Welcome to I.B.
Information for Grade 9
Parents and Students
IB Mission Statement

The International
Baccalaureate aims to
develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and
caring young people
who help to create a
better and more
peaceful world through
intercultural
understanding and
respect.
Who should choose IB…?
Students excited about learning!!
► Partial
IB (referred to as “IB courses”) students
choose courses for interest or career aspirations &
should pick classes in which they are strong.
► Full diploma IB students should be efficient,
motivated students who are not challenged enough
in the regular program. They should not be “marks
driven” and enjoy looking deeper than required.
They may want to apply overseas for postsecondary. This should NOT be parent-driven.
► Even though teachers seem to appreciate
perfectionism – students with anxiety and
perfectionism tendencies are not a good fit.
Benefits of the IB Programme
► Children’s
neural connections are still being
“pruned” until they are 20 years old.
► A broad – based education will exercise parts of the
brain that would otherwise shrink with disuse.
► If something is hard, you need to work that part of
your brain extra hard before age 20 to maximize its
potential for the rest of your LIFE.
► Universities realize you went “above and beyond”
(but be reasonable)
► Seen as the “classic” liberal arts education
by post-secondary institutions.
Expression of Interest (E of I) Process
Students submit to the CBE area IB school for their primary
residence with an E of I due January 15th . Western can
only accept area IV E of I’s directly.
► Students who are currently in an Area IV CBE school and
do not reside in Western’s regular boundary DO NOT need
a transfer from their designated CBE high school.
► French Immersion IB students apply here – no transfer as
long as you register in IB classes conducted in French.
► If not in Area IV (but attend a CBE school) and you are
requesting Western, you MUST submit your E of I to your
area IB school with a transfer request and a letter
explaining reasons for transfer to their IB Coordinator (also
by January 15th)
► If you attend a non-CBE school (anywhere inside or
outside of Calgary) you may submit directly to Western
►
How do we fill our programme?
► We
are no longer evaluating the
applications and ranking them to fill our
available spots.
► We have a lot of space for IB students but
you will need to make a COMMITMENT to
the programme to enter and stay at our
school
► Transfer students will need to follow
through with their commitments in the
“reason for transfer” (ie. HL Biology
students will need to take HL Biology etc..)
Committing to the IB programme
► Students
who submit an E of I will have
mandatory attendance (student and
guardian) at one of a series of information
sessions to be held in February and early
March (choose from before school, after
school or evening as space allows).
► Sign up available after January 15th.
► Students learn more about the IB
programme (ie. What to expect), make a
commitment, and register for Grade 10.
Math Diagnostic Test
► Students
wishing to take Math IB must write this
test (In May, 4-5pm in Western’s Auxiliary Gym,
date will be verified by January 15th)
► Please bring a calculator, pencil, and ruler.
► Preparing for the test is not required (Pascal Math
Contests may help with critical thinking).
► Recommendations* on course placement are
mailed out (all levels can lead to full IB). This is
not an entrance exam for IB. We mail them in
time to make spring changes to course requests!!
► No other exams will be written
Frequently asked questions…
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
What are conditions for transfer approval?
- IB program reasons only (ie. a series of IB classes)
What if I move into Area IV in the spring? summer?
- acceptance will be based on available space unless you are
already registered in an IB programme elsewhere
Can I apply for F.I. IB, but take S.S. and Math in English?
- Not possible.
Can I apply for English IB and still take FLA IB?
- Yes if you reside in Area IV, but it is not recommended.
What if I am an elite athlete; will I have time for IB?
-It is possible, but obviously more difficult.
What if I already have Math 10? Science 10?
- Math 10 WCpreIB and Science 10 WCpreIB are recommended
What if I decide IB is not for me, right away, as soon as I start?
- We timetable based on spring course selection and cannot
accommodate timetable switches in the fall.
IB Learner Profile
 Three HL subjects are
studied at higher level - 240
hours (20, 30, and 35IB)
 Three SL subjects are
studied at standard level - 150
hours (20 & 30IB)
 All three parts of the coreEE, ToK, and CAS are
compulsory for diploma
candidates and are central to
the philosophy of the Diploma
programme.
IB Model
Performance in all aspects
can be translated into a score
out of 45 points for a diploma.
IB Courses at Western
► Group
1: English Literature HL or SL
► Group 2: Spanish: B or ab initio SL or HL
French: French B SL or HL,
French ab initio (or IB Chinese at T.C.A.*)
► Group 3: History of Europe HL, Philosophy SL or HL
► Group 4: Biology SL/HL, Chemistry HL,
Physics SL/HL
► Group 5: Math SL/HL, or Math Studies SL*
► Group 6: Art if there is interest (Film Studies on-line)
► (HL = higher level SL = standard level)
Other on-line possibilities…www.pamojaeducation.com
IB vs. AP (AP is not offered here)
► IB
is a second diploma with a
learner profile, 3 core
components…
► IB has HL and SL courses
(with regular reviews of
curriculum and schools)
► IB courses have an inquiry
based internal assessment
(25%) and exams (75%)
► IB teachers have mandatory
professional development
► Advanced
placement
is only offered course
by course
► AP courses are
equivalent to HL
► AP grades are based
off of exams only
► AP is likely less
expensive
Full vs. Partial IB
Full IB Diploma
(~$1300 in Grade 11/12)
Must take 6 IB courses
(3-4HL/2-3SL)
► One course in each group (15) plus one extra course
(language, second science,
Philosophy, Art or on-line)
► Must complete EE, ToK, and
CAS over grade 11 and 12
► May qualify for automatic
scholarships, early entrance to
university …
► Advanced credit, apply with IB
grades and/or Alberta grades.
► Bilingual diploma possible
(only with History HL in French)
►
Partial IB
(“IB Courses Student” – costs
vary depending on # of courses)
Complete 2+ IB courses to the
exam level (interest / passion)
► Easiest way to get 3 IB
Sciences
► If these exams are written in
different years, the IB reg. fee
must be paid twice (+$225)
► You may* drop from full IB to
partial IB (only at the end of
semesters / years)
► Advanced credit, apply with IB
grades and Alberta grades…
- fees are only paid in exam years
(grade 11 and / or 12)
►
Misconceptions of IB
“It is only for gifted or high achieving students.”
– we have a few students with learning disabilities who qualify for
accomodations
► “I can’t be well-rounded in IB...no time.”
- IB students are very well-rounded and are the leaders of most of our
school clubs and organizations.
► “The homework is WAY more than the regular program.”
– likely 25% more
► “There is no flexibility and no choice.”
- With our large IB programme, there is definitely choice
► “IB is only for people who want to go to school overseas.”
- Canadian and US universities respect the IB curriculum, but benefits
vary
► “My marks will be way lower if I take IB.”
- The grades are “scaled” to reflect how we believe students would
perform in the regular Alberta program (however, not a perfect system)
►
What full IB students don’t
normally have time for:
Electives in Grade 10 (except band or choir) – Band and
choir are specifically timetabled to include IB students as
classes are offered “outside of the regular timetable” –
75% enrolled are IB students)
► Phys-Ed after Grade 10
► Three I.B. Sciences (most Science enthusiasts will take at
least one summer school class to complete a third non-IB
Science)
► CALM is usually taken on-line during Grade 11 (outside of
the timetable)
► Sample 3 year plans are in the IB Handbook
►
University Recognition of IB
Most universities recruit IB graduates. (In general,
universities want all of our Western grads!)
University of Alberta
Counts a “7” as a 98% for admission.
Gives advanced credit for HL and some SL classes
University of Calgary
Gives advanced credit for HL classes only
*Both give credit for full IB diplomas*
Check out the websites of institutions!
UBC – 15% of their undergraduate population is
made up of IB grads
What I.B. Students have said…
► “Grade
11 is the hardest year.”
► “Try full I.B. to keep your options open.”
► “Don’t cave in to peer pressure.”
► “First year university was a piece of cake.”
► “I am a lab goddess at university.”
► “Don’t procrastinate!”
Thank you!
► Email
serivers@cbe.ab.ca with IB specific
questions.