International Baccalaureate (IB) Newsletter
September 2025
Dear Parents/Guardians:
I hope you and your child are doing well. This is our first monthly newsletter for IB families. My name is Benjamin Law, and I serve as the IB Programme Coordinator and one of the IB Physics teachers at AMHS.
First and foremost, welcome to our IB community at AMHS! I truly believe that open, honest, and transparent communication between home and school is one of the key ingredients for student success.
For families who are new to the IB Programme, below you will find a brief introduction to the IB Programme to help you become more familiar with its structure and philosophy.
What is the IB Programme?
The IB Programme is a globally recognized education framework. Its goal is to provide students with a well-rounded education that not only helps them understand the complexities of the world around them but also equips them with the skills, values, and dispositions needed to take responsible action for the future.
For more detailed information including a list of universities and countries that recognize the IB Programme, click this link.
To read more information about the IB Diploma Programme, click this link.
How is the IB Programme structured at AMHS?
At AMHS, we are authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12. Students in Grade 11 are part of DP 1. This means the formal IB Diploma experience begins in Grade 11 for your child. Students in Grade 12 are part of DP 2.
In Grades 9 and 10, students are enrolled in what we call the Preparatory Years. During these years, students take IB-streamed courses that are very similar to our regular programme, but include enriched content and a stronger focus on developing the skills needed to transition successfully into the IB Diploma Programme.
One of the key goals of our IB Programme is to provide students with opportunities to build both resilience and the capacity to face challenges with confidence—skills that will serve them well not only in the DP, but also in their future academic and personal endeavors.
We hope your child has had a smooth start in their courses with their teachers. Each course comes with important tasks and tight deadlines, so please encourage your child to reach out directly to their classroom teachers if they need clarification on expectations or timelines.
At AMHS, we are fortunate to have a strong team of staff who can provide support in many different ways. This team includes classroom teachers, guidance counselors, programme coordinators, and administrators—all working together to ensure student success.
If your child ever needs additional support, please encourage them to come see me directly at school. I will be happy to guide them in the right direction and connect them with the appropriate resources.
We are delighted to welcome Ms. Aline Daniel as our new Principal and Head of School for the IB Programme. Ms. Daniel brings with her many years of diverse experience within our school system, and she will provide strong leadership and support to further enrich our IB community.
Thank you for your attention and continued support of the IB Programme at AMHS. If there are any specific questions about the IB Programme, please contact me directly by phone or email.
Benjamin Law (benjamin.law@yrdsb.ca)
IB Coordinator, Alexander Mackenzie High School, York Region District School Board
905-884-0554 ext 419