Well done to our graduating IB Students!
More than a fifth of students (22%) scored 39 or higher, placing them among the top tier of IB graduates worldwide.
20 August 2025
This year’s graduating students are off to study a broad range of subjects, from aerospace engineering and computer science to languages, economics and history, at top universities across the UK and beyond.
Scottish destinations include the Universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and St Andrews, while others are heading to Cambridge, King’s College London, UCL, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Heriot-Watt University and Cayuga Community College in New York.
Head of School Nick Little said the IB provided a strong pathway for students to progress to their university of choice.
“I’d like to say a huge well done to all our IB students whose hard work and dedication over the past two years have paid off,” he said.
“Each July, we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our IB cohort with a graduation ceremony, and this year was no exception, as students, staff, and families came together for a special celebration to honour the class of 2025. Scotland’s education system is rightly respected, but we’re fortunate to offer the IB, a globally recognised programme that’s gaining popularity among students in Aberdeen and the surrounding area. Its broad and balanced curriculum encourages critical thinking, independence, and global awareness, qualities that are more important than ever. I’m incredibly proud of all our IB students and wish them well as they head into their next chapter.”
Almost half of the class of 2025 are from the UK, with the other 52% from different parts of the globe, including Brazil, Canada, Poland, Ecuador, Russia, Norway, Malaysia, Germany, New Zealand, Bolivia, Netherlands, India, Ukraine and China.
Among this year’s graduating students was Oleksii Sandul, who joined ISA in 2022 after fleeing Kyiv, Ukraine, at the age of 15 when the war began. Now, just three years later, he completed the IB with a score of 38 and has gone on to study Business and Economics at the University of Edinburgh. He credits ISA’s welcoming community and dedicated teachers with helping him adapt quickly, learn English and succeed both academically and personally.
“ISA is such a great school. The teachers are very supportive, and there’s an encouraging environment. I’m grateful to them for everything they’ve done, including finding various sources, methods, and techniques to support my learning. The IB pushes you to succeed and I think that this will make the transition to university easier. Besides taking maths, English, social sciences and sciences, you also take creative subjects and a language, which helps you become well-rounded. You also volunteer in the community as part of the diploma, so you focus not only on schoolwork but also on real-life experiences.”
Marla Carmichael from Aberdeen has been at ISA since kindergarten and is one of many long-term local pupils who have flourished in the IB programme. She scored an impressive 41 out of a possible 45 on her IB qualification, placing her in the top 4% of IB students worldwide.
Now studying Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, Marla said: “ISA is a true community. The relationships, the opportunities and the support are something special. There’s space to be yourself and room to grow. The IB helps you become well-rounded and broadens your perspective, encouraging you to step outside your comfort zone and preparing you for the independence needed at university.”
