students’ interests, ambitions and learning styles.
Academic challenge combined with professional relevance, enhancing DP subjects with industry-linked study.
Future-ready skills such as critical thinking, communication, research, ethics and intercultural understanding.
Strong university pathways, with thousands of institutions worldwide recognising the IBCP for admission.

In short, the IBCP is the ideal option for students who thrive with a mix of academic depth and practical, career-focused learning—preparing them for university, specialised training, or entering the professional world directly.

IBCP Curriculum

The IBCP curriculum consists of:

DP subjects
CP core subjects
Career-related studies

Students complete at least two DP courses, gaining access to internationally recognised academic content across multiple subject groups. These courses add academic depth, theoretical understanding, and the high level of rigour IB is known for.

The CP core brings together students’ academic learning and their chosen career pathway, helping them develop essential skills for further education and real-world success.

Schools offer career-related study pathways that reflect their local context and student needs. All pathways meet IB standards for accreditation, assessment, and quality assurance, ensuring that every programme delivers relevant, industry-aligned learning that prepares students for future careers.

IBCP Subjects

IBCP students take DP subjects from a wide range of areas, including languages, sciences, humanities, mathematics, and the arts.

Their career-related studies may focus on fields such as business, hospitality, design, technology, or other professional sectors that align with the school’s offerings.

The IBCP Core complements these subjects and includes:

Personal and Professional Skills – developing workplace, research, and interpersonal skills.
Service Learning – applying knowledge to real community needs.
Language Development – fostering communication and global understanding.
Reflective Project – an extended inquiry into an ethical issue related to the career-related study.

IBCP Assessment

Assessment varies by component:

DP subjects are evaluated through external examinations and internal coursework.
Career-related studies follow the assessment system of the chosen provider.
Core elements are internally assessed and externally moderated by the IB.

The Reflective Project is awarded a final grade from A–E.

How IBDP and IBCP compare

Aspect	IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)	IB Career-related Programme (IBCP)
Main Purpose	Broad academic preparation for university.	Combines IB subjects with career-related and applied learning.
Structure	6 subjects + Theory of Knowledge + Extended Essay + CAS.	2+ DP subjects + Career-related Studies + CP Core (PPS, Service Learning, Reflective Project, Language Development).
Approach to Learning	Academic, theoretical, research-focused.	Academic and practical, skill-focused, real-world contexts.
Flexibility	More structured with a clearly defined curriculum.	Highly flexible and tailored to student pathways.
Skills Developed	Research, analysis, critical thinking.	Employability, communication, ethics, problem-solving, critical thinking.
Assessment	Standardised external IB examinations.	Mix of DP assessments, applied projects, and CP internal assessments.
University Recognition	Recognised worldwide as a full pre-university qualification.	Recognised globally for university, higher education, or career routes.
Ideal Student Profile	Enjoys academic rigour across multiple subjects.	Prefers academic study combined with career-focused learning.
Post-Secondary Pathways	Traditional university degrees.	University, specialised higher education, vocational training, or employment.

High School Language Programme

At ISC High School in Como, English is the primary language of instruction across all subjects, except for language courses. Both DP and CP students develop strong multilingual skills while following a rigorous, internationally recognised curriculum.

DP students can study English or Italian Language and Literature as their Language A. They may also pursue a self-taught Language A, supported by a private tutor and subject to approval by the school Principal. For Language B, learners may choose from Spanish, German, French, Italian, or English. IBCP students follow comparable language pathways based on their selected DP courses, ensuring full integration with their career-related studies.

To further enhance their linguistic competence, students can take part in extracurricular language courses, including Russian, Spanish, or French.

High School Facilities

Situated within a dedicated Secondary School wing designed to meet the specific needs of older students, our High School in Como offers extensive resources to nurture talents and prepare learners for success beyond school.

Both DP and CP students benefit from specialised facilities that support academic, technical, and life skills development. These include a robotics lab, an art studio, a dedicated music room, three fully equipped science laboratories, a podcast studio, one theatre and a drama studio, a well-stocked library, an indoor gym, a football pitch, two outdoor multipurpose sports facilities and a cafeteria. The facilities also include an IBDP/CP Study Centre and our ‘CoLab’, a shared workspace and coffee bar

At International School of Como, we are committed to continuously enhancing our learning environment for all students.

Learning from Exceptional High School Teachers

Our High School teachers are highly qualified, IB-certified, and dedicated to preparing students for success in the Diploma Programme, at university, and beyond. They are all native-level English speakers, with many proficient in multiple languages, fostering a nurturing international environment for learners to explore their interests and develop their talents.

All DP and CP teachers at International School of Como benefit from professional development opportunities at our school and within the wider IB and Inspired networks. This ensures they stay current with leading educational practices and are fully equipped to excel in our globalised world.

Extracurricular Activities for High School Students

At our High School in Como, we value extracurricular learning so that students can develop unique talents and skills beyond the classroom. Our diverse after-school programme offers activities such as languages, music, drama, sports, robotics, various personal interest clubs, homework supervision, and service as action, among others.

All activities are led by professional, experienced teachers and coaches, both on-campus and in collaboration with local partners. The selection of clubs changes annually and typically takes place on school days from 3:50 pm to 4:50 pm.

Clubs

Currently, the available clubs include:

FLL (First Lego League)
Robotics Club
MUN (Model United Nations)
Maths Club
Creative Writing in English & English
Handwriting Club
Russian Language School
French Club
Spanish with Pop Songs Club
Percussion Club
Music Club
Painting Skills Club
ISC Football Team Training
Girls Football Club
Volleyball Club
Fencing Club
Homework Club

Enriching Opportunities for Our High School Students

Our High School in Como provides students with world-class opportunities for personal growth and global engagement. As part of both the Inspired Education Group and the International School of Europe Group, students can participate in inter-school competitions, international camps, and exchange programmes lasting from several weeks to a full academic year. These experiences foster cultural awareness, a global outlook, and key 21st-century skills such as adaptability, independence, teamwork and multilingual communication, preparing students for success in higher education and beyond.

IBDP students also take part in the CAStaway G12 programme, a residential field trip that forms an integral part of the DP’s CAS component. Alongside community service, the trip emphasises team-building and cultural enrichment, further enhancing students’ personal growth and global awareness.

IBCP students likewise participate in Community Engagement, a core component of the programme. This allows them to explore local and wider community issues, apply their learning in real-world contexts, and make meaningful contributions. Through this experience, students develop practical, interpersonal and professional skills while deepening their understanding of the world around them.

Discover how our high school education in Como can guide your child to the university and career path of their dreams.

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