The IB Diploma Programme

Full Diploma or Course Candidate

Tonight’s Presentation

• Perspectives
• Benefits of IB
• How the Program Operates
• Questions
• What’s next

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Alumnus Perspective

“I have felt so well prepared academically for all my college classes and assignments, and I think I owe a lot of that to the IB program these past couple of years. So many of the skills that you promote within the program have helped me immensely these past few months, and I am so grateful for that.” 

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--Charlotte Burts, Class of 2021

Parent Perspective

“(My son) is working very hard at Tech, but IB better prepared him for it.  For example, he has an English class this semester and other kids balked at the number of papers that are required.  Carter, on the other hand, noted it is much less than what was required in IB and so he felt ready even while balancing very hard math and science classes.”

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--Ms. Kimberly Hale, Class of 2020 Parent

Alumnus Perspective

“IB Diploma has shown me the joy of application. The flexibility in the curriculum has allowed me to explore the subjects I study in a more personalized way and tailor my education to my strengths and weaknesses.”

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--Raya Ward, Class of 2017

Benefits:

• Rigor
• Communication Skills
• Research
• Freedom
• Thinking Skills
• College
• Admission
• Preparedness
• Credits
• Community
• Students
• Teachers

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College Enrollment and Graduation Rates

College Enrollment and Graduation Rates

The Learner Profile

Course Requirements

• Full Diploma
• 6 IB subjects—1 per group
• 3 HL/ 3 SL
• Can pursue up to 4 HL
• TOK, EE, CAS

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• Course Candidate
• 1-3 HL Classes

Group 1: Language and Literature

• IB Language A HL
• 2 years
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Speaking

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Group 2: Language Acquisition

• Spanish or French
• HL or SL
• Spanish or French ab initio SL (with special permission)
• 2 years

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

• IB History of the Americas HL
• 2 years
• IB Psychology SL
• 1 year
• AP US History

Group 4: Sciences

• IB Physics HL
• 2 years
• IB Science SL
• IB Biology
• IB Environmental Systems
• 1 year
• AP Physics I or Honors Physics

Group 5: Mathematics

• Accelerated Pre-Calculus
• IB Mathematics HL
• 2 years
• IB Mathematics SL
• 1 year
• Accelerated Geometry
• IB Mathematics HL /SL
• 2 years
• Other
• IB Mathematics SL

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• (and other options)

Group 6: The Arts

• IB Visual Arts HL/SL
• 2 years
• IB Music SL
• Advanced Band, Orchestra, Chorus
• Senior year
• IB Theatre SL
• Other Courses

TOK, CAS, EE

• Theory of Knowledge
• Taught as block with IB LA Junior Year and through bi-monthly meetings Senior Year
• Knowledge Issues
• Creativity, Activity, Service
• Balance of each
• Monthly reflections and postings
• Learning Outcomes
• Extended Essay
• College Level Research Paper
• Topic/ Subject of Interest
• Self-directed with Supervisor Support

Testing

• Tests in subjects at the end of the course (almost always spring of senior year).
• Scored 1-7.
• Opportunity for college credit.
• NHS does very well.

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FAQ

• Can I participate in extracurricular activities?
• How will it affect my GPA?
• How is IB different than AP?
• Will I earn college credit?
• What is the workload?

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Helpful links:

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• https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/15448

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• http://www.ibo.org/information-for-parents/

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• http://www.ibo.org/diploma-guide/

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• http://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/

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What’s Next?

• Investigate resources and decide what is best for your student.

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• Contact me with questions. (dan.byrne@gcpsk12.org).

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• Commit to full diploma by emailing me by 3/1 (dan.byrne@gcpsk12.org).

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• If students choose to pursue the Full Diploma option, we will evaluate academic credits and help students finalize their two-year plans beyond what they created in the current course scheduling process.

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Questions

• Dan Byrne, IB DP Coordinator

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• dan.byrne@gcpsk12.org

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• 770-326-8011