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The International Baccalaureate Program at Sturgis

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The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

IB Mission Statement

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Sturgis students are part of the IB network of schools in over 150 countries

More than 170,000 students worldwide!

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Six academic areas enclosing a central core.

Encourages the concurrent study of a broad range of academic areas.

English, French, Spanish or Latin, History, a Science, Math, Theater, Music, or Visual Arts.

Range of subjects makes the DP a demanding course of study designed to prepare students effectively for university.

In each academic area students have flexibility and can choose subjects that interest them (may wish to study further at university).

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The IB Diploma Programme

Holistic, student-centered and internationally minded
Engages students in their own learning
Process and skills as important as content
Builds confidence and persistence needed to achieve challenging goals in our changing world.

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IB Learners are:

Encouraged to think critically and solve complex problems
Drive their own learning
A core part in educational programmes that can lead them to some of the highest-ranking universities around the world
More culturally aware through the development of a second language
Able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

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IB DP Prepares YOU for the Future

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Sturgis Culture is built around the IB Learner Profile encouraging academic and personal growth.

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The IB at Sturgis: “IB for All”

At Sturgis all students in Grades 11 and 12 take IB courses

All students earn a Sturgis Charter School Diploma

“IB Course Student”

Student who chooses to take any combination of courses

IB certificates recognizing achievements in each IB course

Not eligible for the IB Diploma

“IB Diploma Candidate”

Student who chooses to complete TOK, CAS, an EE, and three Higher Level courses can attempt to earn the IB Diploma

“IB Bilingual Diploma Candidate”

Students complete all requirements for the IB Diploma

+

Complete assessments in: History, Psychology, Business or Science course in Spanish/French

OR

Complete a Literature Course in an acquired language at the SL level

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Extended Essay (EE)

All students may elect to do the Extended Essay (EE)

A 4,000 word essay in which students independently investigate a topic of their choosing.

The EE is a process: begins at the end of junior year and is due halfway through senior year

(around 9 months)

Example of EE topics:

Biology: To what extent do yogic breathing practices increase lung capacity, short term and long term, in swimmers?

Visual Arts: To what extent does art depict gender norms throughout the 1900's, and how does this affect how gender is viewed today?

World Studies: To What Extent Does the HIV epidemic Affect Women's Ability to Hold Political Positions of Power in Kigali, Rwanda after 1994?

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Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

All students may elect to take Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

How do we know what we know?

Perception Imagination Language

Faith Reason

Intuition Emotion Memory

What assumptions do we make in judgements?

How does culture influence what we know and what we value?

What is the difference in how we build knowledge in history, art, the sciences, and math?

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Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

All students may choose to participate in CAS

Develop personal/interpersonal growth by learning through experience and by providing them opportunities to self-determination and collaboration.

Counterbalance to the academic rigor of the IBDP

Motivates students to show initiative and perseverance and to develop collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making skills, while having fun!

Service

Voluntary exchanges that teach students the values of individual rights, dignity, and autonomy of all those involved.

Activity

Experiences that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, like physical exertion or team/individual sports.

Creativity Experiences that include creative and original thinking.

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Choices, Choices

ALL students (IB Course Students and IB Diploma Candidates), are required to take IB English, History, Math, a Science and an Acquired Language.
Elective (*): Students can choose a Group 6 subject or an additional Language, Social Science or Science.
IB DP: 3 subjects are taken at higher level (HL), and 3 standard level (SL).
Bilingual Diploma (+): Literature (Group 1 course) in an acquired language

Group 1

English Lit.

HL or SL

(+) Lit. Acquired Language SL (Portuguese/ Spanish/French, etc.)

Group 2

French

HL or SL

AB Initio (1 year)

Spanish

HL or SL

AB Initio (1 year)

Latin

HL or SL

Group 3

History

HL or SL

(*) Psychology SL or HL

(*) Business

SL or HL

Group 4

Biology

HL or SL

Chemistry

HL or SL

Physics

HL or SL

Environmental Systems and Societies SL

Computer Science

HL or SL

Group 5

Math Analysis & Approaches

HL or SL

Math Application & Interpretation SL

Group 6

(*)Theater

HL or SL

(*)Visual Arts

HL or SL

(*)Music

HL or SL

*Electives

Group 6 class

or

Additional Language

or

Additional Social Science

or

Additional Science

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Standard Level or Higher Level?

Standard Level courses are rigorous college-prep courses.

Higher Level courses studied in greater depth and breadth of content, very demanding

IB Diploma Candidates: 3 HL + 3 SL

Sturgis: 3 HL courses max.

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Assessments in IB Classes

Internal Assessments (IA’s)

Graded by teacher; samples sent to IB for moderation.

Ex: History Investigation, Language orals

External Assessments

Graded by examiners at another IB school in one of the 150+ countries that offer IB.

Ex: Music Investigation, TOK Essay

IB Examinations �Taken at Sturgis, graded by examiners at IB schools worldwide.

All Sturgis students take all IB exams.

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IB Subject Descriptors

Are you a student deciding on subjects to enroll in?

Are you a parent or a counsellor supporting your student in reaching their higher education goals?

This information can help you select the courses that best fit you or your students’ goals

Read the Subject Briefs for the

IB Courses offered at Sturgis HERE

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IB Diploma Requirements

24 points minimum between all IB exams:

12 points minimum on HL classes

9 points minimum on SL classes

No grade 1 in any class

All CAS requirements completed
No “N” awarded for TOK, EE, or a contributing subject
No “E” awarded for TOK or EE
No more than two grade 2 awarded (SL or HL)
No more than three grade 3 or below awarded (SL or HL)
Candidate has no penalty for academic misconduct

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Mathematics Routes at Sturgis

9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade

Math 9

Algebra 1

Integrated Math 9

Integrated Math 10

Algebra 2

Algebra 2 with Trigonometry

IB Math Applications SL1

IB Math Analysis SL1

IB Math Analysis HL1

IB Math Applications SL2

IB Math Analysis SL2

IB Math Analysis HL2

Students may go from Algebra 1 to Algebra 2 via Fast Track in 10th grade
Common for students to go from Algebra 2 to IB Math Applications SL1
Common for students to go from Algebra 2 with Trigonometry to IB Math Analysis SL1

Via Fast Track in 10th grade

Common

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Atypical Modern Language Routes

If a 9th Grade student tests into Language 2 these are possible routes for them:

9th Grade	Language 2
10th Grade	Language B SL1
11th Grade	Language B HL1	Language B SL2
12th Grade	Language B HL2	Study

*Language A Literature Self-Taught

Course for students who are native speakers or those with extensive exposure to the language
Independent Study - self supported, self taught
Student(s) works independently 5 out of 6 days in the rotating schedule, meets with a teacher 1 block during the rotating schedule for support/guidance/clarification

Note:

Only seniors are allowed to sit HL exams; the IB does not allow juniors to sit anticipated exams.
Students who complete Language A Lit. in an acquired language are eligible for the Bilingual Diploma

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Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy

The Seal of Biliteracy is for any student who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language, whether they speak the non-English language at home, learned it at school or in the community.

Seal appears on the high school diploma of the graduating 12th grader after they have earned qualifying scores on their grade 10 ELA MCAS and a designated world language assessment taken in 11th grade"

The MA State Seal of Biliteracy is separate from the IB Bilingual Diploma.

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The IB and Life After Sturgis

Entering or considering university in the U.S.? You may be looking to lower the cost of your education or the time it takes to graduate!

ALL Students: possible university credit for IB classes in the U.S. and internationally (varies from institution to institution) Credits = Money!
Diploma Candidates: possible Advanced Standing (entering as a sophomore) or get an increase in their grade point average if recalculated for admission
Scholarship possibilities and opportunities
ALL students: with an IB education, placement tests for subjects may be available to place in another level.
Check what colleges and universities recognize IB Programs here!