International
Baccalaureate
Gunn High School
IB Program
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For the past year, Gunn High School has been
exploring the possibility of becoming an
International Baccalaureate school.
IB Overview

The IB program of education was created in
1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, as an academic
program to challenge students and to connect
internationally their education.
IB Overview

The coursework is accomplished during a
student’s junior and senior year of study and
students are challenged in six different subjects
of which three must be Higher Level (HL) and
three at Standard Level (SL).
IB Overview

In addition, the students are required to take
Theory of Knowledge (TOK), write an
Extended Essay (EE) and perform 150 hours of
service through Creativity, Action and Service
(CAS).
IB Overview

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Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is the core of the
IB program.
TOK requires students to reflect on their roles
as knowers.
IB Overivew

Extended Essay (EE)
4000 word essay on any topic that covers one of the
subject areas.
 Student works with advisor on the essay.

IB Overview

Creativity Action Service (CAS)
Creativity
 Action
 Service

Student performs 150 hours, approximately 50 hours in
each field.
 The service work asks students to plan, do and reflect.
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IB Overview

In the three HL and three SL courses, the
students are scored on a 1-7 scale with 4
representing a passing score. To receive an IB
Diploma, the student must earn a combined
score of 24.
IB Overview

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Students will receive three bonus points for EE
and TOK.
Score of 30 or better allows for students to
receive special consideration from many
universities.
UC System
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30 points=30 units
USC
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30 points=20 units
IB Overview

Academic institutions worldwide accept the IB
as excellent preparation for college level work.
IB and AP

While both IB and AP programs are challenging
and similar in the fact that passing scores on the
tests allow for a student to receive college credit,
they are different in their approach.
IB and AP

The IB program has more of an international and
interdisciplinary perspective and is considered by
many to have a broader spectrum and greater
depth in the way it covers material. Also, the IB
program is much more recognized internationally
by universities than the AP program.
IB and AP

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IB has an assessment model than includes the
teacher. AP is strictly the test in May.
IB uses a model where both the teacher and the
test are used to arrive with the final score.
Teacher Assessment (40%)
 Exam Assessment (60%)

Why IB at Gunn?

We feel the IB program would be a good fit for
Gunn High School. Our school already has an
international community and perspective and
our students are well prepared for the rigors and
the challenges of IB.
Why IB at Gunn?

We also like the approach IB has towards
education. Many teachers at Gunn have gone to
IB conferences and have found that IB is much
deeper in the way students learn and they like
the fact that IB emphasizes on “what students
know” rather than what they don’t know.
Gunn Research on IB

We have had over 20 teachers representing every
department in school attend conferences and/or
visit schools
Gunn Research on IB
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We have had discussions with or visited the following
IB schools
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Capuchino
Sequoia
Coronodo
Mission Viejo
Granite Bay
Berkeley
San Jose Academy
Scotts Valley
Gunn Research on IB

Over the past year we have had numerous
teachers attend workshops and visit IB schools
Gunn Research on IB
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To a person, everybody has been impressed with
approach to education that IB fosters.
Gunn Reseach on IB

Positive Observations about IB
Interdisciplinary approach
 Significant writing component
 Community Involvement with a service learning
component
 Teachers play an integral part of student’s
assessment (40% of it is based on teacher
assessment, 60% on the exam)
 Teaching students to “think”

How Would IB Look at Gunn


We look to offer a program that will expand
options for our students.
Our goal is to design a program that will be
accessible to all students

In our research, every math lane at Gunn could lead
to an SL Math class.
How Would IB Look at Gunn?

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In the beginning the approach would be more in
the Humanities (English, Social Studies,
Languages, Theatre) as possible High Level
courses.
Math and Science would be Standard Level
(other courses would be available in SL such as
Languages).
When could the program start?

The earliest the program could start at Gunn
would be with either the Class of 2013 or 2014.
Gunn High School can begin the application process
this summer.
 IB Accreditation takes at least one year.
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Next Steps
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IB application process
Continue having teachers visit schools
Continue having teachers attend conferences
Develop IB curriculum
Identify and recruit potential students
IB Link

For more information about IB, go to
www.ibo.org
Click on Diploma Programme
Click on University Recognition
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/index.cfm