Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) –
Genesis College

A private educational institution is a school authorised and accredited by the Ministry of Education and regulated by ARACIP, which operates independently of the state education system, under private ownership and without public funding. These educational institutions are non-profit organisations and are supported through tuition fees or sponsorships, giving them autonomy in curriculum and recruitment, as well as the ability to invest continuously in modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art educational resources and a significantly more favourable student-to-teacher ratio than in the public system.

Genesis College, located in the Băneasa area of Sector 1, is the first accredited private school in Bucharest, with more than 26 years of experience and national accreditation (Ministry of Education, ARACIP) and international recognition through the International Baccalaureate®.

At Genesis College, classes have 18–22 students, resources are continuously invested in quality, and the educational plan is adapted to each child. With more than 26 years of experience, Genesis is a pioneer in Romania’s private education landscape and is among the few schools offering the IB Continuum, with all three IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).

Yes. All diplomas issued by Genesis College are officially recognised by the Romanian state, as the school is accredited by the Ministry of Education for all pre-primary and pre-university education levels: kindergarten, primary school, middle school and high school.

In addition, students who complete the IB Diploma Programme obtain an international diploma recognised by universities around the world, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, London School of Economics, Sorbonne University and ETH Zürich.

Starting in Grade X, a Genesis College student can choose to continue their studies through either the national or international pathway, with the possibility of obtaining either the Romanian Baccalaureate diploma or the IB Diploma. Depending on the pathway chosen, the university route may differ: the Romanian diploma provides access to universities in Romania and to certain universities abroad, while the IB Diploma provides access to more than 5,000 universities worldwide.

Private schools such as Genesis College offer an integrated educational package that extends significantly beyond the standard provision of the public education system. The main differences include:

▸ Classes with fewer students, allowing teachers to provide meaningful individual attention to each child.

▸ Integrated curriculum – national and international (IB) – combining the rigour of the Romanian curriculum with the global perspective of the IB programmes.

▸ Bilingual education (Romanian-English), with native-speaking teachers and Cambridge certification.

▸ Modern campus with STEAM laboratories, libraries organised according to IB principles, sports halls, visual arts studios and relaxation areas.

▸ A curriculum enrichment programme with clubs covering entrepreneurship, art, music, sport, technology, financial education and artificial intelligence.

▸ School counselling, career guidance and professional social-emotional support integrated into the educational programme.

▸ Permanent medical assistance, healthy nutrition and 24/7 campus security.

Quite the opposite. At Genesis College, academic standards are high and overlap: students follow the full national curriculum while also completing the IB programmes (PYP, MYP or DP), which add components such as interdisciplinary projects, individual research, community service and international external assessment.

The real difference lies not in the level of difficulty, but in the approach: rather than focusing on memorisation, the emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem-solving and real-world application. Students learn not only what to think, but how to think – a skill that is essential for success at university and in the workplace.

Genesis College is among the few schools in Romania offering the IB Continuum with bilingual Romanian-English education, giving students the option at the end of high school to obtain either the national diploma (Romanian Baccalaureate) or the IB Diploma, depending on the pathway chosen for Grades XI–XII.

Unlike international schools that teach exclusively in English, Genesis provides a strong bilingual foundation: students study in both Romanian and English from kindergarten onwards, with an increased number of English lessons throughout the PYP and MYP. Students who continue with the IB pathway during the final two years of high school complete the Diploma Programme, taught exclusively in English – a natural transition built progressively throughout their previous educational journey.

The school has a dedicated kindergarten campus and Genesis Tower for the other educational levels, both located in the north of Bucharest, in the Băneasa area, five minutes from Piața Presei. With more than 26 years of experience, Genesis combines international rigour with authentic Romanian educational roots.

Genesis offers the advantage of a bilingual educational model, in Romanian and English, combining the international IB curriculum with the national curriculum, so that students can become genuinely bilingual and perform in both an international context and the Romanian education system.

Unlike an international school that teaches exclusively in English, Genesis College allows children to maintain their connection with the Romanian language, culture and academic requirements without limiting access to international opportunities. This model can be valuable both for Romanian families seeking flexibility in their children’s educational and university pathway and for international families living in Romania long-term who want their children to integrate more easily into the local environment.

Tuition fees represent a direct investment in your child’s education and cover a comprehensive package: educational activities based on the IB and national curricula, access to all campus facilities (laboratories, libraries and sports halls), extracurricular programmes and clubs, educational counselling and career guidance, permanent medical assistance, healthy nutrition and comprehensive security.

Unlike the public system, where families may often incur additional costs for private tutoring, foreign language courses or extracurricular activities, at Genesis College these components are integrated into the standard educational offering.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global educational framework present in more than 5,700 schools worldwide, which prioritises critical thinking, research and practical application rather than memorisation. The programme was founded in 1968 in Geneva and is recognised by more than 5,000 universities, including all universities in the global top 100 according to the QS World Rankings.

Genesis College offers the full IB Continuum (PYP + MYP + DP), integrated with the national curriculum. This means that a child can follow 15 years of IB education – from kindergarten through to the international Baccalaureate – within a single educational ecosystem, without changing schools, adapting to a new system or losing continuity. IB is not simply a curriculum – it is a comprehensive educational philosophy, with each programme developing different skills, from curiosity and play in the early years to independent research in high school.

For families comparing options: Bucharest has several schools offering individual IB programmes (PYP only or DP only). Genesis College offers the complete pathway, meaning that your educational investment is supported from ages 3 to 19.

It is not a question of which is “better”, but of different approaches. The Romanian Baccalaureate assesses factual knowledge, while the IB Diploma assesses critical thinking, independent research and communication. At Genesis, students can choose to obtain either the national or international diploma, depending on their pathway during the final two years of high school (Grades XI–XII), supporting university options both in Romania and internationally.

The Extended Essay, part of the IB Diploma preparation, is a 4,000-word research project that prepares students for the type of academic work required at university.

IB students learn to think, research and communicate effectively – not simply to memorise information for an examination. In practical terms, this includes interdisciplinary projects, oral presentations, individual research, volunteering (through the CAS component) and assessments that test deep understanding rather than mechanical reproduction.

These are skills that universities value when assessing applicants.

Genesis College bases its entire educational approach on the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy, which places the child at the centre of the educational process. We believe that every student has unique potential that we have a responsibility to discover, develop and support.

Our vision integrates academic achievement with social-emotional development, nurturing young people who think critically, act with empathy and take responsibility towards their local and global communities. The IB programmes – PYP, MYP and DP – are integrated with the national curriculum, creating a balance between the values of Romanian education and contemporary international perspectives.

Genesis College holds national accreditation and is authorised to offer IB programmes, providing recognition at both national and international levels.

▸ National accreditation – Ministry of Education and ARACIP, for all levels: kindergarten, primary school, middle school and high school.

▸ International Baccalaureate – International Baccalaureate® Organisation (IBO), as an IB Continuum School: PYP (Primary Years Programme), MYP (Middle Years Programme) and DP (Diploma Programme).

▸ Cambridge examination centre – students can take Cambridge English examinations (from YLE to CAE) directly on campus, in the familiar environment of their school.

This combination of national accreditation and international programmes makes Genesis College one of the most comprehensive private educational institutions in Romania.

Genesis College differentiates itself through several strategic factors that together create a distinctive educational offering in Bucharest:

▸ Pioneer – The first accredited private school in Bucharest, with more than 26 years of continuous operation.

▸ IB Continuum School – We offer the full IB pathway (PYP + MYP + DP), integrated with the national curriculum, allowing students to access international education while maintaining a connection to the Romanian educational system.

▸ Genesis Tower – The main campus is a modern nine-storey tower covering more than 10,000 sqm, a smart building designed for safety, comfort and optimal functionality, with modern educational spaces organised by learning stage, laboratories, STEAM centres, outdoor terraces, libraries, art and music studios and relaxation areas.

▸ Bilingual education – Teaching in Romanian and English, with native-speaking teachers.

▸ The first fully digitalised school in Romania – Integration of educational technology into every aspect of the learning process.

▸ Active community – Genesis for Life Foundation, the Genesis community, Alumni, cultural partnerships and volunteering programmes.

At Genesis College, every student benefits from a personalised educational pathway. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to understand each child’s needs, talents and learning pace in depth.

IB programmes include continuous formative assessment, rather than relying only on summative assessment, meaning that teachers continuously monitor progress and adapt their teaching strategies. In addition, the school provides educational counselling and career guidance, professional social-emotional support and extracurricular programmes that respond to students’ diverse interests – from entrepreneurship to art, and from technology to sport.

The family is an essential partner in the Genesis College educational model. Parents are actively involved in school events and campaigns, Open UP! conferences where parents meet education specialists, regular meetings with teachers, detailed progress reports and access to the counselling team.

Genesis College encourages ongoing dialogue between school and family, based on the premise that “the family’s moral values should align with the school’s educational principles” – a condition that we assess from the admissions process onwards.

Genesis College is an environment for children who are curious, eager to learn and willing to explore. The IB model is well suited to students who respond well to inquiry-based learning, who ask questions and who want to understand “why”, not only “what”.

Families who choose Genesis are generally parents who are actively involved, view education as a long-term investment and want their children to have both strong roots in Romanian culture and the opportunities to pursue a global career.

We want curious and motivated children, not necessarily “top students”. Admissions assesses potential, attitude and the desire to grow – not just grades.

Genesis College attracts families looking for an alternative to memorisation and performance under pressure. If your child asks questions, gets involved in areas that interest them and is open to trying new things, this can be a positive sign.

Learning at Genesis is active: discussions, practical projects and real-life problems. Teachers guide research rather than simply delivering content. Unlike a traditional model based on lectures and textbooks, Genesis students ask questions, investigate and collaborate.

The result is children who know how to think independently, rather than simply reproduce information.

For parents coming from the state system: the transition may feel different at first, but most students adapt quickly and become visibly more motivated within the first few months.

IB is different, not more difficult. It develops thinking and research skills rather than relying primarily on memorisation, and many children become more engaged once they become familiar with the approach. The programme is designed to meet students at their level, with differentiation within the classroom. Teachers and school counsellors monitor progress and provide additional support where needed.

A quality private kindergarten provides a safe, stimulating and professional environment that can make a difference during the critical early years of development.

Genesis Kindergarten operates on a dedicated campus at 89A Șoseaua Străulești, five minutes from Piața Presei, with bright classrooms, modular natural wood furniture and oak flooring treated with antibacterial protection.

Groups are small, teachers specialise in early childhood education, and the IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) is integrated from this age into the national curriculum, transforming play into authentic learning adapted to each child.

At Genesis Kindergarten, early childhood education focuses on the holistic development of the child: cognitive, social-emotional, physical and creative.

Through the IB PYP, children learn through exploration, guided play and inquiry – “play-based inquiry”. In practical terms, this means that a four-year-old does not mechanically recite the alphabet, but discovers letters through stories, art, movement and experimentation.

Bilingual education (Romanian-English) begins naturally at kindergarten, and children develop a natural familiarity with English that can become an advantage in the following years.

Absolutely. The kindergarten programme is designed as a natural bridge to primary school at Genesis College.

Children develop not only basic academic skills (pre-reading, pre-writing and mathematical concepts), but also essential skills for school success: concentration, emotional self-regulation, cooperation, structured curiosity and self-confidence.

The transition from kindergarten to Preparatory Grade takes place within the same educational ecosystem, with teachers communicating across levels and a dedicated integration programme designed to ensure continuity.

At kindergarten, assessment is formative and continuous, rather than based on tests or grades. Teachers document each child’s progress through direct observation, portfolios of work, photographs and reflective notes, in accordance with the IB PYP framework.

Parents receive detailed reports and have regular meetings with teachers to discuss their child’s development. This approach respects each child’s natural pace of development and avoids pressure that is inappropriate for their age.

Genesis College offers a continuous IB pathway across four stages, without abrupt transitions between cycles:

• Kindergarten (PYP Early Years) – learning through play, curiosity and socialisation
• Primary School (PYP) – conceptual thinking, foundational skills and guided inquiry
• Middle School (MYP) – independence, interdisciplinary projects and critical thinking
• High School (MYP, Grades IX–X) and High School (IB DP, Grades XI–XII) – rigorous university preparation, with a choice of national or international diploma

Kindergarten · Primary School · Middle School · High School · IB DP

The IB Diploma Programme is explicitly designed as a pre-university programme and develops skills valued by universities – not only expected, but actively demonstrated through students’ work. At Genesis College, university preparation begins in Grade IX, with research, critical thinking, self-management and personalised guidance for applications.

Specific competencies developed through the IB at Genesis College:

▸ Independent research – The Extended Essay provides genuine experience in academic writing during high school, with research methodology, correct citation and structured argumentation, developing a solid methodological approach, sound citation practices and structured argumentation – fundamental skills required in higher education from the beginning of the academic journey.

▸ Advanced critical thinking – Theory of Knowledge develops the ability to evaluate, question and compare sources of knowledge, a skill that universities in the UK may assess explicitly during admissions interviews.

▸ Time management and independence – Managing six subjects alongside the EE, TOK and CAS develops self-organisation skills. Claims about specific university completion rates should be supported by the relevant IBO research before publication.

▸ Communication skills are developed through formally assessed oral presentations, argumentative essays supported by detailed feedback against criteria, and structured debates – skills that are important in higher education.

▸ International perspective – Developing an international perspective enables students to approach reality from a global perspective, navigate cultural diversity and collaborate across cultures – skills relevant to international university environments and an increasingly globalised economy.

Research conducted by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) and independent research by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (UK) has examined outcomes for IB graduates. Specific claims about higher admission rates or university completion rates should be accompanied by the relevant studies and methodology before being published.

At Genesis College, the university counselling team guides each Diploma Programme student throughout the application process – from university selection to writing application essays and preparing for interviews. Genesis graduates have been accepted to universities in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Canada and Romania.

The process has four steps: online form, campus visit, age-appropriate assessment and family interview.

Step 1 — Complete the form to schedule a visit to our campus.

Step 2 — Visit the campus to meet the team and see the facilities.

Step 3 — The child participates in an assessment (observation / test, depending on the level).

Step 4 — Family interview to ensure alignment with the school’s values and culture and complete the admissions process.

Start the admissions process – Book a visit.

Enrolment for the 2026–2027 school year is open. Places are limited, so we recommend starting the process as early as possible, particularly for kindergarten and primary school, where demand is highest.

Contact the admissions team for current availability. Book a visit to get to know us.

Yes. The assessment is adapted to the child’s age – observation at kindergarten, and academic and language assessment for older students – together with a family interview.

The assessment is not an eliminatory examination, but part of the admissions process that helps us understand the child’s profile, learning style and whether Genesis is suited to their needs. It is equally an opportunity for the family to get to know us.

Yes, transfers are possible during the school year, subject to available places. The admissions team guides families through the transfer process step by step. Each case is assessed individually, taking into account academic level, social adjustment and administrative requirements.

Contact us to discuss your child’s specific situation.

Fees vary according to the level of study (kindergarten, primary school, middle school and high school). The educational fee consists of tuition, together with daily meal and administrative fees, which are detailed transparently here.

The educational fee covers the full academic programme, extracurricular activities, materials, counselling, daily meals and access to all facilities. There are no hidden costs for the services provided by the school.

See all details about the educational fee at Genesis College.

The educational fee covers the full academic programme, optional activities, daily meals, materials, access to all facilities and counselling services.

Extracurricular activities and optional trips are paid for separately. In addition, parents can opt for school transport provided by Genesis College, which is a door-to-door service operated with the school’s own minibuses and an internal team of drivers experienced in transporting children.

Financial transparency is important to us. At enrolment, you receive a detailed breakdown of everything included and everything that is optional, with no surprises.

Yes. Genesis College offers discounts for families with more than one child enrolled. Details about the discount policy and payment options are available on the website, in the Admissions section.

Yes. Instalment payment options are available. Contact the admissions team for a payment plan that suits you. Email us at admissions@genesis.ro or contact@genesis.ro.

Classes take place from Monday to Friday. In the morning: academic programme. In the afternoon: a programme dedicated to extracurricular and optional activities, available until 5:00–6:00 pm.

The schedule varies slightly depending on the level (kindergarten vs. high school). During your campus visit, you will receive the detailed schedule for your child’s age group.

Yes. Genesis offers school transport services on several routes across Bucharest. This is an optional, paid service. Routes and fees are determined annually based on demand.

Contact the admissions team for a detailed discussion about this service.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks are included in the educational fee and are mandatory for every child enrolled at Genesis College. The menu is balanced, and the school can adapt meals for allergies or specific dietary restrictions.

At enrolment, you will complete a form detailing any dietary restrictions your child may have. The medical and nutrition team ensures that every child can eat safely and healthily.

Yes, Genesis College has a school uniform. It is purchased separately and is not included in the tuition or educational fee. Details about the uniform designs and where they can be purchased are provided at enrolment.

Genesis College has a 100% pass rate across all national and international examinations, consistently achieving results above the national average in both the National Evaluation and Baccalaureate.

IB Diploma scores for Genesis graduates are available on the results page, including cohort averages and the diploma award rate.

This is an important indicator for families considering the IB DP. Data is updated annually.

Genesis graduates have been accepted to universities in the UK, the Netherlands, the USA, Germany, Italy and Romania.

Genesis College has school counsellors and psychologists on campus, a safe environment and social-emotional development programmes integrated into the daily routine.

Wellbeing is not an “extra” – it is part of the educational programme. Every child has access to emotional and academic support, and teachers are trained to recognise and respond early when a student needs help.

Genesis College has an explicit anti-bullying policy, with clear reporting, intervention and monitoring protocols.

Prevention is integrated into the school culture through social-emotional education programmes. Any reported incident is treated seriously, with the involvement of the counsellor, families and school management.

Genesis teachers receive IB training and certification and have experience teaching PYP, MYP and DP programmes. The IB requires rigorous ongoing professional development. Teachers regularly participate in international IB workshops and are periodically assessed. The stability of the teaching team is a priority for the school.

For parents concerned about continuity: teacher retention is an indicator that we actively monitor. Ask during your campus visit about the teaching team working with your child’s class.

Our admissions team will be happy to help. Schedule a campus visit or contact us directly.

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Yes, in full. Genesis College is accredited by the Ministry of Education and fully follows the national curriculum for all subjects. The difference is that, alongside the Romanian curriculum, students also benefit from the IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) framework, which enriches the content with interdisciplinary approaches, inquiry projects and an international perspective. In practice, your child receives everything offered by a top state school, plus the international IB component that prepares them for a globalised world.

The assessment system at Genesis College combines national assessment (grades, tests) with IB formative assessment. Throughout the year, students are assessed through projects, presentations, portfolios and personal reflections – not only through written tests. This diversified approach provides a complete picture of the child’s skills: not only what they know, but how they think, how they communicate and how they apply their knowledge in real-life contexts.

Extracurricular activities are an essential component, not an optional addition. The Genesis College Enrichment Programme offers clubs in entrepreneurship, art, music, sports, technology, financial education and foreign languages, accessible to all students. These activities develop social-emotional skills, STEAM skills, teamwork and artistic talents, complementing classroom-based academic activity. The IB philosophy supports the idea that a complete education means much more than performance in exams – and Genesis College puts this principle into practice every day.

Yes, Genesis College offers bilingual Romanian-English education from kindergarten, with native English-speaking teachers. The school is a Cambridge examination centre, which means that students can obtain international certifications (YLE, KET, PET, FCE, CAE) directly on campus, in the familiar school environment – a significant advantage in reducing exam-related stress. Over the years, more than 100 students have obtained Cambridge certifications in a single school year. In addition to English, students can also study other languages within the IB programmes.

The transition to Middle School is one of the most important moments in a child’s educational journey – and this is exactly where Genesis College makes a difference compared to any other school in Bucharest. Middle School students (Grades V–VIII) enter the IB MYP (Middle Years Programme), the only programme of its kind taught in Romanian in Romania. Specifically, this means: eight subject groups studied through interdisciplinary approaches, research projects, assessment based on international criteria, and a Personal Project in Grade X that is equivalent to a graduation paper for the Middle Years Programme.

For parents coming from the state education system: your child will fully follow the national curriculum, but will additionally develop critical thinking, oral presentation and project management skills that their peers may only discover at university.

For entrepreneurial parents: each MYP unit includes a Service as Action component, where students identify real problems in the community and propose solutions – exactly the problem-solving mindset you are looking for.

Yes, and the results speak for themselves. Genesis College students take the National Evaluation (Grade VIII) with a double advantage: rigorous preparation based on the national Romanian and Mathematics curriculum, plus advanced analysis, argumentation and time-management skills systematically developed through the IB MYP programme.

Specifically, students benefit from dedicated preparation sessions and regular mock exams under real examination conditions, starting in the first semester of Grade VIII. Our teachers are familiar with both the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Research and IB standards, and build lessons that cover both frameworks simultaneously.

The result: Genesis students arrive at the exam calmly, with clear strategies for approaching the subjects and with structured writing skills that examiners immediately notice.

For parents concerned about admission to top high schools in the state education system: Genesis College offers the most complete preparation possible – the full national curriculum, plus a critical-thinking approach that no private tutoring can replicate.

At Genesis College, we have built a complete support system that ensures performance without sacrificing the child’s emotional wellbeing. Our dedicated team includes a licensed school counsellor, clinical psychologist and safeguarding coordinator – all permanently present on campus, not just “on request”.

The IB MYP programme includes continuous formative assessment based on transparent criteria, which eliminates surprises during exams and reduces anxiety related to grades. Students receive specific feedback for each criterion (A, B, C, D) and know exactly what they need to improve – there is no longer a mysterious grade without an explanation.

For parents of sensitive or perfectionist children: the Genesis approach is designed to turn mistakes into a learning tool, rather than a source of stress. Mindfulness workshops, peer mentoring programmes between students and an explicit anti-bullying policy create an environment where children feel safe to try, fail constructively and grow.

For parents who have themselves experienced an education system based on fear and pressure: at Genesis, motivation comes from curiosity and personal ambition, and every student is encouraged to discover their passions and take action.

International Baccalaureate (IB) is the most respected pre-university educational programme in the world, founded in 1968 in Geneva and actively recognised by more than 5,000 universities, including all universities in the global top 100 (QS World Rankings). IB is not just a curriculum – it is a complete educational philosophy that develops young people capable of critical thinking, empathy, creativity and global responsibility.

Genesis College is the only school in Romania that offers the full IB Continuum (PYP + MYP + DP) in Romanian, integrated with the national curriculum. This means that a child can complete 15 years of IB education – from kindergarten to the international baccalaureate – within a single educational ecosystem, without transfer, without adaptation and without loss of continuity.

For families comparing options: in Bucharest, there are several schools that offer parts of the IB (only PYP or only DP). Only Genesis College offers the complete pathway, which means that your educational investment is protected from the ages of 3 to 19.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is the high school programme of the International Baccalaureate, designed for students aged 16–19 (Grades XI–XII), and is considered the most rigorous pre-university programme available, positioned above A-Levels (UK) and Advanced Placement (USA) in the perception of elite universities.

Genesis College obtained accreditation for the DP in March 2022, becoming one of the few Romanian schools able to offer this international diploma.

What does this mean in practice for your child? Graduating with the IB Diploma opens the doors to the world’s top 50 universities without additional admission exams. Universities in the UK, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA award academic credits and even semester exemptions for high HL scores, which can reduce the duration (and cost) of university studies by a semester or even a year.

For parents planning studies abroad: the IB Diploma from Genesis is recognised identically to one obtained at an IB school in London, Zurich or Singapore – international accreditation guarantees equivalence.

Yes, the IB Diploma is recognised and actively sought by elite universities around the world. The list includes all eight Ivy League universities (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, Cornell), Russell Group universities in the UK (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College, UCL, Edinburgh, King’s College London), ETH Zürich, Sciences Po Paris, the University of Toronto, the University of Melbourne, NUS Singapore and hundreds of others.

In Romania, the IB Diploma is officially recognised as equivalent to the national Baccalaureate through a ministerial order, allowing enrolment at any Romanian university.

In practice, a Genesis College graduate with an IB Diploma holds two keys: one for Romanian universities (through equivalence with the Baccalaureate) and one for the world’s best universities (through the IB Diploma).

The differences are fundamental and have a direct impact on the child’s academic future. The national high school focuses on acquiring knowledge in strictly defined subjects, with assessment predominantly through written exams – a model designed in the 20th century.

The IB Diploma Programme, on the other hand, prepares students for the realities of the 21st century: independent research (Extended Essay – a 4,000-word paper supervised by a mentor, equivalent to a mini university dissertation), epistemological reflection (Theory of Knowledge – where students learn to critically evaluate sources of knowledge, including fake news and cognitive bias), and genuine community involvement (CAS – Creativity, Activity, Service, with a minimum of 150 documented hours).

The IB programme is not intended only for “Olympiad students”, but for motivated, curious students willing to learn in depth. It is ideal for young people with genuine intellectual curiosity who want to understand, not simply memorise, and who are motivated by real and relevant challenges.

At Genesis College, the profile of IB students is diverse: we have future doctors who value scientific rigour, future entrepreneurs who make use of the Service as Action component and real projects, future artists who find in IB the creative space that traditional high school does not offer, and young people who simply want access to the best universities in the world.

Exceptional academic performance is not required at the beginning of the programme. IB looks for curiosity, perseverance and openness. If your child asks questions, reads out of passion, wants to understand how the world works and is not satisfied with superficial answers, IB is the environment in which they will flourish.

For undecided families: our counselling team offers free personalised suitability assessment sessions, where we analyse the child’s profile together and recommend the optimal pathway. Contact us at admissions@genesis.ro to schedule an appointment.

The IB Diploma Programme has a rigorous and balanced structure, unique in the Romanian educational landscape, built around six subject groups and three core components which, together, form the well-rounded graduate that top universities are looking for:

▸ Six subject groups – Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, the Arts. At Genesis College, students choose one subject from each group, at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), with guidance from our counsellors, who know the specific requirements of each student’s target universities.

▸ Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – a unique epistemology course that teaches students to reflect critically on the nature of knowledge, distinguish between opinion and evidence, and evaluate sources of information – an essential skill in the age of digital misinformation.

▸ Extended Essay (EE) – an independent research paper of approximately 4,000 words, supervised by a dedicated Genesis mentor, which provides students with their first real experience of academic writing. Universities in the UK and USA consider the EE one of the strongest differentiating elements in an admissions application.

▸ CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) – a structured programme of active involvement in creative, physical and volunteering activities, with a minimum of 150 documented hours. At Genesis, students collaborate with community partners, building a portfolio of social impact that impresses university admissions committees.

This structure guarantees that Genesis College graduates with an IB Diploma are not only academically well prepared, but also balanced, responsible and ready for the challenges of university from day one – without the adaptation year that most students experience.

IB is different, not necessarily more difficult in the traditional sense of the word – and this is precisely its strength. The volume of content is comparable to the national high school, but the way of working is fundamentally different: instead of memorisation and reproduction, IB places emphasis on in-depth analysis, evidence-based argumentation, original research and applicability in real-life contexts.

The authentic challenge of IB comes from simultaneous complexity – students manage six subjects, the Extended Essay, TOK and CAS in parallel, just as they will later manage university courses, team projects and professional deadlines.

At Genesis College, no student is left alone in the face of this complexity. Our support system includes: a dedicated academic mentor for each DP student, weekly planning and time-management sessions, personalised university counselling starting in Grade X, and IB teachers with international experience who know exactly how to manage the level of challenge without causing exhaustion.

For parents who fear that “it is too much”: our data show that Genesis students successfully manage both pathways (national + IB), and graduates confirm that this experience is precisely what made them feel prepared for university.

The IB Diploma Programme is explicitly designed as a pre-university programme and develops exactly the skills that top universities require – they do not simply “expect” them, but actively assess them in the admissions process.

At Genesis College, university preparation begins in Grade X, with personalised counselling for choosing universities, writing personal statements and preparing for interviews.

The specific skills developed include:

▸ Independent research – the Extended Essay provides real experience of academic writing while still in high school, with research methodology, correct referencing and structured argumentation, cultivating a strong methodological approach, proper citation practices and structured argumentation – fundamental skills required in the university environment from the beginning of the academic journey.

▸ Advanced critical thinking – Theory of Knowledge develops the ability to evaluate, question and compare sources of knowledge, a skill that UK universities explicitly test during admission interviews.

▸ Time management and autonomy – managing six subjects, the EE, TOK and CAS simultaneously develops self-organisation skills, which IBO studies directly correlate with university completion rates 22% above average.

▸ Communication skills are developed through formally assessed oral presentations, argumentative essays supported by detailed criterion-based feedback and structured debates – essential skills that distinguish a competent student from one who excels in the university environment.

▸ International perspective – Developing an international perspective allows students to approach reality from a global perspective, navigate cultural diversity and collaborate across cultures – essential skills for international university environments and a globalised economy.

Studies conducted by the International Baccalaureate Organization and independent research by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (UK) show that IB graduates adapt more quickly to the university environment, benefit from admission rates to top universities up to 18% higher and have study completion rates approximately 22% above average.

At Genesis College, the university counselling team guides each Diploma Programme student throughout the application process – from university selection to writing admission essays and preparing for interviews. The result: Genesis graduates accepted to universities in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Canada and Romania.

The International Baccalaureate Organization offers four educational programmes designed to develop curious, balanced students prepared for a globalised environment. Together, these programmes create a coherent educational pathway, from the early years of school through university and career preparation.

Genesis College is one of the few schools in Romania offering the PYP and MYP in Romanian and English, providing educational continuity through the end of Grade X and subsequent integration into a Diploma Programme (DP) taught in English.

This transition is not accidental, but strategically designed: students benefit from an extended number of English lessons in PYP and MYP, allowing them to progressively develop academic fluency, subject-specific vocabulary and confidence in using English in academic contexts.

The result is a complete IB Continuum, in which students move naturally from bilingual learning to international academic rigour, without breaks or adaptation difficulties.

▸ PYP (Primary Years Programme) – 3–12 years

PYP lays the foundations for learning through a student-centred approach, in which natural curiosity is harnessed through inquiry-based learning. Students do not simply accumulate information, but learn to ask questions, explore concepts and construct meaning.

The programme develops:

• autonomy in learning
• communication and collaboration skills
• social-emotional intelligence
• early conceptual thinking

At Genesis, PYP covers kindergarten (the Străulești campus) and primary school, in a Romanian-English bilingual environment from the age of 3. The high number of English lessons allows students to naturally acquire strong language skills, which later become the foundation for academic learning in MYP and DP.

▸ MYP (Middle Years Programme) – 11–16 years

MYP marks the transition from exploration to academic rigour. Students learn to make connections between subjects, think critically and apply knowledge in real-life contexts.

The focus is on:

• critical thinking and structured analysis
• authentic interdisciplinary connections
• globally contextualised learning
• active community involvement through Service as Action

At Genesis, MYP covers Middle School and Grades IX–X, providing a rigorous and relevant academic framework. Students continue to study English intensively, progressively developing the ability to work with concepts, texts and academic tasks in English.

The culmination of the programme is the Personal Project – an independent research project in which students choose their topic, apply research methodology and reflect on their own learning process. This experience develops intellectual autonomy and directly prepares students for the academic requirements of the DP, including the Extended Essay.

▸ DP (Diploma Programme) – 16–19 years

The DP is globally recognised as one of the most rigorous and balanced pre-university programmes. Taught in English, the programme builds on the skills developed previously and takes them to an advanced academic level.

Students study a complex curriculum complemented by three core components:

• Extended Essay (EE) – independent academic research
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – critical reflection on the nature of knowledge
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – personal development and genuine involvement

The programme develops:

• advanced academic writing
• argumentation and critical thinking
• time and workload management
• autonomy and intellectual responsibility

Assessment is external and internationally standardised, carried out by IB examiners from around the world, which guarantees objectivity and global recognition.

At Genesis, the DP covers Grades XI–XII and is supported by a strong personalised university counselling system. Students are guided step by step through the application process – from university selection to essay writing and interview preparation – including platforms such as UCAS and Common App, as well as European systems.

Completing a full IB Continuum involves more than acquiring knowledge; it involves developing essential skills such as:

• consistency in skills development
• real progress from curiosity to academic rigour
• developing independent and flexible thinking
• authentic preparation for university and a globalised world

At Genesis College, this pathway is intentionally designed so that each stage supports the next. Students do not enter the DP simply prepared, but already developed as independent learners, effective communicators and critical thinkers.

On the educational market in Bucharest and Romania, there are several international curricula: IB, Cambridge (IGCSE / A-Level), the American programme (AP) and the French programme. Each has its merits, but IB stands out through concrete advantages:

▸ Holistic approach – Unlike A-Levels (which assess only 3–4 subjects) or AP (individual subject examinations), IB assesses knowledge, attitudes, interdisciplinary skills and community involvement – exactly the mix that top universities look for in an admissions application.

▸ IB Learner Profile – a systematic framework of 10 attributes that guides the entire educational experience. No other curriculum explicitly codifies and assesses these interpersonal skills that global employers consistently rank among the most sought-after competencies.

▸ Required balance – DP students study six diverse subject groups, avoiding the early specialisation characteristic of A-Levels.

▸ Unique components with no equivalent – Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS do not exist in Cambridge, AP or the French programme. These are the elements that transform a good student into an exceptional university candidate, and Genesis College implements them with teachers trained and certified directly by the IBO, including examiners.

IB programmes naturally develop an entrepreneurial mindset – and at Genesis College, this development is amplified through strategic partnerships and real business experiences.

The skills developed include:

▸ Calculated risk-taking – students learn to test their ideas through the Extended Essay, MYP personal projects and CAS initiatives, developing the tolerance for constructive failure that every successful entrepreneur considers essential.

▸ Applied creativity – the “Creativity” component of CAS and interdisciplinary projects stimulate practical, rather than merely theoretical, innovation. Genesis students have created podcasts, mobile applications and real social campaigns as part of CAS.

▸ Leadership and collaboration – teamwork on complex projects, with real deadlines and presentations before an audience, develops management, delegation and persuasive communication skills – exactly the competencies sought by leading companies.

▸ Complex problem-solving – the IB approach trains the ability to analyse ambiguous situations, identify hidden variables and propose structured solutions – a skill that the World Economic Forum consistently places among the top three skills of the future.

▸ Global mindset – understanding markets, cultures and international contexts is intrinsic to the IB programme, preparing students for careers without borders, whether they choose to work in Romania, Europe or on other continents.

At Genesis College, these skills are further developed through entrepreneurship clubs (where students develop real business plans), partnerships with business institutions (BISM – Bucharest International School of Management), company visits as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week and the mentoring programme with entrepreneurs from the Genesis community.

For entrepreneurial parents: if you want your son or daughter to develop the same value-creation mindset that you have, IB at Genesis College is the ideal environment.

IB is a demanding but not exclusive programme, and this is an important distinction. It works best for students with intellectual curiosity, a willingness to work and an interest in active learning.

They do not need to be “straight-A students”; IB values effort, progress and attitude, not just raw performance. At Genesis College, the counselling team assesses together with the family whether the IB Diploma pathway is suitable for each student, considering not only academic results but also the child’s maturity, motivation and interests.

There is also the option of following only the national pathway, with the specialisations offered by Genesis College High School (Social Sciences or Mathematics-Informatics, with intensive Mathematics) – both benefiting from the same top infrastructure, the same dedicated teachers and the same Genesis educational environment.

Importantly, regardless of the pathway, all Genesis students benefit from university counselling, enrichment programmes and the Genesis community – the difference lies only in the curricular structure, not in the quality of the experience.

To find out which pathway is suitable for your child, schedule a free counselling session at admissions@genesis.ro or +4 0724 388 787.

At Genesis College, the IB programme is delivered bilingually, in Romanian and English – a fundamental strategic difference compared to international schools in Bucharest that teach exclusively in English.

Students learn in Romanian during the formative years (PYP and MYP), while also benefiting from an extended number of English lessons, and in the Diploma Programme (DP), studies are conducted entirely in English, ensuring a natural transition to the international academic environment.

In practical terms, your child does not lose contact with the Romanian language, literature and culture – essential for identity and for the National Evaluation or Baccalaureate – while simultaneously developing advanced academic skills in English: the ability to write argumentative essays, deliver presentations and work with complex academic texts.

Our native English-speaking teachers, together with Cambridge Assessment English certifications (from YLE to CAE), which can be obtained directly on the Genesis campus, complete this bilingual profile.

For Romanian families who want an international education without sacrificing cultural identity, Genesis offers an authentic balance between the two. For expat families with children who speak Romanian, the bilingual programme provides not only academic but also cultural integration.

And for those planning to study abroad, Genesis graduates frequently reach C1–C2 levels in English, sufficient for direct admission to universities where English is the language of instruction, without the need for additional language courses.

If you have additional questions or would like to discover the Genesis College campus, we invite you to take the next step:

▸ Schedule a campus visit – contact us at admissions@genesis.ro or +4 0724 388 787.

▸ Explore the website at genesis.ro for details about each educational level, fees and the admissions process.

▸ Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube) for news and events.

▸ Attend the “Open UP!” events for parents – the ideal opportunity to meet the teachers and the Genesis community.