Why Choose the IB Diploma?
What can parents do to help?
Make sure your student is successful in the 9th and 10th grade.
Courses in the IB Diploma at Cordova High stress depth
Encourage your student to enroll in a foreign language
The International
Baccalaureate
Diploma Program
over breadth in learning and develop students’ critical
thinking and problem solving skills. Because students
Discuss college expectations with your student early
Cordova High School
are required to accept more responsibility and
Educate yourself about IB
accountability for their education, the Diploma
Sign up for our e-mail list by e-mailing cgilmore@fcusd.org
Candidate School 2013-2014
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Program will have students exceptionally well prepared
to succeed at the university level.
Universities in the United States are continuing to
increase acceptance of IB coursework for college credit.
Since 2006, the UC and CSU systems have awarded 30
quarter or 20 semester units to Diploma students with
qualifying scores.
Students who are determined, enjoy a challenge, and
have an interest in global cultures and issues are likely
to be highly successful in the IB Diploma Program. The
Cordova High staff is dedicated to helping any student,
willing to put in the time and energy, achieve success in
the program.
Cordova High Is a candidate school for the Diploma Programme.
This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World
Schools share a common philosophy – a commitment to high
quality, challenging, international education – that we believe is
important for our students.
Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its
three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP),
the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme
(and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status
gives no guarantee the authorization will be granted.
For further information about the IB and its programmes visit
http://www.ibo.org.
Folsom Cordova Unified School District
1965 Birkmont Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
www.fcusd.org
Deborah Bettencourt, Superintendent
Dr. Janie Sorg, Asst. Superintendent Secondary Instruction
Curtis Wilson, Asst. Superintendent Elementary Instruction
Karen Knight, Asst. Superintendent Human Resources
Rhonda Crawford, Chief Financial Officer/CBO
Board of Education
Zak Ford, President
Teresa Stanley, Vice President
JoAnne Reinking, Clerk
Richard Shaw, Member
Ed Short, Member
Dan Anklam, Principal
Charles Gilmore, IB-DP Coordinator
2239 Chase Dr.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916)294.2450
“The International Baccalaureate (IB) aims
to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and
caring young people who help to create a
better and more peaceful world through
intercultural understanding and respect.”
The IB Learner Profile
IB learners strive to be:

Inquirers – their natural curiosity will be
nurtured to promote lifelong learning

Knowledgeable – they will explore
concepts, ideas, and issues that have global
relevance and significance

Thinkers – they will learn to apply thinking
skills, critically and creatively, to solve
complex problems

Communicators – they understand and
express ideas in a variety of ways and
modes of communication.

Courageous – they will learn to approach
unfamiliar situations with confidence and
forethought

Principled – they will be encouraged to
develop integrity, honesty, a sense of
fairness and justice as well as respect for
the dignity of the individual
Diploma candidates must be entering their junior year and are
required to study one course from each of the first five subject
groups and one elective course from any group.



Three courses must be at the Higher Level (240 hours)
Three courses must be at the Standard Level (150 hours)
Courses are offered over 2 years unless otherwise marked.
Expected Course Offerings
Group 1: Language A
Language and Literature HL
Group 2: Language B
Spanish SL/ab initio
French SL/ab initio
Group 3: Individuals and societies
History of the Americas HL
Economics SL*
Group 4: Experimental sciences
Biology HL
Chemistry SL*
Group 5: Mathematics and computer science
Mathematics SL
Math Studies SL*
Group 6: The arts
Visual Arts SL/HL
*indicates a 1-year course

Caring – they will put into practice a
personal commitment to action and service
to make a positive difference in the lives of
others as well as in the natural environment

Open-minded – they will become
accustomed to seeking and considering a
range of points of view

Well-balanced – they will come to
understand the importance of physical and
mental balance as well as personal wellbeing for themselves and others

Diploma Program Requirements
Reflective – they will learn to give
thoughtful considerations to their own
learning and personal development
“IB is well known to us for
excellent preparation. Success in
an IB programme correlates well
with success at Harvard. We are
always pleased to see the
credentials of the IB Diploma
Programme on the transcript.”
Marilyn McGrath Lewis
Director of Admissions
Harvard University
Diploma Program Core
In addition to their six courses, diploma
candidates must complete the three elements
that make up the Core.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a two semester
course designed to unify the six subject areas
and develop inquiry and critical thinking.
Students learn the development of cognition
and to identify how and why cultural norms
exist.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) requires
students to be involved in sports, artistic
pursuits, and community service (150 hours over
2 years). The goal of CAS is to help create a
well-rounded, balanced learner.
The Extended Essay offers an opportunity to
investigate a topic of special interest at length
and to become familiar with the research and
writing skills expected at the university level. It
provides for a mentor teacher to assist students
in developing this “mini-thesis”.