Douglas Byrd High – IB Extended Essay

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the IB Academy The Extended Essay is a compulsory, externally assessed piece of independent research into a topic chosen by the student and presented as a formal piece of academic writing. The extended essay is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery, and creativity while engaging students in personal research. This leads to a significant piece of formally presented, structured writing of up to 4,000 words in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned, coherent, and appropriate manner. Students are guided through research and writing by an assigned supervisor (a school teacher). All students undertake three mandatory reflection sessions with their supervisor, including a short interview or viva voce, after completing the extended essay.