The IBDP is a rigorous, full time, 2 year high school program culminating in a globally recognized and university accepted diploma. The program consists of three “core” courses and 6 subject groups. In addition to these core academic requirements Aoba’s Online IBDP features holistic student support, extracurricular and enrichment activities, and a vibrant school community where students can connect with one another while cultivating life long friendships.

Students must have completed grade 10 (or the equivalent middle school preparatory curriculum), have high school level English proficiency and be based in a country within a 3-4 hour time difference of Japan Standard Time.

Aoba’s Online IBDP is a two year program. The school year begins mid-August and ends mid-June of each year, with the DP exams and graduation concluding in May of the final year (Grade 12). This is also aligned with the academic calendar for Aoba’s on campus IBDP program making possible wonderful opportunities for “hybrid” school events where both online and on campus students mingle and interact with one another.

The Online IBDP timetable is not unlike a more traditional school timetable with regularly scheduled classes, break time, activities and events. The core daily timetable runs from 10:00 AM to 17:00 PM (Japan Time). A distinctive feature of Aoba’s online timetable is the thoughtful blending of live group classes, team based activities, and independent study in order to achieve a healthy balance of screen time, give students time to relax and socialize, and break up each day into an engaging mix of study methods.

In short, Aoba aims to provide online students with the same hands on, personalised support that students of our on campus programs receive. This includes structured post-secondary and university entrance guidance, access to school counselors via an online appointment scheduling system, a dedicated homeroom advisor, teacher office hours, and much more. Aoba’s Online IBDP is more than just an online course platform: it’s an entire international school experience delivered right to students and families wherever they are.

Both! While many online schools are based around a “do it all by yourself” model, Aoba’s Online IBDP thoughtfully blends live group classes, team based activities, and independent study to achieve just the right mix of learning modes, human connection, and screen time.

Yes! It wouldn’t be school without the opportunity to pursue personal interests, develop unique skills, and socialise with other students. Aoba’s Online IBDP provides students with a variety of optional enrichment opportunities including After School Programs, Clubs, and Trips. Some activities like trips require additional fees for transportation and accommodation, but because our goal is to make the IBDP 100% accessible via online study these activities are completely optional and not required to graduate from the program. It’s all about providing students and families with as much choice and variety as possible.

Yes! Aoba doesn’t just help students with their university applications; our Online IBDP features a structured, teacher supported post-secondary and university preparation program. Beginning in Grade 11 (the first year of the Online IBDP) students begin researching, planning, and working with their advisor to chart a post-secondary path and prepare for university entrance. Alternatively some of our graduates enter directly into internships, volunteer programs, or other non-university activities straight out of high school and our post-secondary preparation program is flexible enough to support students taking the road less traveled.

The majority of our students take their final IB examinations in April and May of the second and final year of the Online IBDP (Grade 12). Shortly thereafter students celebrate their achievement at our online graduation ceremony. Students may also optionally attend our in-person graduation ceremony in Tokyo, Japan (additional fees apply). For those students unable to sit their IB exams at this time, Aoba will help to schedule exams at a later date. The next available examination dates offered by the IBO are in Fall, around October. Students may still attend graduation ceremony and related activities even if unable to sit their exams in April/May, assuming they have met basic graduation requirements.

IBDP final examinations are paper based and must be taken in person. As students approach the end of their journey in the IBDP, Aoba will coordinate with the IBO to locate the nearest local examination center to a student’s place of residence. This is often a local high school in the student's country of residence and in most cases travel time to and from the exam center can be limited to one hour or less.

Yes! We encourage parents and guardians to take an active role in their child’s school life. Parents and guardians receive regular communications from teachers and the school with regards to support for their child, academics, events, and other school life related activities. Parents and guardians also have the opportunity to join our Online Family Community: a social network designed just for families.

The physical health and wellbeing of our online students is of critical importance; and is something that is often overlooked by other online K12 programs. For this reason Aoba’s Online IBDP incorporates a unique, Aoba-developed strand of curriculum specific to Physical Health and Wellbeing. Flexibly designed to accommodate the unique physical abilities, circumstances, and personal interests of our students, Aoba’s Physical Health and Wellbeing curriculum runs throughout the 2 year program and ensures that students gain the knowledge and skills required to lead physically healthy and balanced lives, while also ensuring that they regularly dedicate time to staying active in whatever way best suits them. Students who participate in club sports can easily apply those activities to their Physical Health and Wellbeing curriculum, while others opt for at-home exercise routines including yoga, weight lifting or other.

In order to participate in live online classes and access digital learning content on the Aoba Global Campus platform, students will need a high speed internet connection (recommended 250mbps or better) and a device on which web browser software (eg. Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) can be installed. All learning interactions and content are accessed over the internet via a web browser. Although it is possible to engage in Aoba’s online learning environment via a smartphone or tablet, Aoba recommends that students use a laptop or desktop computer for the majority of their studies as this will provide the smoothest technology experience, make accessing learning content easier, and is more ergonomic and healthy than studying exclusively through a small, touch capacitive screen.

Yes! Aoba employs a dedicated, friendly team of technology support specialists. Both students and families can access live technical support during the school day, and email support requests outside of school hours in order to ensure a smooth online learning experience.

Aoba Global Campus is designed from the ground up with safety, security, and privacy in mind specific to the needs of K12 students and their families. Students can only interact with their peers and with school faculty and staff. Communications tools like video conferencing and chat are monitored and include reporting features to ensure students are protected. In addition to our secure technology environment, Aoba’s curriculum and school culture emphasises respectful interactions both on campus and online, resulting in a supportive and inclusive school community that doesn’t tolerate cyberbullying and takes assertive action to address any concerns. School is school, whether online or elsewhere, and is a place where everyone should feel safe and supported.