What is the IB Learner Profile?

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Wednesday, 19 Feb, 2025

The IB learner profile: Shaping the whole person at MMC

At MMC, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile is more than a set of attributes — it’s a roadmap for personal growth, global citizenship, and academic excellence. Rooted deeply in the IB philosophy, the Learner Profile is the starting point for all subjects, the IB Core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS (creativity, activity and service)), and the way our teachers and students approach their teaching and learning journey.

Aligned beautifully with the Montessori philosophy, the IB Learner Profile also reinforces what we believe: that students thrive when they are placed at the centre of their own learning. This shared philosophy across both pedagogies creates powerful opportunities for each student to grow not only academically, but also as a thoughtful, ethical, and engaged human being.

Learn more about the IB Learner Profile below:

What is the IB learner profile?

The IB Learner Profile comprises 10 key attributes that together define what it means to be a life-long learner. These include:

Inquirers – with natural curiosity, nurtured through independent learning
Knowledgeable – exploring ideas of local and global significance
Thinkers – applying critical and creative thinking to solve complex problems
Communicators – expressing ideas confidently and in more than one language
Principled – acting with integrity, honesty and a strong sense of fairness
Open-minded – understanding and appreciating different perspectives
Caring – showing empathy, compassion, and respect
Risk-takers – approaching uncertainty with courage and resilience
Balanced – understanding the importance of intellectual, emotional and physical wellbeing
Reflective – thoughtfully considering the world and their own ideas and experiences

How we introduce the Learner Profile at MMC

At the start of the first year of the Diploma Programme, our IB students are introduced to the Learner Profile as a guiding framework. It becomes the lens through which they evaluate their learning experiences, relationships, and choices — both inside and outside the classroom.

From exploring ethical dilemmas in Theory of Knowledge, to planning service projects in CAS, to challenging their thinking through independent research in the Extended Essay, our students are invited to embody these attributes every step of the way.

The result? Young people who are not only academically prepared for life beyond school — but also globally aware, adaptable, and driven by a strong sense of purpose.

A shared vision: Montessori meets the IB

It is no coincidence that Montessori and IB learners share many of the same qualities. Both frameworks champion student agency, independent inquiry, and personal responsibility. By uniting Montessori foundations with the rigour and breadth of the IB Diploma Programme, Melbourne Montessori College offers students an education that is truly holistic and internationally relevant.