The IBO was created in Geneva in 1963 by a group of member schools of the International Schools Association. These schools formed the International Schools Examination Syndicate (ISES) to plan a full curriculum and examination system. In 1968 the ISES changed its name to the International Baccalaureate Organization and was given legal status under the Swiss Civil Code.

 

The IBO Headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and the IBO Curriculum and Assessment Center is in Cardiff, Wales. The IBO has regional offices in North and South America, Asia, Europe and Africa. IB Asia-Pacific, the support office of Manila Xiamen International School, is located in Singapore. 

 

The IB diploma is highly regarded for entry into universities throughout the world and for advanced placement at many colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Oxford University was the first university to accept the IB diploma as an entrance qualification. Now universities world-wide recognize the diploma graduate as having completed one of the finest liberal arts educations available.