IB Newsletter - Alexander Mackenzie High School ; June 2026
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Hope you are doing well. In this newsletter, you will find relevant information and updates about our IB Programme at AMHS.
There have been many exciting activities taking place throughout May and June. Outlined below are some of the highlights from our IB community in this final newsletter of the school year.
May 20 – Last Day of IB Exams for DP2 Students: Celebrating Their Success
We recognize the tremendous effort, perseverance, and dedication that our DP2 students have demonstrated throughout their IB journey in order to meet the requirements of the Diploma Programme.
This was our first year administering all IB examinations in the Library Learning Commons. A special thank you to Ms. Raia, Head of the Library Learning Commons, for her support in coordinating the space and logistics throughout the examination period.
Her efforts helped ensure that our IB students had access to a quiet, comfortable, and spacious environment in which to complete their examinations. We greatly appreciate her flexibility, organization, and commitment to supporting student success.
As students completed their final IB examination on May 20, we gathered together to celebrate this important milestone and their accomplishments. Our teachers and principal shared words of encouragement and congratulations, reflecting on the hard work and growth that students have demonstrated over the past four years.
To commemorate the occasion, each student was presented with a custom-made souvenir as a lasting reminder of their time in the IB Programme at AMHS. The celebration provided an opportunity for students and staff to come together one final time before our graduates embark on the next chapter of their academic journeys.
We are incredibly proud of our graduates and wish them continued success in their future endeavours.
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May 25 - Collaborative Science Project Trip & May 28 - IB Science Fair
As part of the IB Science Programme at AMHS, our Grade 11 IB students participated in a field trip to Activate in Scarborough on May 25 as part of the Collaborative Science Project.
The Collaborative Science Project is an interdisciplinary activity that brings together students from different Group 4 subjects. Through this project, students collaborate on a scientific or technological topic, allowing concepts and perspectives from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to be shared and explored. The project supports one of the key aims of the IB Sciences curriculum: to develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and their influence on other areas of knowledge.
This year's theme was "Winter Olympics." Each group researched a different Winter Olympic sport and examined how Biology, Chemistry, and Physics contribute to athletic performance and help athletes achieve the Olympic motto: "Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together."
Following their research and collaborative work, students showcased their findings at the IB Science Fair on May 28. Through interactive displays and presentations, students shared their learning with the broader AMHS community and engaged visitors in discussions about the science behind elite athletic performance.
The project provided an excellent opportunity for students to apply scientific knowledge in a real-world context while developing their collaboration, communication, and presentation skills.
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June 1 - Solar Observations
Grade 9 students and Grade 11 IB students participated in a Solar Observation Activity on June 1. Prior to the observation session, students reviewed important safety procedures for observing the Sun.
Students safely observed the Sun using ISO 12312-2 certified solar viewing glasses and a specialized solar telescope manufactured by Lunt Solar Systems. Through these instruments, students were able to view several fascinating solar features, including sunspots, solar prominences, and solar flares.
This hands-on experience provided students with an opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world astronomical observations. Observing our nearest star firsthand helped students develop a deeper appreciation for solar activity and its role within our solar system.
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June 4 - IB Banquet
A total of 132 IB students attended the IB Banquet on June 4. The evening featured speeches from teachers and students, student awards, photo opportunities, celebrations, food, and dancing.
The banquet provided a wonderful opportunity for students from different grades to come together and celebrate another successful year in the IB Programme. Students conducted themselves exceptionally well throughout the evening and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with their peers and teachers in a relaxed and celebratory setting.
Thank you to all staff, student volunteers, and organizers who helped make this event a memorable experience for our IB community.
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National Biology Competition (U of T)
We are proud to share that AMHS Biology students achieved outstanding results in the University of Toronto Biology Competition this past April. Our top performers scored in the 96th–99th percentiles, helping AMHS rank among the top five in Canada out of 172 participating schools. This success reflects the hard work and dedication of both our students and staff. (https://biocomp.utoronto.ca/results/)
Out of 2,220 contestants across Canada, our top three students placed as follows:
- Sophia Akhbari – 5th in Canada, National Biology Scholar with Distinction
- Amir Kazemi – 29th in Canada, National Biology Scholar
- Jaydon Zhang – 81st in Canada, National Biology Scholar
DP1 - Extended Essay
DP1 (Grade 11) students began the Extended Essay (EE) process a few months ago. The EE is due in December 2026. Special thanks goes to our EE Coordinator, Ms. Katherine Bruzzese, for her ongoing dedication and guidance in supporting our DP1 students throughout this process.
We encourage all DP1 students to continue working on their Extended Essay over the summer to make steady progress ahead of the upcoming school year.
Programme Fee for 2026-2027 School Year
This is a friendly reminder that the IB Programme fee for the 2026–2027 school year is due on June 19, 2026. For detailed information regarding the fee and payment process, please refer to the email that was sent on May 25. Thank you to all families who have already completed their payment. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
DP1 and DP2 - IB Exam Result and Mark Alignment in July
IB examination results will be released on July 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Students were provided with their login credentials by email on March 26 and will be able to access their results online through the IB candidate portal at https://candidates.ibo.org.
If you have questions regarding your child's exam results, the IB offers a formal review process called Enquiry Upon Results (EUR). Through this process, examinations can be remarked upon request. The current fee is USD $128 (approximately CAD $180) per subject. More information about the EUR process will be shared in a separate email near the end of June. The deadline for submitting an EUR request is September 10, 2026.
Once IB results are released, the final marks for Grade 12 equivalent courses in the IB Programme will be reviewed and realigned based on the IB level achieved and the student's June report card mark. This process applies to the following courses:
- DP1: MHF4U, MCV4U, SPH4U, SBI4U, or AMU4M
- DP2: ENG4U, ETS4U, SCH4U, SNC4M, FSF4U, CHY4U, and CHI4U
Because IB results are released during the summer, any required mark alignments will be processed when school resumes in September 2026.
Parents of DP2 students
For DP2 students, please note that once they graduate, they will lose access to their G Suite (Gapps) school accounts. As a result, students are asked to complete a post-secondary destination survey through a Google Form. This information is important to ensure that official IB results can be properly forwarded to their chosen post-secondary institutions. Please kindly remind your child to fill out the survey that is sent to them on June 3.
This concludes our monthly newsletter for the 2025–2026 school year.
The IB Programme is a community in itself, and it truly takes a collective effort to support students throughout their IB journey. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all parents and guardians for your ongoing advice, guidance, and partnership in supporting your child in the IB Programme.
Thank you !
Benjamin Law (benjamin.law@yrdsb.ca)
IB Coordinator, Alexander Mackenzie High School, York Region District School Board
905-884-0554 ext 419