design

The IB Diploma Programme educational model is represented with a circular design, emphasising its holistic and integrated nature. The model is built around the learner profile, a set of attributes that schools aim to develop in pupils using student-centered, independent approaches to teaching and learning. All Diploma candidates are expected to fulfill three core and interlinked requirements: to follow classes on Theory of Knowledge, to complete a research paper known as the Extended Essay and to demonstrate engagement with Creativity-Action-Service. Moving outwards the model shows six areas of knowledge: students must choose to study one subject from each one of these areas, three at Higher Level (240 tuition hours) and another three at Standard Level (150 tuition hours). The model is enclosed by international mindedness, a central principle of the IBDP philosophy."

Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six groups. At least three have to be taken at higher level (a minimum of 240 teaching hours) and the others at standard level (min. 150 hours). To obtain an IB diploma a student must also fulfil the three core requirements: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS.

List of subjects offered at Anatolia & Pinewood IBDP

Group 1: Language & Literature

• English A - Literature
• English A - Language & Literature
• Modern Greek A - Literature
• Modern Greek A - Language & Literature

For most Anatolia & Pinewood students it is English or Greek. Other languages may also be offered to students with a different mother tongue. In this case Anatolia & Pinewood appoint and supervise an external instructor who teaches the course on a private basis (charged extra). If no suitable instructor is available, a student may take this subject as a Self-taught candidate.

Group 2: Language Acquisition

• Language Ab Initio (French, Spanish, Mandarin)
• Language B HL (English, French, Spanish)
• Language B SL (English, French, Spanish)

All Diploma candidates have to take a second modern language at a level, which, depending on their previous exposure to that language, may be either at level A as above, if they are highly competent, or B, if they have some previous experience in the language, or ab initio for beginners.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

• Business Management
• Economics
• Global Politics
• History
• Psychology
• Environmental Systems and Societies (SL only)

Group 4: Experimental Sciences

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Environmental Systems and Societies (SL only)
• Physics

Group 5: Mathematics

• Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (SL & HL)
• Mathematics: Applications & Interpretations (SL)
• Mathematics FAQ 

Group 6: Arts and Electives

• Dance HL
• Dance SL
• Film
• Music
• Theatre Arts
• Visual Arts

Core Requirements

• Creativity - Activity - Service
• Theory of Knowledge

As core values, Anatolia and Pinewood aspire to cultivate in our students the intrinsic drive and essential qualities required to evolve into principled and responsible global citizens. Moreover, our shared mission is to nurture them as active, critical thinkers, and open-minded lifelong learners.

Founded in 1886, Anatolia has long been considered one of the most distinguished educational institutions in Greece. Simultaneously, Pinewood, established in 1950, has successfully served the international community in northern Greece for three-quarters of a century. Authorized to offer the IBDP since 1997 and 1999, respectively, each school has extensive experience in IBDP program delivery, expert support for academic and university counseling, and current initiatives to promote student wellbeing. 

Our Shared Vision

At the heart of our collaboration is the shared commitment to fostering an academically challenging international learning environment through one unified IB Diploma Program for students, faculty, and administration spanning Grades 11-12. This represents a milestone in educational innovation, bringing together the rich legacies and diverse strengths of both schools. By combining the resources and expertise into the Anatolia-Pinewood IBDP, we have created a unique academic ecosystem that creates a number of advantages for students.

Distinct Advantages

International Composition: The Anatolia-Pinewood IBDP enriches the student body with a mosaic of cultures and prepares students for success in an interconnected, global world. 

Separate SL and HL Classes

Recognizing the importance of personalized attention, our schedule is built around separate Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) classes in numerous subjects. This approach allows for tailored instruction to address the specific needs of each level.

Expanded Subject Offerings

In our unified program, a broader range of subjects is offered, providing students with additional course options to align with their academic interests. This also includes more secure offerings for traditionally low enrollment courses. 

Small Class Sizes

A maximum of 15 students per class ensures that appropriate teaching and learning strategies can be effectively developed. 

In addition to the advantages of our unified IBDP, we maintain excellence through the educational characteristics for which Anatolia and Pinewood have always been known.

Enduring Excellence

Scholarships

The school’s scholarship program (approx $100,000 for DP students) ensures that worthy Greek and international students, regardless of financial circumstance, may enroll in the Anatolia & Pinewood IBDP, either as day students or in our long-standing boarding school. 

Highly Qualified Faculty

IBDP faculty, Greek and international, have substantial IBDP teaching experience within the program. Through regular participation in IB workshops, each faculty member is dedicated to staying current with educational research. Many faculty members serve as IB external examiners or in various capacities, including some who have earned university awards for outstanding teaching.

Expert University Advising for a diverse range of destinations

Anatolia & Pinewood university advisors guide students to connect the dots between their academic interests and extracurricular profile, finding common ground between each student’s personal purpose and vision. Their methods are strategic, enabling students to independently identify which institutions are a good fit for them academically, personally and financially. The advisors maintain a student-centered advising approach, instilling a confidence in students to make the best decisions for their futures. The school’s placement lists, including the financial aid awarded to Anatolia & Pinewood graduates demonstrates the expertise and success of the advising process.

Exceptional Campus Facilities

Situated on a picturesque 45-acre campus, stunning natural surroundings are enjoyed in all directions. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities designed specifically for the IBDP, a student residence hall, two modern libraries, well-equipped science and computing laboratories, two theatres, communal spaces for dining and socializing, and a multi use gymnasium.

Extracurricular Program

Our extracurricular program allows Anatolia-Pinewood IBDP students to make new friends, become members of the Anatolia-Pinewood community, and discover or develop their talents through an impressive range of activities. 

​The Anatolia-Pinewood IBDP represents a shared vision and commitment to providing a transformative educational experience​ for our students.​ Join us in shaping the next generation of principled, responsible global citizens and lifelong learners. 

Our programs focus on what has been missing in Greek education - vanguard lab research as well as actively exploring major concepts, ideas, and theories that address life’s big questions –and how we are practically addressing these issues.

President; Trustee Ex-Officio; Member of all Committees Ex-Officio

Board Member since 2012
Dr. Panos Vlachos was appointed President of Anatolia College in April 2013. In this capacity, he serves as the lead administrator of Anatolia’s three educational divisions: Anatolia Elementary School, Anatolia High School (including the International Baccalaureate Program), and the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT). Prior to his appointment as President of Anatolia he served in a variety of administrative leadership positions at ACT over the past 15 years. In 2009 he was appointed Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Anatolia and Provost of ACT serving also as the institutional-wide chief of Libraries and Information Technology. Dr. Vlachos has worked as a professor for over 20 years teaching at the graduate and undergraduate level. He has supervised a number of large scale Information Technology projects and his academic research has been published in the Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, the Journal of Applicable Analysis, the Journal of Dynamic Systems and Applications and other academic journals. He holds a BS in Mathematics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1985), an MSc in Mathematics (1987) and a PhD in Applied Sciences from the University of Rhode Island in the US (1990).

Executive Committee; Board Governance Committee – Co-Chair; CTY & Ancillary Activities Committee – Chair; Audit Committee; Finance Committee – Vice Chair; Institutional Advancement Committee

Board Member since 2012
David S. Weil retired from Northrop Grumman Corporation in 2010 following 32 years in senior legal and international business positions including General Counsel for Page Communications Engineers, Inc., Assistant General Counsel for Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Vice-President for Northrop Grumman’s international business development. He was previously in the General Counsel’s Office of Washington DC- based Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT), acting as the Legal Advisor for the eleven nation AEROSAT program located at the European Space Agency headquarters in the Netherlands. He currently serves on the Dean’s Committee at Case Western Reserve Law School and is president of a home owners’ association board in Northern California. Mr. Weil served for ten years on the Board of Trustees of Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts, from which he graduated in 1962. Mr. Weil received a BA in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (1966),a degree in Company Law from University College Law School at the University of London (1969), and a JD from Case Western Reserve Law School (1970).

Institutional Advancement Committee; Long-Range Planning Committee; Wellbeing Committee

Board Member since 2017
Marguerite “Peggy” Trethewey began her career as a district sales manager for Transportation Consultants International in Boston, Massachusetts. After relocating to California, she held a number of managerial positions, including regional sales manager for Transportation Consultants International in San Francisco, director of marketing projects for the Pacific Area Travel Association, and as a business manager in the protocol department of the Olympic Organizing Committee in 1984. Ms. Trethewey has also been actively involved as a board member of many of San Francisco’s most illustrious institutions, including the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco Fine Arts Museums, and San Francisco City College up until 2013. In addition, Ms. Trethewey has also served as the Board Director of Carson Products, Inc., in Savannah, Georgia, and is currently involved with the United States Navy SEALS Evening of Tribute. Ms. Trethewey graduated from Sweet Briar College and completed the Wharton Business School’s Executive Finance Course.

Executive Committee; Board Governance Committee – Co-Chair; Elementary School Oversight Committee; High School Oversight Committee – Vice Chair; International School Oversight Committee

Board Member since 2010
Irina Taka (‘95) is Vice-President/Head of Development at EVYP LLP (Greek Industry of Hydrolized Protein), her family’s business, which is active in the research and development of products exclusively of plant origin for use in organic and traditional agriculture. Previously Ms. Taka served as general counsel for Capital Maritime & Trading Corp, and Nasdaq listed Capital Product Partners L.P. She began her career at the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization in Paris, before continuing as a corporate law associate for Sullivan & Cromwell in New York and London. Ms. Taka is a member of the New York Bar and a Solicitor of England & Wales. She also serves on the Board of the Stanford Alumni Association of Greece, is a founding member of the not for profit “Desmos” and a member of various entrepreneurial and business organizations. Ms. Taka received a BA in International Relations and Art History from Stanford (1999) and a JD from the New York University School of Law (2003).

Executive Committee; ACT Oversight Committee; Long-Range Planning Committee – Chair; Facilities Committee

Board Member since 2010
Charis Plakantonaki (’97) is the Chief Strategy Officer at Star Bulk Carriers Corp., the largest dry bulk shipping company listed today on the NASDAQ. Previously she worked for seven years at Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc., a leading global operator of oceangoing vessels, first as Strategic Projects Manager and subsequently as Head of Corporate Communications. Prior to Thenamaris, she was a Senior Consultant at the Boston Consulting Group, and before that she has worked at the multinational FMCG company DIAGEO and at the Organizing Committee of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic & Paralympic Games. She holds an MBA from INSEAD (2003) and a BS in International & European Economics & Politics from the University of Macedonia (2001), where she graduated as valedictorian. Since 2001, Charis is a Board member of her family’s business which is active in real estate development and solar energy investments in Greece.

Elementary School Oversight; International School Oversight Committee

Board Member since 2003
Angelos Papaioannou (‘69) has been involved in the agricultural machinery business in Greece, working at G. Papaioannou, S.A. and as CEO of Anchialos, S.A. for the last thirty-five years. Mr. Papaioannou served as president of the Anatolia College Alumni Association (2001-2007) and as Treasurer (1996-1999). Mr. Papaioannou received a BA from the American College of Switzerland (1972) and an MBA from USIU in San Diego (1974).