Unlocking success with ManageBac: An IB parent’s guide to navigating the IB maze
Written by Anzhelika Tauber
If you’ve ever felt lost trying to keep up with your child’s IB journey, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about ManageBac, how to use it effectively, and how it can help you support your child’s academic success—without feeling like a full-time detective.
Here’s what you’ll gain from reading this article:
✅ A clear understanding of ManageBac and how it works.
✅ Step-by-step instructions on how to track grades, deadlines, and assignments.
✅ Pro tips on how to stay involved without micromanaging.
By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident navigating ManageBac (or any other LMS your school uses) and empowered to support your child’s IB success—without relying on one-word answers or waiting for a school email that may never come.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
Table of Contents
- Introduction: What is IB ManageBac?
- How ManageBac Helps with the Chaos of IB
- Key Features of IB ManageBac
- Track Assignments and Deadlines
- Real-Time Grade Updates
- Communication with Teachers
- Hidden Features You Should Know About
- Messaging Teachers
- Attendance Tracking
- Managing IB Projects (CAS, EE, TOK)
- How to Use IB ManageBac: A Quick Guide for Parents
- Conclusion: Why ManageBac is a Lifesaver for Parents
- FAQs
Ah, the good old days—when students had academic diaries where every homework, exam date, and grade was meticulously written down (in mostly illegible handwriting). If you were lucky, the diary would actually make it home. If you were less lucky, it would be “accidentally” left in a locker, mysteriously disappear under a pile of clothes, or—if your child had a particularly creative excuse—be “eaten by the dog.”
Fast forward to today, and things have changed. No more paper planners, no more handwritten notes from teachers. Instead, schools now use Learning Management Systems (LMS)—digital platforms that centralise everything about a student’s academic life. Sounds like an improvement, right? Except there’s just one problem: parents often feel completely out of the loop.
If you’re a parent of an IB student, you probably know the struggle:
📌 Your teenager doesn’t tell you anything. Ask how school is going, and you get a one-word answer: “Fine.”
📌 You’re not exactly a tech whiz. The school mentions an online system, but no one gives a proper tutorial on how to use it.
📌 School communication is… let’s just say, not the best. Important updates come through vague emails or require logging into yet another system you didn’t even know existed.
📌 You want to stay involved—but you don’t know how. You’re trying to support your child without nagging them to death, but how do you monitor their progress without feeling like an undercover spy?
Here’s how to track your child’s progress online
To solve these communication gaps, most IB schools use an LMS—an online platform where students, teachers, and (sometimes) parents can track assignments, grades, and deadlines in real time. The most widely used LMS for IB schools is ManageBac, adopted by over 4,000 schools worldwide.
But it’s not the only one. Other IB-friendly LMS options include:
✅ Toddle – Focuses on collaboration and interactive learning.
✅ Google Classroom – A simple, widely used tool that works across different school systems.
✅ Canvas – A flexible LMS used in various education levels, including IB schools.
✅ Kognity – Offers AI-powered learning tailored for IB students.
✅ Moodle – A customisable, open-source platform that many schools use.
While each of these platforms has its pros and cons, they all follow the same basic principle: they help students stay organised and provide parents with more transparency (at least, in theory). The key difference? Some platforms, like ManageBac, are specifically designed for IB schools, making them the preferred choice for thousands of institutions.
How IB ManageBac actually helps (and why it’s a lifesaver for parents)
So, you’ve heard that ManageBac is supposed to help students stay organised. Maybe the school gave you a vague explanation about it, or maybe your child muttered something about it between bites of dinner (if they even acknowledge your existence at the dinner table). But let’s be honest—you still have no idea what this thing actually does or how it helps you as a parent.
Good news: ManageBac is more than just another school portal you’ll forget the password to. It’s designed to make life easier for both students and parents—if you know how to use it.
The chaos of IB (and how ManageBac helps)
The IB programme is intense—assignments, internal assessments, group projects, CAS reflections, Extended Essays, and exams all happening at once. As a parent, you want to help, but between keeping up with your own life and figuring out what “TOK” actually stands for, it’s overwhelming.
This is where ManageBac comes in. Think of it as your personal assistant for tracking your child’s academic journey—minus the need to bribe them for information. Instead of guessing what’s due and when, you get a clear, organised overview of their academic life.
So, what can you actually do with IB ManageBac?
Here’s where things get good. ManageBac isn’t just a digital grade book—it’s a fully loaded IB student organization tool to help your child stay on track (and help you avoid those last-minute “Mum, I have an assignment due tomorrow” crises).
5 surprising ways IB ManageBac can boost your child’s academic success
📌 1. No More Guesswork—See All Assignments in One Place
Remember when you used to ask your child what homework they had, and they’d shrug and say, “I dunno.” Now you don’t have to rely on their memory (or lack thereof). ManageBac shows you every single task, deadline, and project—so you can see exactly what they should be working on.
📌 2. Real-Time Grade Tracking—No More Report Card Surprises
Back in the day, you found out how your child was doing when the report card magically appeared at the end of the semester (or when you found it stuffed in their backpack weeks later). Now, you get live updates on grades as soon as teachers enter them.
This means:
✅ No waiting months to realise they’re struggling.
✅ No awkward “So… what happened in maths?” conversations.
✅ You can spot problems early and help before it’s too late.
📌 3. IB Curriculum Made (Slightly) Less Confusing
The IB has its own secret language—TOK, CAS, EE, IA… It sounds more like military code than a school programme. ManageBac deciphers this chaos by showing exactly what each subject requires, what’s been completed, and what still needs work.
Think of it like an IB roadmap—without the need for a PhD in deciphering school jargon.
📌 4. Communication With Teachers (Without Playing Email Tag)
Ever tried emailing a teacher about an assignment and waited days for a response? ManageBac has built-in messaging, so you can communicate with teachers directly through the platform. No more “Did you talk to your teacher?” followed by a blank stare.
📌 5. Time Management Tools (a.k.a. The Anti-Procrastination Solution)
IB students are master procrastinators. (“It’s not due tomorrow, so I don’t need to start today”—sound familiar?). ManageBac helps by breaking down big assignments into manageable chunks and setting up reminders so nothing sneaks up last minute.
It’s like a personal project manager—except your child can’t ignore it like they do you 😉.
How to use IB ManageBac: A step-by-step guide for parents and students
- Log in: Visit the ManageBac login page and enter the login details provided by your school.
- Navigate the dashboard: Familiarise yourself with the main sections such as “Academics”, “Calendar” and “Messages”.
- Track assignments: Click on Tasks & Deadlines to view upcoming assignments, deadlines and submission status.
- Check grades: Go to the Grades tab to see real-time updates on academic performance.
- Communicate with teachers: Use the Messages feature to send and receive updates from teachers.
- Monitor attendance: Review attendance records in the Attendance section to track consistency.
- Customise your view: Customise the dashboard settings to highlight the most relevant information.
- Use the mobile app: Download the ManageBac app for easy access on the go.
Discover the hidden features of IB ManageBac that you’re not using yet!
So, you’ve figured out the basics of ManageBac. You can see assignments, track grades, and maybe even decode some of the IB jargon. Great! But here’s the thing—ManageBac is way more powerful than most parents realise. It’s not just a digital grade book; it’s a full-fledged command center for supporting your child’s academic journey.
And guess what? Most parents (and even students) aren’t using it to its full potential.
If you’re only logging in now and then to check grades, you’re missing out on some seriously helpful tools—tools that can make communication smoother, keep your child organised, and even reduce the stress of IB deadlines (yes, really!).
Let’s dive into some of the best ManageBac features you might not even know exist.
1. The Communication Lifeline: Messaging Teachers Directly
Ever tried to get in touch with a teacher and felt like you were sending messages into the void? ManageBac has a built-in messaging system that lets you (and your child) communicate directly with teachers.
✅ No more lost emails.
✅ No more waiting for parent-teacher meetings to ask questions.
✅ No more “I don’t know what the teacher wants” excuses.
How to use it: Go to the Messages section, find the teacher, and send a message. Need clarification on an assignment? Want to check in on your child’s progress? It’s all there—fast, direct, and with everything in one place.
(Pro tip: Encourage your child to use it too! It helps them develop independence and take ownership of their learning.)
2. A Parent’s Secret Weapon: Upcoming Deadlines Overview
If you’ve ever asked, “Do you have any tests coming up?” and received a blank stare, you need this feature.
The “Tasks & Deadlines” section shows you exactly what’s due, when, and for which subject—so you’re no longer relying on your child’s (sometimes selective) memory.
Why this is a game-changer:
📌 No more last-minute panic.
📌 Helps students prioritise and plan ahead.
📌 You can support them without micromanaging.
How to use it: Head to the Calendar or Tasks & Deadlines section, and you’ll see everything laid out. If your child is drowning in deadlines, you’ll know before it’s too late.
3. IB Projects & Reflections: CAS, EE, and ToK in One Place
The IB loves big projects—CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), the Extended Essay (EE), and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) are core parts of the programme. But keeping track of them? That’s another story.
ManageBac has a dedicated section for these projects, where students can:
✅ Log CAS activities and reflections (so they don’t forget what they did six months ago).
✅ Track progress on their Extended Essay and submit drafts.
✅ Keep ToK reflections in one place.
For parents, this means:
🎯 You can check if they’re on track.
🎯 You can remind them to update CAS logs before the last-minute rush.
🎯 You know what’s happening without hovering.
(Fun fact: Many students don’t realise ManageBac has these features, so you might actually know more than they do after reading this!)
📌 4. Attendance Tracking: Is Your Child Actually in Class?
ManageBac lets parents see attendance records in real time. If you’re wondering whether your child is actually making it to their 8 AM maths class—or if they’re “accidentally” late every day—you can check attendance logs instantly.
This helps you:
📌 Spot patterns of frequent absences or tardiness.
📌 Address issues before they become serious.
📌 Have informed discussions with teachers if needed.
It’s a small but powerful feature—and one that parents often overlook!
📌 5. Grade Reports & Performance Trends: More Than Just a Score
Yes, you can see grades in ManageBac, but did you know you can also track trends over time?
Instead of just seeing individual assignment scores, ManageBac provides full academic reports, teacher feedback, and performance analysis—giving you a clear picture of progress over time.
Why this matters:
🎯 You can identify patterns. Are they improving? Struggling in certain subjects?
🎯 You get teacher comments. This tells you why a grade is what it is—not just the number itself.
🎯 You can step in early. If there’s a drop in performance, you can address it before final exams roll around.
📌 6. Custom Dashboards: Personalise What You See
Tired of scrolling through endless tabs to find what you need? ManageBac lets you customise your dashboard so you can see exactly what’s important to you at a glance.
You can:
✅ Prioritise upcoming deadlines.
✅ Highlight grade reports.
✅ Set up notifications for new assignments.
(Pro tip: If your child uses ManageBac, show them how to customise their view too—it’ll save them (and you) a lot of stress!)
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Takeaway: IB ManageBac is More Than a Digital Report Card
Most parents only scratch the surface of what ManageBac can do. But when you fully unlock its features, it becomes a powerful tool for keeping track of your child’s IB journey—without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
If you:
✅ Struggle to get information from your teenager…
✅ Want better communication with teachers…
✅ Need a clearer view of assignments, deadlines, and progress…
Then it’s time to start using these hidden features.
Your child might not thank you for it (yet), but when they’re meeting deadlines, managing their workload, and actually staying on top of IB life, they’ll definitely appreciate the support.
What is ManageBac?
ManageBac is an International Baccalaureate LMS designed to help IB students and parents track academic progress, manage assignments and communicate effectively with teachers.
How does ManageBac work?
It centralises academic planning, grade tracking, project management and communication into one intuitive platform, making it easier for students and parents to stay organised.
Is ManageBac only for IB?
Primarily designed for IB programmes, some non-IB schools also use it for curriculum management due to its robust features.
Does the IB use ManageBac?
While the IB organisation doesn’t mandate ManageBac, thousands of IB schools worldwide rely on it to manage their programmes effectively.
Anzhelika Tauber
Anzhelika is a PhD candidate in Genetics and a marketing consultant at U4Success from Vienna, Austria. She leads our website and social media content strategy.