At the Uruguayan American School (UAS), we are proud to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) for students in Grades 11 and 12. The IB is a globally respected academic program that prepares students not only for university success, but also to think critically, act ethically, and engage with the world as reflective, lifelong learners.

The IB aligns closely with our mission at UAS: to foster responsible global citizens, who are life long learners, ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

What the IB Looks Like at UAS

  • Rigorous Academics: Students at UAS take six IB courses across a range of subjects including languages, sciences, humanities, math, and the arts. They also complete the three core elements of the IB:

    • Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – a course that challenges students to examine how knowledge is constructed.

    • Extended Essay (EE) – a 4,000-word independent research paper on a topic of the student’s choice.

    • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – a program that encourages students to grow through artistic, physical, and community-oriented projects.

  • Flexible Pathways: While nearly all pursue the full IB Diploma, others opt for individual IB courses, tailoring their studies to match their interests, strengths, and university goals.

  • Small Class Sizes and Individualized Support: With small cohorts, dedicated teachers, and a team that includes the IB coordinator, College Counselor, Learning Support Specialist, ELL Support, and Secondary Counsellor, UAS students receive personalized guidance and support throughout their IB journey. 

Why Choose the IB at UAS?

At UAS, we believe that the IB Diploma Programme offers the best preparation for university and beyond, and we encourage all eligible students to take on the challenge of the full Diploma. With the right support and a growth mindset, we’ve seen our students rise to meet and exceed global standardsn.

  • Outstanding Results UAS students consistently perform above the global IB averages:
    • Average Total Points: 32 (Global Average: 30.5)
    • Mean Subject Grade: 5.1 (Global Average: 4.9)
    • Pass Rate: 95% (Global Pass Rate: 81.3%)
    • Bilingual Diplomas Awarded: 80% (Global Average: 27.3%)
  • A Supportive, High-Performance Culture From the first day of Grade 11 through final exams, students are guided by experienced, IB-trained teachers who know how to challenge and support. Our small classes, individualized feedback, and strong sense of community help students manage the demands of the program with confidence.
  • A Broad Range of Courses For a small school, UAS offers a wide variety of IB courses that give students the opportunity to explore their interests, build on their strengths, and prepare for their university programs. Our course offerings span the full IB subject groups, including multiple options in sciences, humanities, languages, and mathematics.
    Students can choose from both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) courses, with guidance from the College Counselor and the IB Coordinator to ensure that their course combinations align with their academic goals and university plans. We continue to review and adapt our offerings based on student interest and evolving curriculum standards.
    Download our current IB Course Guide here to explore what classes are offered..
  • University-Ready Skills The IB helps students become effective writers, analytical thinkers, and independent learners, skills that translate directly to success at university. UAS graduates are accepted at top institutions around the world and leave prepared to take on their next challenge.

Success Beyond the Diploma

While we’re proud of our global results, what truly matters is the impact the program has on the student. Below are testimonials from our IB graduates.

 

“In the classes I have, such as history, we learn about a range of perspectives on different events, encouraging us to think beyond the confines of what we already believe to know.”

“I recently got a notification that I transferred 16 credits because of the IB at UAS. This will allow me to graduate college a year earlier! Just a quick thank you for making me stick to it when I wanted to quit!

“The many nationalities and cultures represented in UAS has cultivated my international mindedness”

“I have teachers that are role models for the type of behavior and attitude I want to have“