Welcome LSW Families!

International Baccalaureate®

Information Night

2025

IB Options at West

• Full IB Diploma
• IB Career Related Program (IBCP)
• IB Courses (Certificate)

Why Should students take IB Course(s)?

Isn’t it a lot of hard work for nothing?

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The IB Learners Strive to become:

• Inquirers
• Knowledgeable
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Open-minded

• Principled
• Caring
• Risk-takers
• Balanced
• Reflective

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Common Reasons for Choosing IB Diploma/Courses

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• Excellent Preparation for College
• Potential to earn College Credit
• Scholarships
• Admissions to some colleges
• Diploma candidates from West have been admitted to Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Purdue, Loyola Chicago, Northwestern and more.
• Sense of personal accomplishment
• Desire to challenge themselves academically

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College Preparedness

• ACT reports there is a higher correlation between taking challenging coursework and college success than student GPA and class rank.

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• DP alumni report the IB has profound, long-lasting effects on students’ lives. It helps them develop critical thinking, analytical and writing skills and a broader world view. In addition, they point out that they earned advanced credits for university. (IBO, 2015)

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What are the requirements of the IB Diploma?

IB Diploma Requirements

• 3 higher level (HL) courses- 2 years
• 3 standard level (SL) courses- 1 or 2 years
• Must have an IB English, IB Modern Language, IB Social Science, IB Science and IB Math course
• Theory of Knowledge- Spring Semester 11^th , Fall Semester 12^th
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)- activities to be well balanced person
• Extended Essay- research paper up to 4000 words

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IB Diploma Coursework available at LSW

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GROUP 1

• IB English A1 HL

GROUP 2

• IB Spanish SL & HL
• IB French SL & HL
• IB German SL
• IB Chinese ab int & SL

GROUP 3

• IB History of the Americas HL
• IB Psychology SL or HL
• IB Business Mngt SL or HL
• IB Social & Cultural Anthro

GROUP 4

• IB Biology HL or
• IB Chemistry HL or
• IB Environmental Systems & Societies SL
• IB Sports, Exercise & Health SL

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GROUP 5

• IB Math Applications & Interpretation SL
• IB Math Analysis & Approaches SL

GROUP 6

• IB Music SL
• IB Theatre SL/HL
• IB Visual Arts SL/HL
• Film SL/HL

CORE

Extended Essay

Theory of Knowledge

Creativity, Action, Service

(CAS)

IB Diploma Core

• Extended Essay (EE)
• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Extended Essay �

Acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities

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EE is NOT just a long report—analysis and evaluation is required

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Can be a topic of discussion at admissions interviews—especially at schools familiar with IB Diploma

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Students begin writing during Junior year and complete January Senior year

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

• TOK stimulates critical reflection on knowledge and experience
• Students examine the grounds for moral, political and aesthetic judgments

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• Students attempt to answer the question “What do I know, and how do I know that I know it?”

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• Taught as a zero hour, 2nd semester junior year and 1st semester senior year

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The Whole Person: Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)

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• 1 experience a week for 18 months beginning August of junior year

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• A variety of activities assist students in becoming responsible, compassionate citizens in their communities.

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The IB Career-Related Program (IBCP)�

IB Career-Related Program (IBCP)

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What Career Programs Qualify for IBCP?

• Summit Technology Academy Programs
• Herndon Programs
• Southland Caps
• Some offerings at LSWHS with certifications or competitions

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IBCP Core Requirements

Personal and Professional Skills Course (zero hour 1 day a week)

Reflective Project

Community Service verified at your high school by IBCP Coordinator

Language Portfolio

Are there cost for the programs?

• IB Diploma/CP

Currently, all IB Diploma exam fees (approx. $714) are paid by the district

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Currently the district pays for the 2 CP courses (approx. $298)

• IB DP Course Student

Exam fees are paid for by the student.

1 exam = $123

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Scholarship funds are available on a need basis.

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Scholarships and Credit for IB

Students

College Credit from IB Courses

• Each college/university sets its own policy
• Generally 4+ or 5+ earns college credit—sometimes more credit for higher score
• Some schools accept Standard Level courses only if they are part of the IB Diploma
• Can change from year to year

Missouri State University

• IB Diploma recipients automatically accepted to MSU
• IB diploma + 27 ACT = honors college
• Participation in the IB Program qualifies candidates for scholarships, e.g. Board of Governors $5500 per year

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Truman State

• 30 + points on diploma= 30 hours of credit.
• No diploma? HL courses with scores of 4+ = 3-4 hours credit

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University of Nebraska

• Actively pursue IB Diploma Candidates & IBCP Candidates
• IB Diploma Recipients receive waiver of out of state tuition all 4 years
• IB Diploma Recipients can receive credit for SL courses and ToK

UMKC

• UMKC IB Credit

University of Missouri

• University of Missouri-Columbia IB Credit

University of Kansas��IB admissions KU�

K-State

K-State IB Credit

Credit for Area Universities

IB Transfer Credit for local universities and colleges

Thank you for attending tonight!