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YOUR DESERT MOUNTAIN COUNSELORS �ARE READY TO HELP YOU!

STUDENTS: If you have questions at the end of this presentation, please reach out to your counselor directly.

Feel free to email your counselor directly:

Counselors are divided by student's last names

A-Ct Jonathan Brechner jbrechner@susd.org

Cu-Hem Chris Helder chelder@susd.org

Hen - J Amanda Wagner awagner@susd.org

K-M Michelle Okun mokun@susd.org

N- Ser Veva Pacheco vevapacheco@susd.org

Ses-Z Marie Reilly mreilly@susd.org

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It’s time to plan for your

IB Senior Year

This Powerpoint was created for current IB 11^th Grade Students continuing in the IB Diploma Program in 12th grade. If you are not continuing in the IB program, please refer to the standard 12^th grade Powerpoint Linked on our Counseling Page.

Purpose:

The purpose of this presentation is to familiarize students and parents with the

IB Diploma Program (DP) registration process and assist with course selection.

Goal:

The goal at the end of the presentation is to select your IB DP 12^th grade courses and to list course selections on the form provided during classroom presentations and to enter course selections into Synergy

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

4 Math
4 English
3 Lab Science
3 Social Studies
1 Fine Art or CTE
1 PE (waived if you complete the diploma program)
6 Electives

22 CREDITS TOTAL

IB students who complete the Diploma program are often eligible for the

Seal of Biliteracy &/or Fine Arts Seal.

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CLASS OPTIONS�

IB HL/SL Courses

Weighted on 5.0 scale
Most classes taken by IB students only
Admission into the IB program required
HL: 2-year courses SL: 1-year courses

Honors Classes

Placement based on teacher recommendation
Weighted on 5.0 scale
Require 1 semester commitment and Honors Contract

Advanced Placement (Click here for more AP information)

Year long commitment
Test in Spring – fee associated with testing
Test score determines college credit
Weighted on 5.0 scale
IB Students may pay and sit for AP exams (check both AP and IB exam schedules)

Dual Enrollment

Several SL or HL classes are eligible for Dual Enrollment
Earn community college credit while in high school
Fee associated with course payable to Scottsdale Community College Dual Enrollment

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DESERT MOUNTAIN IB DIPLOMA COURSES

Diploma Candidates must complete IB’s three core components, CAS, TOK and Extended Essay.

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12^th Grade IB Course Selections

Group 1: Language and Literature IB HL English required for all DP students

Group 2: Language Acquisition

Group 3: Individuals and Society

Group 4: Experimental Sciences

Group 5: Mathematics

Group 6: The Arts

Needed for IB Diploma 3 HL’s & 3 SL’s OR 4 HL’s and 2SL’s

CAS, TOK, and Extended Essay

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CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE

HSPG 25-26

High School Planning Guide provides detailed course descriptions and course prerequisites. It also provides information on graduation requirements, college admission, fees, as well as critical information on deadlines, withdrawal dates and class rank. IB section for detailed IB information.

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All 12^th grade IB students take IB English IV (Lang A1HL)

Group 1-Language and Literature

Group 2- Language Acquisition

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GROUP 3- INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY: SOCIAL STUDIES�

DO NOT FORGET TO COMPLETE GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMICS.

This is an SUSD requirement for graduation.

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GROUP 4- EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES

Computer Science SL - Elective Only. Can serve as a replacement of Group 6 Arts

Chemistry SL- prerequisite Chemistry or Chemistry Honors

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GROUP 6: THE ARTS

Course	Prerequisite
IB Art Design SL & HL	Studio Art I and Level II Art Course
IB Theater SL & HL	Theater I and Theater II
Music SL & HL (HL Code to Follow)	Teacher Approval
Dance SL	Dance II or III or by audition or teacher approval

Students who choose not to take a class from Group 6, must take an additional class from Group 3 or 4.

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DIPLOMA CORE COURSES

Diploma Candidates must complete IB’s three core components, CAS, TOK and Extended Essay.

Some IB seniors have room in their schedules for an elective credit. For a complete listing of elective courses available to Seniors see course listing sheets on Guidance Website

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NOTE: SENIORS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE 5 CLASSES DURING THEIR SENIOR YEAR

Students can retake classes to increase their GPA
Students can take this opportunity to explore interests in a new class
Students can take an AP class to receive college credit depending on program and university.

Use these codes if you choose to take an early release: Early Release 2058-2059

***Please Note that in order for a student to have an early release, they must have all of their required classes completed for graduation.

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New Ranking

Class of 2025

• Latin System of Academic Recognition – Begins with Class of 2025

Starting with the Class of 2025, rank in class will no longer be used in SUSD.

• Overall Weighted GPA will be used to recognize students using the Latin Honor System of Academic

Recognition. Latin Honor distinction categories include:

o Cum Laude: Students with an Overall Weighted GPA of 3.750-4.249

o Magna Cum Laude: Students with an Overall Weighted GPA of 4.250-4.499

o Summa Cum Laude: Students with an Overall Weighted GPA of 4.500+

• Overall Weighted GPA includes all grades earned in all classes.

• Overall Weighted GPA and Latin Honor distinction will be reported in the transcript at the conclusion of 6th

semester and again at the end of 7th semester.

• The methods used to compute grade point average will be reported to students, parent/guardians, and any

authorized transcript recipients

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TIME TO MAKE YOUR CHOICES AND �ENTER YOUR SCHEDULE INTO SYNERGY

Fill out

Fill out the grade level specific colored course selection sheet that was passed out in your class.

Review

Go over your course selections with your parent.

Reminder: You need 3 signatures plus your own.

Sign & Save

Have your parent SIGN the colored selection sheet and place it in a SAFE SPOT!

This sheet WILL BE COLLECTED by counselors when we do one-on-one meetings with you.

Synergy

Use this sheet to enter your selections into Synergy

Need Help? Links to synergy power point and direction sheet can be found on our Counselor Webpage.

PLEASE NOTE: If you do not select classes, counselors will select courses for you and will not be able to make changes.

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HOW TO PRINT YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT?

You can print your unofficial transcript following these steps:

Log into Student Vue/Parent Vue
Go to Course History
Look for the blue box that says unofficial transcript with printer icon
No need to wait or ask a counselor to print!!

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FINAL STEP FOR SELECTING �YOUR COURSES��

Ready to select classes?

Complete the form given to you by your counselor.

Do not forget to add your classes to Studentvue.

Bring your forms back on the date selected for your class to give to your counselor.

NOTE: If you do not bring your form back, your counselor will pick classes for you.

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IMPORTANT NOTES

Counselors will meet with you in English classes to check your course selections. If you do not input courses, your counselor will select courses for you!
Not sure which classes you have taken? Print a copy of your transcript: Guidance Department click the button titled “Transcripts”.
There will be NO COURSE CHANGES at the start of the school year except for classes completed in summer school.
Failed (F) core courses needed for graduation will need to be retaken either during the school year or during summer school and may result in course selection adjustments.
By registering for Honors courses you agree to abide by the Honors Contract
Students who drop any portion of the DP Program must drop all IB classes. This change can only occur at semester if space is available.
Non-SUSD courses must be approved by your counselor.

NO COURSE CHANGES AFTER MARCH 31,2025

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