Rules For IB World Schools

RULES FOR IB WORLD SCHOOLS

Published June 2020
Updated November 2022

Published on behalf of the International Baccalaureate Organization, a not-for-profit
educational foundation of 15 Route des Morillons, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex,

Geneva, Switzerland by the
International Baccalaureate Organization (UK) Ltd
Peterson House, Malthouse Avenue, Cardiff Gate
Cardiff, Wales CF23 8GL
United Kingdom
Website: ibo.org

The International Baccalaureate Organization (known as the IB) offers four high-quality
and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools, aiming
to create a better, more peaceful world. This publication is one of a range of materials
produced to support these programmes.
The IB may use a variety of sources in its work and checks information to verify accuracy
and authenticity, particularly when using community-based knowledge sources such as
Wikipedia. The IB respects the principles of intellectual property and makes strenuous
efforts to identify and obtain permission before publication from rights holders of all
copyright material used. The IB is grateful for permissions received for material used
in this publication and will be pleased to correct any errors or omissions at the earliest
opportunity.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the IB’s prior written
permission, or as expressly permitted by the Rules for use of IB Intellectual Property.
IB merchandise and publications can be purchased through the IB Store
(email: sales@ ibo. org). Any commercial use of IB publications (whether fee-covered or
commercial) by third parties acting in the IB’s ecosystem without a formal relationship
with the IB (including but not limited to tutoring organizations, professional development
providers, educational publishers and operators of curriculum mapping or teacher
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from the IB. License requests should be sent to copyright@ibo.org. More information can
be obtained on the IB public website.

International Baccalaureate, Baccalauréat International, Bachillerato Internacional
and IB logos are registered trademarks of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

IB mission statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who
help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop
challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong
learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

IB learner profile

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common
humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

As IB learners we strive to be:

Inquirers

We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.

Open-Minded

We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.

Knowledgeable

We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global signicance.

Caring

We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive dierence in the lives of others and in the world around us.

Thinkers

We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.

Risk-Takers

We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination;
we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.

Communicators

We express ourselves condently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate eectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.

Balanced

We understand the importance of balancing dierent aspects of
our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achievewell-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interde-
pendence with other people and with the world in which we live.

Principled

We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of
fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights
of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions
and their consequences.

Reflective

We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and expe-rience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.

The IB learner prole represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others
like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.

Rules for IB World Schools

Article 1: Scope
1.1 International Baccalaureate Organization (hereinafter together with its affiliates “IB”) is a foundation that has
developed and offers four programmes of international education: the Primary Years Programme (“PYP”), the
Middle Years Programme (“MYP”), the Diploma Programme (“DP”) and the Career-related Programme (“CP”)
(collectively hereinafter “IB programmes”). It authorizes schools (known as IB World Schools and hereinafter
“schools”) to offer one or more of these programmes to its students.
1.2 This document describes the rules that apply to those schools that have been authorized by the IB to offer one
or more of the IB programmes. Where a rule applies to one or more, but not all, IB programmes, that has
been indicated.
1.3 When used herein the term “legal guardians” encompasses parents and individuals with guardianship of any
student enrolled in an IB programme. If a student is of legal age, the school’s duties towards legal guardians
specified herein also apply towards the student.
Article 2: Compliance with the IB’s requirements and applicable laws
2.1 Schools agree to comply with the following publications which govern the administration of the programme(s)
offered at the school:
a. Rules for IB World Schools (this document)
b. General regulations
c. Programme standards and practices
d. the IB’s “Rules for use of IB intellectual property” (available on the website at ibo.org/copyright)
e. the IB’s online terms and conditions (available at ibo.org/terms-and-conditions)
f. MYP, DP, CP: Assessment procedures for the IB programme(s) offered by the school
2.2 Schools agree to comply with the following documents relevant to the IB programme(s) offered at the school:
a. The Primary Years Programme: From principles into practice
b. The Middle Year Programme: From principles into practice
c. The Diploma Programme: From principles into practice
d. The Career-related Programme: From principles into practice
2.3. Authorized schools must operate in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations and policies. In particular,

each authorized school must operate in accordance with best practices as well as all applicable laws, regula-
tions and policies in the area of child protection and maintain appropriate procedures in place (which may in-
clude components such as criminal background screening for recruiting, hiring and retaining staff). Authorized

schools must reconfirm the same to the IB at the time of evaluation.
Article 3: Reference to the IB’s function and its programmes
3.1 The IB is independent from schools. Schools must inform the relevant authorities and legal guardians that:
a. the sole responsibility for operating the school and the implementation and quality of teaching of the IB
programme(s) rests with the school

b. the sole responsibility for any shortcomings in the implementation or quality of teaching of the IB pro-
gramme(s) is borne by the school

c. The award of the following are the sole prerogative of the IB and not of the school:
i. the International Baccalaureate diploma (hereinafter “IB diploma”) and Diploma Programme
course results
ii. the certificate of the Career-related Programme (hereinafter “certificate of the CP”) and the CP
statement of results
iii. the MYP certificate and MYP course results.

3.2 A school is entitled to present itself as an “IB World School” and to use the “IB World School” logo as per Arti-
cle 10.4 only in connection with the IB programme(s) that it has been authorized to implement. This right is

only granted for the period of validity of the school’s authorization and lapses automatically should the au-
thorization be terminated or withdrawn. In addition, schools are never permitted to use the IB corporate logo.

Article 4: Responsibilities of the IB
4.1 The IB will allow schools to deliver the IB programme(s) and to use the related materials and receive related
services under the conditions provided in these Rules for IB World Schools.
4.2 MYP, DP, CP: The IB will establish assessment procedures for the MYP, DP, and CP, including the schedules for
eAssessments and examinations in May and November, and will take all reasonable measures to ensure the
integrity and security of all forms of assessment.
Article 5: Responsibilities of schools

5.1 Schools are responsible for ensuring that they implement the IB programme(s) in conformity with their obliga-
tions under all applicable laws.

5.2 Schools are responsible for the quality of support provided, for the teaching of the IB programme(s), their in-
ternal assessments and their predicted grades and they undertake to hold the IB harmless with regard to any

legal action taken by students, candidates or their legal guardians as a result of any shortcomings.
5.3 Schools must ensure that they appropriately fund the IB programme(s) offered by the school, deliver them
effectively and administer them according to the requirements of the IB.
5.4 Schools must ensure that they implement their IB programme(s) in accordance with the documents published
by the IB for that purpose.

5.5 Schools must ensure that teachers of the IB programme(s) are knowledgeable about the curriculum and as-
sessment requirements set out in the programme(s) guides and supporting materials. To this end, it is the

school’s responsibility to ensure access for teachers to all relevant, up-to-date programme guides and support-
ing materials from the IB.

5.6 Each school must appoint a programme coordinator, situated in the school, to manage the implementation of
each of the IB programmes offered by the school. The school must ensure that the coordinator(s) is proficient
in one of the principal IB working languages (English, French or Spanish).

5.7 Schools must ensure that teachers and administrators receive IB-recognized professional development as re-
quired. Minimum requirements for professional development are outlined in the Guide to programme evalua-
tion.

5.8 It is the practice of the IB to make its programmes available to all students enrolled at IB World Schools. No

student will be excluded by the IB on the grounds of race, nationality or national origin, ethnicity, culture, gen-
der, age, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, political beliefs, disability or any other personal characteristic

as prohibited by law. Schools must implement their duties under these rules in a manner that enables this
practice to be upheld.

5.9 It is the school’s responsibility to determine whether it can enrol a candidate with learning support require-
ments into the programme.

5.10 Schools are responsible for ensuring that students and legal guardians:
a. can access a copy of the General regulations from the time the student is enrolled in the IB programme
b. are informed about the general regulations and all programme requirements, notably the content of the

curriculum and relevant aspects of assessment and any restrictions or prohibitions that apply to the pro-
gramme(s)

c. are informed of how the school implements the IB programme(s)
d. are aware of the services offered by the IB.

5.11 Schools undertake to hold the IB harmless with regard to any legal action taken by students or their legal
guardians in which non-receipt of the General regulations constitutes one of the grounds of such action.
5.12 Schools must ensure that all fees of any IB programme(s) offered by the school are paid in accordance with the
scales of fees, assigned currency and timetable for payments currently set by the IB. Without limiting any other
remedies available to the IB, non-payment of fees when due for any IB programme(s)offered by the school, for
any IB services for which the school registers or for any IB services received by the school, may result in the IB
charging interest on overdue amounts at commercially-standard rates, withholding candidates’ results and/or

withholding any other services provided by the IB. The IB’s fees are exclusive of taxes. Fees must be paid with-
out deduction of withholding taxes or any applicable taxes. If the school is required by law to pay withholding

taxes for any IB fees, the fee will be increased to include the amount of the applicable withholding tax to en-
sure the IB receives a net amount equal to the fee it would have received had the deduction or withholding

not been made.

5.13 For use of the IB’s secure online services, schools must control the allocation and use of usernames and pass-
words and ensure that users are aware of the IB’s online terms and conditions.

5.14 Schools must inform the IB of any major changes in their governance, organizational structure, and/or location
(including damage to, relocation of or major renovations of school premises). The IB may choose to visit a

school as a result of these changes if it considers that they may affect the implementation of the IB pro-
gramme(s) and in order to ensure that the school’s facilities and resources will continue to support the IB pro-
gramme(s). The visit will be funded by the school, according to the IB policies in this respect.

5.15 PYP: Schools are responsible for ensuring that legal guardians are properly informed about the curriculum
framework, including assessment guidelines and the requirements of the programme.
5.16 MYP: Where schools whose MYP structure includes year five of the programme opt for IB-validated grades,

they are responsible for ensuring that legal guardians and candidates are properly informed of all MYP assess-
ment procedures and of conditions for the award of the MYP certificate and MYP course results.

5.17 MYP, DP, CP: It is the practice of the IB to make its MYP, DP and CP assessments available to all candidates
from IB World Schools who have fulfilled the school’s and the IB’s academic requirements and for whom the
fees required to register for an IB examination session have been paid. No candidate will be excluded by the IB

on the grounds of race, nationality or national origin, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, reli-
gious affiliation, political beliefs, disability or any other personal characteristic as prohibited by law applicable

to the IB. Schools must implement their duties under these rules in a manner that enables this practice to be
upheld.
5.18 MYP, DP, CP: Schools must ensure that legal guardians and candidates themselves are aware of the inclusive
assessment arrangements (also known as access arrangements) that the IB offers to support candidates with
access requirements. With the exception of access arrangements that do not require authorization from the
IB, a school must request authorization from the IB to provide access arrangements for candidates with access
requirements during IB assessments. This must be in accordance with the policy and procedures outlined in

the relevant IB publication on access and inclusion and in the Assessment procedures for the relevant IB pro-
gramme(s).

5.19 MYP, DP, CP: Schools are responsible for ensuring that candidates are registered in an accurate and timely
manner, according to the deadlines in the relevant Assessment procedures. Schools must administer diligently

and securely those aspects of assessment for which they are responsible, in accordance with the IB’s expecta-
tions and the procedures described in the relevant Assessment procedures.

5.20 MYP, DP, CP: The relevant programme coordinator(s) must be available during the examinations in May/No-
vember and when results are issued to ensure that all candidates receive their results. Additionally, schools

must ensure that an appropriate contact person, who may or may not be the coordinator, is available after

results have been issued to candidates to request the enquiry upon results service on their behalf and/or reg-
ister them for the forthcoming examination session, if appropriate.

5.21 MYP, DP, CP: Schools are responsible for ensuring that candidates comply with all assessment requirements
for the IB programme(s). If candidates do not comply with these requirements, then no grade will be awarded
in the subject(s) or requirement(s) concerned.

5.22 MYP, DP, CP: Schools are responsible for the secure storage of the IB examination materials for a forthcoming
examination session. The school must immediately notify the IB via IB Answers of any breach in the procedure
for the secure storage of such material. The school must provide the IB with statements and other relevant
information concerning the breach and reasonably cooperate with the IB in investigating and addressing such
a breach.
Article 6: Internal complaints procedure
f.1 The school must have in place written procedures for how it will deal with complaints and students’ requests
for appeals against IB programme decisions taken by the school, ensure that details of these procedures are
made widely available and accessible to all students, and operate in accordance with such procedures.
f.2 The school must inform parents or legal guardians about the school’s procedures for addressing complaints and
students’ requests for appeals of IB programme decisions taken by the school.
Article 7: Programme evaluation procedures, inspections and school visits

7.1 An evaluation of a school’s implementation of the IB programme(s) takes place at five-year intervals after ini-
tial authorization. Schools must conduct a self-study as part of this evaluation process and are expected to

comply with the evaluation process as defined by the IB.
7.2 The IB reserves the right to visit schools going through evaluation. Such visits will be made with reasonable
advance notice and will be funded by the school.
7.3 If a school is not meeting any requirements for implementation of the IB programme(s), the IB will notify the
school of the matters that must be addressed. The school must resolve them within the timeline defined by
the IB or the school may be subject to suspension or withdrawal under Article 13.

7.4 Schools must accept visits from representatives of the IB regarding their implementation of the IB pro-
gramme(s). These visits can be made at any time with reasonable advance notice and will be funded by the

school.
7.5 CP: In cases where CP authorization is based in part on an existing DP authorization the review and evaluation
of the CP will take place at the same time as the review and evaluation of the DP.
7.6 MYP, DP, CP: The IB will conduct unannounced inspections of schools during periods of examinations in order
to monitor compliance with the General regulations and the Assessment procedures.
Article 8: MYP, DP, CP: Recognition and acceptance of the IB diploma, the CP certificate, the MYP
certificate, and MYP course results
8.1 MYP: While the IB attempts to ensure recognition of the MYP certificate and MYP course results, it does not
guarantee their acceptance by other educational institutions, whether or not these institutions are authorized
by the IB or by the relevant educational authorities. Consequently, schools have a duty to make it clear to all
legal guardians, including in relevant documents such as their enrolment forms or their promotional literature,
that the recognition of the MYP cannot be guaranteed and that students, candidates and legal guardians bear
the sole responsibility for verifying the position in this regard of all institutions in which a student or candidate
is interested in enrolling in the future and for consulting the relevant legislation.
8.2 DP, CP: The IB actively promotes wide recognition and acceptance of the IB diploma and the CP certificate as a
basis for entry to universities and other institutions of higher education, but the requirements of individual
institutions and the relevant authorities of a country are subject to change beyond the IB’s control. Schools,
therefore, have the duty to make it clear to all candidates and legal guardians, including in relevant documents

such as their enrolment forms or their promotional literature, that the recognition of an IB diploma or CP cer-
tificate by a specific university and/or the relevant authorities of a specific country cannot be guaranteed.

Schools are also responsible for informing candidates and legal guardians about the specific requirements (in-
cluding subject choices) for recognition in all countries and universities where such requirements exist.

8.3 Schools are solely responsible for the consequences of any failure to clarify the foregoing points with students,
candidates and legal guardians and undertake to hold the IB harmless with regard to any legal action taken by
students, candidates or legal guardians as a result of any such omission.

Article 9: DP, CP: Diploma Programme courses online

9.1 The IB allows schools to offer the DP or CP through a combination of classroom-based courses and IB-ap-
proved online courses. The IB approves and monitors online course providers based on the IB standards for

development and delivery of online courses.
9.2 Where a school offering the DP and/or CP chooses to offer an IB-approved DP online course, the school must
ensure that a suitably trained member of staff fulfils the role of site-based coordinator.
9.3 The school must inform all candidates enrolled in DP courses online that they must comply with the same IB
requirements as candidates enrolled in face-to-face courses.
9.4 The school is responsible for registering candidates and administering examinations for candidates enrolled in
IB-approved online courses.
9.5 The school is responsible for ensuring that online DP course offerings meet local and national laws and any
licensure or accreditation requirements of the local authorities and/or, if applicable, independent recognized
accreditation agencies, that license and/or accredit the school to provide educational services to DP and CP
candidates.
Article 10: Intellectual property of the IB
10.1 The content of the curriculum and assessment, for all of the IB programmes as well as all materials produced
and published by the IB in any form, remain the sole property and copyright of the IB.
10.2 Furthermore, the IB is the owner of registered trademarks, including its corporate trilingual logo, the “IB World
School” trilingual logo, the “IB button” logo and the wordmarks “International Baccalaureate”, “Baccalauréat
International”, “Bachillerato Internacional” and “IB”. Consequently, a school is prohibited from using the
above-mentioned trademarks to identify or reference its own non-IB courses.
10.3 The IB grants a school, at authorization, a non-exclusive licence to teach the IB programme(s) for which it has
been authorized and to use the related materials supplied by the IB in compliance with the IB’s “Rules for use
of IB intellectual property” (available at ibo.org/copyright) and the IB’s online terms and conditions , updated
periodically. This licence is limited to the delivery of the programme(s) within that school.
10.4 Subject to the conditions of the IB’s “Rules for use of IB intellectual property” (ibo.org/copyright) and the IB’s
online terms and conditions, a school’s authorization to teach one or more IB programme(s) also grants the
school a non-exclusive licence to:
a. use the “IB World School” trilingual logo on its stationery, publications, website and non-commercial
promotional material in connection with the IB programme it is authorized to offer, and in compliance
with IB branding guidelines (ibo.org/globalassets/digital-toolkit/pdfs/brand-guidelines-en.pdf)

b. use the IB’s sub-brand logo(s) and graphic(s) of the programme model(s) for the authorized pro-
gramme(s), without any alterations, additions or amendments. Use of the sub-brand logo(s) must be

done in compliance with IB branding guidelines (available at ibo.org)

c. where a single school offers three (PYP, MYP and DP or CP) or all four IB programmes, use the “IB contin-
uum” logo

d. make copies of official programme documentation in part or whole for use by their teachers and post
such copies or extracts on the school’s access-restricted website for their school community for teaching
or information purposes, for the programme(s) the school has been authorized to offer

e. translate IB materials for the programme(s) they have been authorized to offer in accordance with Sec-
tion 4 of the “Rules for use of IB intellectual property,” including the requirement to notify the IB via

multilingual.services@ibo.org. However, IB logos must not be used on any translated materials. Schools
must comply with all terms and conditions governing use of translated IB materials

f. MYP, DP, CP: make copies of materials prepared by the IB specifically for candidate use or to inform le-
gal guardians. However, schools may not copy or reproduce examinations and related materials for

forthcoming examination sessions under any circumstances.
10.5 Schools must not otherwise reproduce any materials from the IB or use its logos in any form without prior
written consent from the IB.

10.6 All the rights granted in Articles 10.3 and 10.4 are granted only for the period of validity of the school’s author-
ization and lapse automatically when the authorization ends.

Article 11: Copyright in materials submitted to the IB
11.1 Where materials submitted to the IB include assessment tasks that have been created by teachers within the
terms of their contract of employment and that are the copyright of the school, by submitting such materials,

the school is granting to the IB a non-exclusive, charge-free, worldwide licence, for the duration of the applica-
ble jurisdiction’s copyright protection, to reproduce submitted materials in any medium for assessment, edu-
cational, training and/or promotional purposes relating to the IB’s activities, or to those related activities of

which it approves. Such licence shall become effective from the date of submission to the IB.
11.2 Where materials submitted to the IB contain third-party copyright material, information about the source
should be included in the submission to enable the IB, if necessary, to seek permission from the copyright
holder to use the material.
11.3 PYP: When students enter the programme, legal guardians must be asked for written permission to allow the

school to submit their child’s work to the IB if requested. This, in effect, grants the IB a non-exclusive, charge-
free, worldwide license, for the duration of the statutory copyright protection, to reproduce submitted materi-
als in any medium for educational, training and/ or promotional purposes relating to the IB’s activities, or to

those related activities of which it approves. Schools must not submit a child’s work if such written permission
is not given.
11.4 MYP, DP, CP: Candidates produce materials in a variety of forms that are submitted to the IB as part of the
assessment requirements. These assessment materials (hereinafter “materials”) include all forms of written
work, audio and visual materials, computer programs and data and, in certain cases, may contain images or
voices of the candidates.

11.5 MYP, DP, CP: Candidates retain copyright in all materials submitted for assessment purposes, but by submit-
ting those materials, and subject to Article 11.7, candidates thereby grant the IB a non-exclusive, charge-free,

worldwide licence (with the right to sub-license), for the duration of the applicable jurisdiction’s copyright pro-
tection, to:

a. reproduce submitted materials,
b. use the image and voice of the candidate where they appear on audio or video materials and
c. reproduce any musical performances in any medium.
This is for assessment, educational, training and/or promotional purposes relating to the IB’s activities, or to
those related activities of which it approves. Such licence shall become effective from the date of submission
to the IB but be subject to data protection and privacy requirements.
11.6 MYP, DP, CP: Where the IB uses these materials for purposes other than assessment, it may modify, translate
or otherwise change them to meet particular needs and will anonymize them before publication in print or in
electronic form or use them in accordance with data protection and privacy requirements.
11.7 MYP, DP, CP: Schools are responsible for informing students and their legal guardians of the licence granted to

the IB in their materials and the IB will have no liability in this respect. Under exceptional circumstances a can-
didate and/or a candidate’s legal guardian may withdraw the aspects of the licence relating to use of a candi-
date’s work outside of an assessment context for a specific piece of work. In such case the IB must be notified

in accordance with the procedure described in the Assessment procedures. The candidate must submit a writ-
ten notification to the school’s coordinator who has the duty to inform the IB by the due date set forth in the

assessment procedures. In these cases, the IB will use the material only for assessment purposes as defined in
Article 11.5.
11.8 MYP, DP, CP; Under the licence granted upon submission for assessment purposes, the IB can electronically
scan, store or reproduce submitted materials in any media in order to allow the materials to be communicated

to examiners, moderators and any other persons involved in the assessment process or any subsequent ap-
peals (including third-party vendors and/or services providers). The materials may also be used in the training

of examiners. Material for which a candidate has withdrawn the aspects of the licence relating to use of candi-
date work outside of an assessment context will not be placed in any IB publications or for any commercial or

promotional purposes.

Article 12: Use of student and candidate data and school information
12.1 Personal data
a. The IB operates globally and is subject to a variety of legal requirements about personal data, personal

information and privacy, so it manages the protection of student data and other personal data and infor-
mation on a global basis. IB’s privacy practices are described in the IB’s privacy policy [insert link].

b. Schools are based all over the world and are subject to data protection and privacy laws and regulations
regarding personal data and information in their respective countries. Each school hereby represents and
warrants to the IB that it complies with the applicable data protection and privacy laws in its respective
country with respect to student data and educator data (defined below) and will fully cooperate with the
IB in complying with any such laws.
c. Schools should be familiar with the purposes for which the IB may use student data and educator data of
students and educators in their schools, which are described in the IB’s privacy policy (insert link) and the
potential for international transfers of that data.
d. In order to implement the IB programme, the school and their staff will need to provide some student
data to the IB and the IB will collect educator data. Each school acknowledges and agrees that the IB may
collect, process and use educator data about their staff as described in the IB’s privacy policy.
e. Schools must take all appropriate measures internally and within their respective school communities to
ensure the uses and transfers of the student data and educator data involved with being an IB World

School are internally authorized and in compliance with all data protection and privacy laws, rules, regula-
tions and policies that are applicable to their school.

f. The IB shall not be responsible for schools’ compliance with any data protection or privacy law, rules or
regulations applicable to them. Each school undertakes to hold the IB harmless with regard to any legal
action taken by students, their legal guardians or other third parties with respect to such school’s breach
or violation any data protection or privacy law applicable to the school in connection with the IB.
12.2 School Information

a. School information: is any data relating to the school (but not student data or educator data) that is re-
lated to a school’s process of applying, becoming and maintaining its status as a candidate or authorized

school, and includes, but is not limited to, information and materials gathered during a school’s candidacy
phase and the school’s authorization process.
b. The IB shall own all school information provided by a school from the point of its first contact with the IB.
Each school hereby acknowledges and agrees that the IB may use school information for purposes related
to the IB programmes and mission; evaluating and improving its programmes and services, including but
not limited to, research and statistical analysis of IB programme/course implementation, participation,

impact or effectiveness and student/candidate outcomes; professional development and training pur-
poses; and for promotional and marketing purposes.

c. Each school also hereby acknowledges and agrees that these purposes may involve transfer and disclo-
sure of school information to third parties on a need-to-know basis or as permitted by applicable law.

Third parties may include, but are not limited to, service providers providing business and operational ser-
vices to the IB (such as payment processing and IT hosting services); online course providers; independent

researchers engaged or sponsored by the IB; contractors and consultants in the IB educator network; as-
sociations of IB World Schools; and organizations that control, govern, regulate or fund the school (such

as a school’s district/municipal, state/provincial or national departments of education or accrediting bod-
ies). The IB may also disclose school information if required by applicable law, judicial proceeding, court

order or other legal process or where IB believes it is necessary to investigate, prevent or take action re-
garding illegal activities, suspected fraud, potential threats to safety of any person, or if necessary, in liti-
gation or legal proceeding.

d. The IB acknowledges that school information may contain information that is considered confidential by a
school. Accordingly, the IB will keep the school information in confidence expected as outlined above and

will exercise due diligence and the same care and safeguards with respect to school information as it ap-
plies to its confidential information.

e. Schools must take all appropriate measures internally and within their respective school communities to
ensure that the sharing of school information with the IB that is involved with being an IB World school is
internally authorized and in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations and policies that are applicable to
their school.

12.3 School’s obligations with respect to data
a. Schools are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of any data (student data, educator data and/or school
information) they share with, or transfer to the IB, and that all sharing and transferring of data to the IB is

done in accordance with all laws, rules, regulations and policies (including but not limited to those regard-
ing data protection, privacy and/or confidentiality) that may be applicable to them.

b. To the extent required under data protection or privacy law, rules or regulations applicable to them, each

school represents, warrants and undertakes to provide notice and/or seek express consent from stu-
dents/candidates and/or their legal guardians for processing, sharing and/or transferring of student data to

the IB.
c. Each school shall ensure that any transfers of student data or educator data by it are done in compliance

with requirements governing international and onward data transfers. Each school represents and war-
rants to the IB that any student data transferred to the IB by the school may be further transferred as de-
scribed above without violating the privacy or data protection rights of any students/candidates.

d. Each school undertakes that a student/candidate or their legal guardian may direct their requests to the
school in accordance with local legal requirements. In the event that the IB receives a request regarding
student data from a student/candidate or their legal guardian, each school undertakes to provide the IB
with full cooperation and assistance.
Article 13: Withdrawal or suspension of authorization
13.1 Authorization to offer IB programme(s) may be withdrawn by the IB, in its sole discretion, for any reason.
Withdrawal may be effective immediately or after some period of notice, as may be determined by the IB in its
sole discretion. Examples of situations in which the IB may withdraw a school’s authorization include, but are
not limited to, those in which the IB determines that:
a. a school does not comply with these rules or other requirements listed in Article 2
b. a school ceases to be registered as a legal entity under local law

c. a school no longer holds the required licensure or accreditation by the local authorities and/or, if appli-
cable, independent recognized accreditation agencies, indicating that it is licensed/accredited to provide

educational services to students of the ages served by the programme(s) the school is providing
d. a school has gone through major changes in its governance, leadership, staff, and/or organizational

structure that result in it being an essentially different school from the one that was granted authoriza-
tion

e. a school has not satisfactorily demonstrated that it has met the Programme standards and practices and
programme requirements
f. a school has failed to observe the requirements for administering the programme as described herein
and in the relevant IB documentation
g. the school does not resolve matters identified by the IB within the timeline defined by the IB
h. a school misuses the intellectual property of the IB or fails to take reasonable steps to protect the IB’s

intellectual property rights and to prevent any use that is contrary to the IB’s “Rules for use of IB intellec-
tual property” and online terms and conditions

i. the school has not ensured that all fees related to any authorized programme(s) offered by the school
and to any programme(s) for which the school is pursuing authorization have been paid in accordance
with the scales of fees, assigned currency and timetable for payments currently set by the IB
j. a school objects to or fails to comply with any standard amendment to these Rules for IB World Schools
or any of the other documents listed in Article 2, that is, any amendment that is decided by the IB and is
applicable to all schools
k. a school ceases to offer the IB programme(s)
l. CP: for schools authorized to offer the CP based upon their authorization to offer the DP, the school’s
authorization to implement the DP has been withdrawn by the IB or terminated by the school.
13.2 Authorization to offer IB programme(s) may be suspended by the IB, in its sole discretion, for any reason and

upon such conditions as the IB may determine for a period not to exceed two academic years. During a sus-
pension of authorization, the school may not offer the suspended programme. Suspension conditions, if any,

that are not complied with or otherwise resolved may result in full withdrawal of authorization to offer IB pro-
gramme(s).

Examples of situations in which the IB may suspend a school’s authorization include, but are not limited to,
those in which the IB determines that:
a. a school is unable to offer the programme due to conflict or war, natural or man-made disasters
b. a school is unable to offer the programme due to extreme financial hardship for the school or district.
c. a school has no students participating or able to participate in the programme but where there is an
expectation that the school will have student participation within two years.

d. a school fails to meet the requirements for authorized schools, but the IB approves a plan for remedy-
ing the matters within two years.

e. CP: for schools authorized to offer the CP based upon their authorization to offer the DP, the suspen-
sion of the DP will also result in the suspension of the CP.

13.3 In all cases the school will receive written notice of any decision to withdraw or suspend authorization.
13.4 Any decision to suspend authorization to offer the IB programme(s) is taken by the director, IB World Schools
of the IB, or his or her authorized delegate. The director’s decision is not subject to appeal and will take effect
as specified in the notice of suspension.
13.5 Any decision to withdraw authorization to offer the IB programme(s) is taken by the Director General of the IB,
or his or her authorized delegate. The Director General’s decision is not subject to appeal and will take effect
as specified in the notice of withdrawal.
Article 14: Termination by schools
14.1 A school may terminate its authorization to offer the IB programme(s) effective from a date established by the
school in consultation with the IB. Fees remain payable to the IB until the agreed termination date.
Article 15: Name and status of schools

15.1 No authorized school may have a legal or preferred name which includes the words “International Baccalaure-
ate”, “IB” or “World School” in any form or language, nor may they have any trademarks or pending applica-
tions containing such words.

15.2 A school must be and remain duly registered as a legal entity under local law—either for profit or not-for-
profit, privately or publicly funded.

15.3 A school must have and maintain the required licensure or accreditation by the local authorities and/or, if ap-
plicable, independent recognized accreditation agencies, indicating that it is licensed/accredited to provide

educational services to students of the ages served by the programme(s) for which the school is authorized.

15.4 A school must inform the IB in writing of any changes in its legal status, legal or preferred/trade/”Doing Busi-
ness As” (DBA) name, licensure, or structure.

Article 16: Multiple campus programmes
16.1 If a school is divided between two or more campuses, each campus is normally deemed a separate IB World
School.
16.2 In some cases the IB recognizes that a single programme may, for logistical reasons, be taught in a school with

two or more campuses as a multiple campus programme. If the following criteria are satisfied, the IB may re-
gard a multiple campus programme as a single school for the purposes of recognition and fees.

a. All campuses are recognized as comprising a single school according to legal and local registrations.

b. The head of school is responsible for the day-to-day educational leadership of the school across cam-
puses, is regularly present and equally accessible to staff on all campuses and is formally recognized as

such by the staff and, if applicable, also by the local authorities.

c. The campuses are governed by the same governing body and rules and regulations, including organiza-
tional structure and, if applicable, school fee tariff.

d. One IB programme coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the programme across
each of the campuses and is regularly present and equally accessible to staff on all campuses
e. There is horizontal and vertical articulation of each programme across the campuses.
f. The staff across campuses meet frequently for ongoing collaborative planning.