IB schools

I heard from one of my ex schoolmates that he is now studying in ACS international, in this International Baccalaurate (IB) course. He started school some time ago alr, like just after CNY. He still made his JAE application and got into his 1st choice course in NP. but of course he remained in acsi.

He told me that IB students graduate with a diploma after just 2 years. Thats so cool la. Like JC vs MI. Seems like that would need real good qualifications, but no. His score was 14, 19. Worse than me.

Maybe its very expensive. Surely that factor would not be enough to deter that many ppl to go poly instead. There so many rich ppl around who would pay any amount for a good education for their children. And besides, poly is expensive too. $2000+ a semester. ouch.

Cant be that its so stressful that many cant take it. Im sure those elite 6-pointer students could thrive in that environment. (and a 19-pointer can tahan also, anyway.)

The strange thing is, if IB is so good - graduate with same cert 33% earlier than poly students and doesnt need much qualification - then why is it that IB schools have close to no publicity? I never even heard of IB schools until he told me. It ought to be much more popular, perhaps even more popular than poly. There must be a catch somewhere.

Can someone who knows about and understands this IB thing enlighten me?