The International Baccalaureate has just released a new, detailed document titled “The International Baccalaureate in the United States: Growth, Access and Outcomes 2024-2025”, which focuses on how IB programs have grown, who is accessing the programs, and how students are performing. This Inclusive Excellence Report examines data across the United States and presents a clear view of student reach, school-level development, and program impact. The tone of the report is analytical, and the data has been organized in a structured format to support educators, policymakers, and stakeholders.
Steady Growth of IB Programmes Across the United States
According to the Inclusive Excellence Report, the number of IB programmes continues to grow in many states. This 2024–2025 cycle was marked by increasing numbers for authorized IB World Schools, as well as candidate schools preparing for authorization. The growth is seen across all program types such as the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP).
The report says school districts are taking up the IB framework due to its global recognition, structured curriculum model, and emphasis on critical thinking. Many district leaders reported that expanding access to IB is part of their long-range academic planning. Public schools represent the largest percentage of the new additions, indicating access is moving beyond private institutions.
Expansion Is Strongest in Public and Title I Schools
One of the high points of the Inclusive Excellence Report is the rise in membership of Title I schools into the IB network. Title I schools serve communities with low-income residents, and participation is indicative of a growing commitment to equity and access. The report shows that IB programs are no longer seen as exclusive or reserved for high-performing districts, as more and more administrators strive to bring the program to a diverse set of communities.
The report says that this is made possible through federal and state grants, local partnerships, and district-level funding initiatives. The shift now supports the IB mission: to provide high-quality education for all students, irrespective of background.
Improved Access for Underrepresented Student Groups
The Inclusive Excellence Report includes access data for a variety of demographic groups. It shows a measurable increase in participation from English language learners, and first-generation college aspirants. Many schools reported that the IB curriculum encourages them to provide expanded academic support, counseling, and resources.
The report explains that inclusive enrollment has been an intentional target area. The districts are adopting open-access models, reducing restrictions, and providing more preparatory courses. That’s increased the diversity of IB classrooms and reduced opportunity gaps. The data reflects steady improvement, although the report also acknowledges that more work is needed.
Student Outcomes Continue to Strengthen Across IB Programmes
A large part of the Inclusive Excellence Report deals with student performance outcomes. For the 2024–2025 cycle, in the United States, IB students continue to perform better in standardized assessments, college readiness metrics, and university acceptance rates than non-IB counterparts.
Key findings include:
- Students of the IB Diploma Programme have better academic writing and research skills.
- IB Career-related Programme students will showcase enhanced career preparedness and industry-specific competencies.
- A high percentage of IB graduates enter four-year institutions.
- IB participation is positively related to increased college persistence and graduation rates.
It also emphasizes how such results are largely consistent for all demographic subgroups, further testifying to the commitment of the program to inclusive excellence.
Indicators of College Readiness Improve Strongly
The section of the Inclusive Excellence Report dealing with college readiness includes information on AP comparisons, SAT performance, ACT benchmarks, and recognition of university credit. The data shows that IB students come into college with effective academic habits. Universities continue to regard IB coursework as rigorous and reliable.
The report identifies growing U.S. institutions offering credit or advanced standing for the Higher-Level exams. This trend will persist and create more affordable pathways for students on the path of higher education.
Districts Report Positive Impact on Teaching Practices
The Inclusive Excellence Report also examines how IB implementation affects teaching. The educators described the programme as being supportive of inquiry-based learning and professional development. Teachers reported improvements in instructional strategies, assessment alignment, and class engagement.
The report, on its part, cites collaborative planning sessions and IB-led training workshops as having helped schools use more innovative teaching methods. Most schools are investing in long-term IB training to help faculty maintain the quality standards.
Challenges Identified in the 2024–2025 Report
Although the overall trend is positive, the Inclusive Excellence Report outlines several challenges:
- Funding constraints for smaller districts
- Teacher shortages and IB-specific training requirements
- Need for increased access to digital resources
- Ensuring consistent programme quality across states
According to the report, for long-term growth, addressing these challenges will be indispensable.
Conclusion
IB programmes in the United States continue to grow, reach more students, and improve educational outcomes. Access is expanding in both public schools and Title I schools, showing that the programme is supporting diverse communities. Student outcomes remain strong, and teaching quality is improving across districts. This report concludes that, with further support, funding, and training, the United States will significantly enhance both access and excellence within the International Baccalaureate ecosystem