Scholars Academy
and IB Diploma
Program
Mr. David Guthrie
Lead Teacher, Scholars Academy
Mr. Carlos Rodriguez
IB Coordinator
Your Home at
Miami Beach Senior High
MBSH Since 2007
•Raised school performance grade to an A school
•US News top ranked MDCPS non-charter/magnet public HS
•More than doubled AP participation from 625 to 1585
•An IB World School
•85% of IB students have received IB Diploma
•Implemented seven career and college prep academies
•Completely remodeled/new facility
MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH IS A COMPREHENSIVE,
PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT SERVES 2500 STUDENTS
•Historically, several academies provided specialized
instruction to smaller groups of students prior to 2008:
•Scholars Academy
•Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
•Academy of Information Technology
•Research shows that students perform better in smaller
learning communities.
•The existing academies have been extremely popular
institutions at Beach High.
•In 2008-2009, new academies were established within three
“schools within our school.”
THE NEW BEACH HIGH: SCHOOLS WITHIN A SCHOOL
2008-2009
School of
Liberal Arts
Academy of Marine
and Environmental
Science (AMES)
School of
Creative Arts
Academy of Visual
and Performing Arts
Scholars Academy
Academy of
Communications and
Digital Media
•Other Programs
•AVID Program
•Naval JROTC Program
•IB Program
School of
Technical Arts
Academy of Hospitality
and Tourism
Academy of Education
and Training
Academy of
Information
Technology
BENEFITS TO AN “ALL ACADEMY MODEL”
AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH
Personalized Learning
Environments
Academic
Engagement
of All Students
Empowered
Educators
All youth ready for
college, careers,
and active civic
participation.
Engaged
Community
and Youth
Accountable
Leaders
Integrated System of High Standards, Curriculum,
Instruction, Assessments, and Support
Feedback on Academic Rigor from
Youth Truth Advisory Survey
 Most of my teachers apply themselves with an
enthusiasm about their subject which is contagious, and
this really helps me as a student to gain interest and do
well in the subject they teach.”
 “In my school they provide us with AP classes which are
college level courses which prepare me for college. And
because of this I feel like I'm already a college student
and not in high school.”
 “Having more challenging classes will help me
challenge myself in the future and help me understand
what I'm against in a career.”
IS THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY
RIGHT FOR YOU?
•Students begin college level,
Advanced Placement (AP)
coursework in grade 9 with
options increasing each year.
•Students may apply for the IB
Diploma Program for grades 1112, or continue with AP and
advanced classes.
•Students must maintain an
“unweighted” GPA of 3.0 in the
academic core courses of
Mathematics, Science, Language
Arts and Social Studies.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AND EXAMS
•The core curriculum of the Scholars Academy includes
Honors and Advanced Placement courses and exams.
•AP courses are high school classes that can count for
introductory college coursework when students pass an AP
exam.
•AP exams are scored on a scale of 1-5 by The College
Board. Scores of 3 or higher are considered passing, but
many universities require scores of 4 or 5 to earn college
credit.
•AP syllabi must be approved by The College Board,
ensuring that AP courses are taught at the same high level
nationwide.
Miami Beach
Senior High has
increased access
to its Advanced
Placement
curriculum, while
maintaining a
pass rate above
the Miami-Dade
County Public
Schools average.
Students may apply for the IB Diploma
Program during the sophomore year.
• The IB Diploma is based on taking a series of advanced
classes in 6 subject areas with both internal and external
tests and assessments. Most classes are two years in
length.
• Students also complete requirements by writing an
extended essay, doing community service projects, and
completing TOK class.
• The program highlights development of a well-rounded
individual with an “international minded” outlook.
• The IB Diploma curriculum is highly respected and
honored by universities throughout the world.
• Additional information is available at www.ibo.org
Programmes : What is the Learner Profile?
It’s the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century.
IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the
IB continuum of international education: these are values that should
infuse all elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the
culture and ethos of all IB World Schools.
IB programmes promote the education of the whole person,
emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth
through all domains of knowledge.
Balanced
Reflective
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
The curriculum contains six subject groups and a core of three parts.
Students study
concurrently:

three subjects at
higher level
(240 hours each).

three subjects at standard
level
(150 hours each).

all three parts of the core.
The IB Learner Profile and
the core are central to the
philosophy of the Diploma
Programme.
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
There are three core requirements
The extended essay:
•
4,000 words
•
Offers the opportunity to investigate a
research question of individual interest
•
Familiarises students with the
independent research and writing skills
expected at university
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
Creativity, action and service
(CAS):
•
Encourages students to be involved in
artistic pursuits, sports and community
service
•
Education outside the classroom
•
Development of the learner profile
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
Theory of knowledge:
•
Interdisciplinary
•
Explores the nature of knowledge
across disciplines
•
Encouraging an appreciation of other
cultural perspectives
What is special about IB assessment?
IB assessment is rigorous, criterion related, consistent and differentiating of student ability.
•
•
•
•
•
The diploma is graded over 45 points
giving ample scope to differentiate
student ability
•
Marks awarded for each course range
from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).
All 4,000 examiners are ‘quality checked’
through a process of moderation.
•
Diploma is awarded to students who gain
at least 24 points.
The IB undertakes random inspections of
schools during exams.
•
The overall diploma pass rate is broadly
consistent year on year
•
Diploma Programme assessment –
principles and practice – available on
www.ibo.org
Diploma Programme assessment
includes both final examinations and
internal assessment undertaken by the
teacher to IB criteria and then externally
moderated by the IB.
Results are published on 5 July for May
session and 5 January for the November
session.
University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by
universities?
The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.
The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the world to
gain recognition for the IB diploma:
•
•
•
•
•
Direct online access for university admissions officers and government officials to
syllabuses and recent examination papers
A database of university admission policies on www.ibo.org
Recognition in over 100 countries
Recognition by over 2,000 universities
Some universities offer scholarships and advanced placement for IB students
Students applying to a particular university can access their grades
directly from the IB’s secure web site.
SCHOLARS
ACADEMY
students perform
at the top of their
class at Miami
Beach Senior
High, and are
competitive
nationally for
college
recruitment
Scholars Academy graduates
have been accepted at:
Yale, U Penn, Harvard, USC, Emory,
U Chicago, Princeton, Georgetown,
Dartmouth, Cornell, Duke, MIT, UC Berkeley,
Purdue, Beloit, Fordham, Georgia Tech,
Swarthmore, Wisconsin, New College,
U Florida, Smith, NYU, Santa Clara, FIU,
Tulane, Hampshire, Bucknell, Boston College,
Lehigh, Hampton, FSU, Johns Hopkins,
Wash U, U Miami, U Michigan, USF,
Loyola NO, Drexel, Hartford, St. John’s,
Suffolk, U Texas, George Washington, Barry,
MDC Honors College, Pratt Institute, NC State,
Bowling Green State, Boston University, and many more
SCHOLARS ACADEMY ADMISSIONS AND RETENTION:
•The Scholars Academy has grown to accept approximately 150
incoming 9th grade students. Students must have completed
Honors Algebra 1 and Physical Science prior to 9th grade.
•Once students matriculate into the program, they are required
to maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.0 in the academic core
courses of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social
Studies.
•Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum standards are
placed on Academic Probation, and are expected to meet
minimum standards by the end of one year or exit the program.
•A small number of students exit each year because of family
moves or poor academic performance, opening up spaces for
determined sophomores and juniors.
How can I get an application?
Apply online at the school website at:
http://miamibeachhigh.schoolwires.com and
click on the academies banner and follow the
links to Scholars Academy and IB Program.
We have tours throughout the semester.
If you attend private school please mail your
transcripts from 6th-8th grades to:
Miami Beach Senior High Scholars Academy
Attn: David Guthrie
2231 Prairie Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
305-532-4515-ext2708