Which High Schools offer the IB Diploma in SA?

Manoj Arachige -

The International Baccalaureate, more commonly known as the IB, is a secondary school credential founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland. It is different from the ATAR, but widely popular in Australia due to its universal application. If you are planning on getting an IB diploma in South Australia, this article has all the information you need to know.

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Article Summary:

- What is the IB?
- How is the IB different from the ATAR?
- Can I apply to Australian Universities with an IB Diploma?
- Which High Schools offer the IB Diploma?
- FAQs

What is the IB?

The International Baccalaureate was designed to provide a universal, standardised and more importantly, transferable diploma for students who would move abroad.

Upon entering year 11, Australian students can choose the educational curriculum (ATAR or IB) they would like to pursue in order to complete their high school diploma. Whilst the ATAR used to be more popular, more and more students are now opting to undergo the IB program due to its challenging curriculum, and potential benefits upon applying for university.

Find out more about the IB curriculum in this KIS Academics blog:

How the IB works: Understanding the International Baccalaureate Curriculum
Confused about the IB and not sure how it actually works? Wondering how an IB differs from the ATAR, or which one is better? Not to worry, join us as we take a deep dive into everything IB-related: how it’s structured, how it’s graded, the benefits and many more!
KIS Academics BlogManoj Arachige

How is the IB different from the ATAR?

The IB curriculum is known to be more vigorous and demanding than the traditional Australian certificates.

  • For starters, in certificates such as the VCE and HSC, only results from year 12 assessments count towards a student’s ATAR. In the IB, however, both year 11 and 12 content counts towards the final grade.
  • Secondly, the only compulsory subject in standard credentials in English (or a related subject such as Literature). On the other hand, in the IB, students must study one subject from six different subject areas.

To find out ore about the differences, check out this KIS Academics article below:

IB vs ATAR: What’s the difference?
What is this elusive IB thing, you ask? How does it compare with the ATAR? And what is the best option for me? Well, you’re in the right place because we answer all those burning questions right here!
KIS Academics BlogManoj Arachige

Can I apply to Australian Universities with an IB Diploma?

Australian Universities definitely accept students who completed the IB Diploma. Some even provide credit exemptions, such as University of Adelaide.

For university admission in Australia, your IB scores will be converted into ATARs. Over the years, this conversion has caused some controversy, with some arguing that the conversions are overly generous, while others say otherwise.

This is the most updated conversion chart released by SATAC in 2025:

IBAS Score Equivalent ATAR
45.75 99.95
45.50 99.95
45.25 99.90
45.00 99.85
44.75 99.75
44.50 99.70
44.25 99.60
44.00 99.50
43.75 99.35
43.50 99.25
43.25 99.10
43.00 98.90
42.75 98.75
42.50 98.55
42.25 98.35
42.00 98.20
41.75 98.00
41.50 97.80
41.25 97.55
41.00 97.30
40.75 97.05
40.5 96.80
40.25 96.55
40.00 96.30
39.75 96.00
39.50 95.75
39.25 95.50
39.00 95.25
38.75 95.00
38.50 94.75
38.25 94.50
38.00 94.25
37.75 93.95
37.50 93.70
37.25 93.35
37.00 93.00
36.75 92.65
36.50 92.30
36.25 91.90
36.00 91.45
35.75 91.05
35.50 90.60
35.25 90.15
35.00 89.75
34.75 89.30
34.50 88.85
34.25 88.50
34.00 88.15
33.75 87.80
33.50 87.45
33.25 86.80
33.00 86.20
32.75 85.55
32.50 84.90
32.25 84.45
32.00 84.00
31.75 83.55
31.50 83.10
31.25 82.55
31.00 82.00
30.75 81.45
30.50 80.90
30.25 80.40
30.00 79.90
29.75 79.35
29.5 78.85
29.25 78.25
29.00 77.65
28.75 77.05
28.50 76.45
28.25 75.80
28.00 75.20
27.75 74.55
27.50 73.90
27.25 73.25
27.00 72.65
26.75 72.00
26.5 71.35
26.25 70.55
26.00 69.75
25.75 68.90
25.50 68.10
25.25 67.50
25.00 66.90
24.75 66.30
24.50 65.70
24.25 65.00
24.00 64.25
0 0.10

How are IB scores converted into ATAR?
With the IB diploma becoming a more popular curriculum choice for Australian students, universities need a fair way of comparing IB and ATAR students for admission. So how do IB scores get converted for Australian University admission?
KIS Academics BlogManoj Arachige

Which High Schools offer the IB Diploma?

School TypeSchool Name
PublicAberfoyle Park High School
PublicGlenunga International High School
PublicNorwood Morialta High School
PublicRoma Mitchell Secondary College
PublicUnley High School
PrivateMercedes College
PrivatePembroke School
PrivatePrince Alfred College
PrivateSt Peter’s College
PrivateSt Peter’s Girls’ School

To find out more about the IB curriculum in each school, please refer to the official school websites.

Conclusion

To end off, the IB curriculum is very different from the ATARs. If you are unsure which one is for you, you can find out more in this KIS Academics article. You can also get a tutor from KIS Academics and find out more about which curriculum best suits you!

FAQS

Can I convert my IB scores to an ATAR?

How is the IB Assessed?

  • Assessment includes a mix of internal tasks (marked by teachers and moderated externally) and external exams (marked by international IB examiners).
  • Each subject is graded from 1 to 7. Up to three extra points can be earned for the core (TOK and EE), making 45 the highest possible score.
  • Find out more in this article by KIS Academics.

Can I switch from IB to SACE, or vice versa?

  • Most schools allow students to transfer between IB and SACE at the end of Year 11, but this may affect subject credits and university eligibility.
  • It’s advisable, and important, to first discuss options with your IB coordinator/ school advisor.

Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!