International Baccalaureate
Diploma Program
What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma?
•A pre-university diploma and international admissions credential
•Utilizes international standards
•Based on an integrated curriculum
•Infused with international mindedness
International Baccalaureate
Diploma Program
*The IB Diploma Program is designed for highlymotivated high school students with time
management skills aged 16-19.
*9th and 10th grade students take prerequisites to
prepare them for the IB/DP program which begins
in their 11th grade year.
*Students fulfill the requirements of the state’s
educational guidelines due to the rigor of the IB
program.
Why do IB?
The IB Program:
 Sets expectations-for students, parents, school
 Requires reading for analysis, interpretation
 Requires analytic writing-lots of writing
(including science labs and math projects)
 Prepares students to carry strong academic load;
specifically develops real time management skills
 Allows(requires) students to see interconnections among
subjects
 Solves colleges’ biggest problem……………
Colleges’ Biggest Problem
• Unprepared students
Of all students who begin college each year:
50% of Caucasian students do not complete a
bachelor’s degree
65% of Hispanic students do not complete a
bachelor’s degree
73% of African Americans do not complete a
bachelor’s degree
From College Board Research/utulsa.edu
IB Hexagon
Group 1:
Language A1
Group 2:
Modern Foreign Languages
Classical Languages
Group 3:
Individuals
And Societies
Extended Essay
Theory of Knowledge
Creativity, Action
Service
Group 4:
Experimental
Sciences
Group 5:
Mathematics and
Computer Science
Group 6: Arts
International Baccalaureate
Diploma Requirements
• Take three higher level (HL) and three standard level (SL)
•
courses
One course from groups 1-5, and a 6th subject
– Higher level
• 240 hours
• Exams taken in senior year
– Standard level
• 150 hours
• Exams taken in junior or senior year
– Complete central elements (Extended Essay, CAS, Theory of
Knowledge)
SHHS Course Offerings
• English A1
Higher Level
• Spanish B
Standard Level
• History of the Americas
Higher Level
• Psychology
Standard Level
• Biology
Higher Level
• Math
• Visual Arts
Standard Level
Standard Level
IB English
• In-depth discussion on literary criticism,
which gives students “lenses” to view
literature.
• More time to discuss multiple aspects of
each literary work, such as author’s style,
the artist’s role in society and cultural
perspectives.
IB History sequence
• Recommended Pre-requisites: Modern
History, AP World History or Euro 1 & 2
• 11th and 12th grade: History of Americas
• Partnered with IB English during same
period; either 45 min/day or 90 min
alternating days.
IB History
• Studies History of Western Hemisphere
including Latin American History with
particular attention to Mexican history.
• Requires the students to develop an
original historical essay on selected topic.
• Extensive reading of texts and research
for class projects.
IB Math sequence
• Pre-requisites: Algebra 1, Geometry,
Algebra 2
• 11th grade: Statistics - Fall;
Adv. Algebra/Trigonometry - Spring
(possibility of a 1 day/week after school 2
hr. seminar)
• 12th grade: IB/AP AB Calculus (all year)
IB Math
• A rigorous challenging mathematics
curriculum that engages critical thinking
skills and creative thought.
• Teaches the student to recognize
patterns, make generalizations and
communicate mathematics clearly to
others. Students become experts in a
wide variety of mathematical disciplines.
IB Biology
• In depth study and analysis of a relevant science
•
•
topic chosen by the students, evaluated in a
variety of ways, including community forum.
Scientific labs require students to do all planning
procedures.
Unique in depth studies of biological subjects
such as human physiology and neurobiology and
behavior with latitude to change options as
needed to improve program.
IB Spanish
• Offers the students the opportunity to
express what they have learned in other
subject areas in another language.
• Students study world literature written by
Spanish speaking authors.
• Students speak in target language
exclusively and learn to speak in the
target language by the end of coursework.
IB Spanish sequence
• 9th grade: Spanish 1& 2
• 10th grade: Spanish 3 & 4
• 11th grade : IB Spanish SL 1 & SL 2
• Exam will be in Spring of Junior year
IB Visual Art
• Allows more freedom and the ability to
develop an artistic personality.
• Allows students with artistic abilities to tap
their creative minds and become a selfdriven artist.
• Students are expected to develop their
own projects based on their research of
artists and styles.
IB Diploma Core Requirements
• CAS (Creativity, Action, Service)
– Enhance personal and interpersonal
development through experiential
learning.
– In order to be meaningful, activities
should continue throughout the
program.
– A school staff member is responsible for
working with the student to develop
their plan.
IB CAS Requirements
• Creativity – Arts and other experiences
that involve creative thinking.
• Action – Physical Exertion that
contributes to a healthy lifestyle.
• Service – Unpaid voluntary exchange that
has a learning benefit for the student.
• Should be continued on regular basis for
at least 18 months to receive IB diploma.
IB Theory of Knowledge
• A unique class that connects all of the areas of
•
•
knowledge together to show how knowledge is
interrelated.
Challenges the student to investigate why they
know what they know and how to evaluate that
knowledge in an objective and global society.
Shows how knowledge flows through the four
ways of knowing, and teaches the students to
become good consumers of information.
IB Diploma Core Requirements
The Extended Essay
– 4,000 words (maximum)
– Written on a topic of special interest and
expected to be at the university level of
research
– Topic will come from one of 22 subjects
– Essays are sent off to be scored.
Qualities of IB Diploma Students
•Fluency in two languages
•Self confidence with university text and materials
•Capacity for independent/group research and study
•Cultivated critical and creative thinking abilities with well-developed
communication skills
•Ability to complete a challenging and rigorous course of studies
•Compassionate concern for others
•The IB program connect schools with a unity of purpose, not a uniformity of practice.
O 2003
Research on the impact of
IB programs





IB students outperform their peers on state
assessments.
IB Diploma students have higher acceptance
rates to colleges.
IB Diploma students perform better in postsecondary education than their peers.
IB standards are aligned with best practice in
education and support effective teaching
practices.
IB has a positive impact on the culture of a
school.
Advantages with an
IB Diploma
Preparation for college course work
Priority Admissions to many colleges
Advanced Placement Credit
Opens Doors to Scholarships at Colleges
Builds confidence &pride
Getting Into College
“There is no secret to getting in, deans say.
Stop looking for a gimmick. Tune out the
hype. Study hard. Take the toughest
curriculum that you can. The heart of the
application is-and always has been-one’s
academic preparation.”
• Maura Singleton, UVA Magazine Fall 2006
Education Week Had This To
Say About the IB Program:
“It may be the best kept secret in high school
reform,” said Barmak Nassirian, the associate
executive director of the American Association of
Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, in
Washington. The IB Program , he said, is
generally regarded as “the gold standard of high
school curriculum in admissions circles.”
Education Week, March 29, 2006
Any questions?
Contact Information:
Jack Leonard IB Coordinator
leonardj@jcschools.org
Or
423-232-2190 ext. 2012
Thank you
for attending.