Supporting Informed Choices, the IBDP Course Selection Fair

Choosing courses for the IB Diploma Programme is a significant milestone for students and families, and this year WAB introduced a new way to support that process: the school’s first-ever IBDP Course Selection Fair. 

Designed primarily for Grade 10 students and their parents, the fair created a space for conversation and clarity as students prepare to transition into Grade 11. Across the event, families engaged with subject teachers, department leaders, and most importantly current Grade 11 and 12 IB students who shared their lived experiences of the courses. 

Throughout the fair, each subject area hosted its own table, offering clear overviews of course content, expectations, skills developed, and possible pathways. QR codes linked families directly to course videos and online resources, allowing students to explore further at their own pace. Sample student work, assessments, and course materials helped bring each subject to life. 

What made the fair especially meaningful was the presence of student ambassadors from Grades 11 and 12. Alongside teachers, they spoke openly about what it feels like to take each course, sharing not just what is taught, but how learning happens, where challenges arise, and how teachers support students along the way. For many Grade 10 students, hearing these first-hand perspectives helped demystify the IB and make future learning feel more accessible. 

“I think it’s helpful because you get two different perspectives,” one student shared. “Teachers talk about how they teach the subject, and students talk about what it’s really like learning it: the challenges, the support, and the experience.” 

Parents also valued the opportunity to ask questions directly and gather information in one place. For families new to the IB curriculum, the fair offered reassurance. As one parent reflected, having access to teachers, students, and resources in one setting made the process feel far less overwhelming and far more purposeful. 

At its core, the Course Selection Fair reflects WAB’s commitment to student-centered learning and agency, and informed choice. By providing multiple entry points, presentations, conversations, digital resources, and authentic student voices, the school aims to reduce anxiety and empower students to select courses that align with their interests, strengths, and goals. 

As students begin planning the next stage of their learning journey, the course fair serves as an important reminder: meaningful choices are best made when students feel informed, supported, and confident in their understanding of what lies ahead.