Introduction:
International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation is a prestigious milestone, but it is not a static achievement. To retain this status, schools must engage in a process of continuous growth, reflection, and alignment with the International Baccalaureate Organization’s (IBO) evolving standards. These ongoing requirements for schools to maintain IB accreditation ensure that the quality of teaching and learning remains high and that the school continues to reflect the core values of the IB: international-mindedness, academic rigor, and holistic development.
Learn more about the Maintaining IB Accreditation.
Regular Programme Evaluation
One of the most significant ongoing obligations for IB World Schools is participating in the IB programme evaluation, which typically occurs every five years. This comprehensive review involves:
Self-study documentation that assesses how well the school meets IB standards
Evidence of implementation, such as unit plans, student work samples, and assessment strategies
Site visits or virtual visits by trained IB evaluators who interview staff, observe classrooms, and review institutional practices.
The goal is not merely compliance but reflective growth. Schools must demonstrate how they have evolved since initial authorization, how they incorporate feedback, and how they uphold the mission and vision of the IB.
Commitment to Professional Development
All IB-accredited schools are required to ensure that their teaching staff and coordinators participate in ongoing professional development (PD). IB programs are dynamic, and regular training helps educators stay up to date with changes in curriculum frameworks, assessment methods, and pedagogical strategies.
Schools must:
Ensure that newly hired teachers complete IB-recognized training.
Offer regular in-house workshops and collaborative planning sessions.
Encourage participation in IB global conferences and learning communities
Professional growth isn’t just a checkbox; it’s an embedded part of sustaining a rich, student-centered IB environment.
Learn more about the Handling Revocation of IB Accreditation.
Policy Review and Revision
To maintain IB accreditation, schools must continuously review and refine their internal policies to ensure they align with IB standards. Key required policies include:
Language Policy: Promoting multilingualism and support for language learners
Assessment Policy: Outlining criteria, methods, and practices aligned with IB expectations
Inclusion Policy: Ensuring access and support for all learners
Academic Integrity Policy: Defining ethical expectations and procedures to address violations
These policies must be living documents applied in practice, reviewed regularly, and updated in collaboration with educators and leadership teams.
Curriculum Development and Documentation
Schools must consistently maintain high-quality curriculum documentation. For PYP and MYP, this includes developing and revising units of inquiry or interdisciplinary units. In the DP and CP, course outlines and internal assessment tasks must be aligned with the latest subject guides.
Curriculum development is expected to be collaborative and reflective, involving regular team meetings, vertical articulation, and feedback loops.
Monitoring Student Progress and Inclusion
IB schools are expected to track and support student progress through data-driven decision-making. This includes using formative and summative assessments to guide instruction and differentiate support. Schools must also uphold a strong commitment to inclusion, providing access, accommodations, and specialized support for all learners, including those with diverse needs.
The Approach at Kintess
At Kintess, maintaining IB accreditation is seen as a dynamic and community-wide endeavor. The school conducts an annual self-review aligned with IB standards, allowing it to monitor implementation and set clear improvement goals. Teachers engage in weekly collaborative planning sessions and are encouraged to attend IB workshops every year. Kintess revises its academic policies annually through a shared governance model involving faculty and administrators. Its inquiry-based curriculum is continuously refined based on student reflection, performance data, and international developments. Importantly, Kintess views the IB as more than a framework; it is a mindset embedded in daily practice, ensuring that students experience a consistent, globally focused, and inclusive education.
Maintaining IB accreditation demands intentional effort across all levels of a school. From curriculum development and policy updates to teacher training and student support, the process is continuous and evolving. These ongoing requirements ensure that IB schools not only retain their status but also remain innovative, responsive, and impactful. The experience at Kintess demonstrates how sustained commitment to IB principles leads to a thriving, future-ready school community.
You can learn more about the Impact of IB Accreditation.