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Niwot’s Pre-IB (NPIB)

&

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Diploma Programme (DP)

December 3, 2024

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Niwot HS is attended by a diverse group of students who have historically come from a wide range of middle schools including and not limited to:

APEX

Boulder Country Day School

Dawson Academy

Friends School

Homeschool

Mackintosh Academy

Rocky Mountain Christian Academy

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Shining Mountain Waldorf School

Southern Hills

St. John the Baptist

Other

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Why so many select Niwot High School?

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What is IB?

The International Baccalaureate® Organization (IBO) offers an education for students from age 3 to 19, comprising of four programmes that focus on teaching students to think critically and independently, and how to inquire with care and logic.

As of November 2023, the IB reported having authorized 8,000 IB programmes that are being offered worldwide in over 5,700 schools across 160 countries.

@Alpine & Central Elementary

@ Sunset MS

@ Niwot HS

since 2001

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IB’s Mission

If this mission resonates with you, the IB education is for you.

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Why consider IB education?

Since the answers will vary depending on who you ask

let’s consider a few different perspectives

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  • DP graduates have higher immediate college enrollment rates than the national average and favor four-year institutions
  • DP graduates tend to enroll in “More selective” postsecondary institutions
  • DP graduates persist at much higher rates than the national average
  • DP students choose a variety of fields of study
  • DP students have much higher four- and six-year graduation rates compared to the national average

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Cross Programmes

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IB Staff at NHS

IB Core:

EE

TOK

CAS

International

Mindedness

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Skills developed as a result of IB education

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$31,774 per year

$40,838 per year

$33,439 per year

$73,517 per year

$87,128 per year

IB Diploma can provide you with significant savings toward college tuition. Students can receive 24 or more college credits for their IB Diploma, which can save you up to 2 years worth of college tuition.

Below listed are few examples of our CO schools with ticket price for residents living on campus.

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“It is the best high school prep curriculum an American School can offer.”

Marilee Jones, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, M.I.T.

“It is well known to us as excellent preparation”

Marlyn McGrath Lewis, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Harvard University

“We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific.” Christoph Guttentag, Director of Admissions, Duke University

Brian Spittle

DePaul University

If you ask colleges/universities about

the value of IB education:

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The overall consensus from the NHS IB students is that our IB teachers are simply the best!

All IB teachers undergo specialized IB training in order to teach the IB curriculum.

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If you have a question about homework and how much of will there be in the NPIB and/or IB DP, you may want to also think about how much homework will you have in college?

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If you ask me, an IB Coordinator and a parent of 2 IB Diploma recipients:

  • It can help you become a compassionate, well-rounded and respectful of others and their differences person. As well as someone who cares to make the world a better place.

  • It provides college level education in both oral and written communication and a broad academic foundation across a variety of subjects. It also allows the individual to develop the personal skills needed to effectively function in a global society.

  • It aids in not only the acceptance to some of the highest ranking colleges and universities in the world due to amazing preparation for the academic rigor of these institutions, but more importantly in the successful completion of the chosen degree on time or better yet with an early graduation.

  • It may lead to a substantial amount of college credit and monetary savings. For example, Colorado (House Bill 1108) guarantees a minimum of 24 undergraduate credits to the IB Diploma recipients. Other states have similar laws in place.

  • The bottom line is that different things will resonate with different people for different reasons. You can find your own reasons to come to NHS and your own benefit from the IB education.

  • With that said, what do we recommend that 8th graders do to access this opportunity? Niwot Pre-IB (NPIB) course sequence, which will have a student ready for any and all options including the IB DP.

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All that to foster:

  • Happy, balanced and well-rounded graduates
  • With second to none college/career readiness
  • Enjoying life-long friendships!

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At Niwot HS our students can access IB education in one of

two ways!

IB Diploma Programme (IB Diploma Candidates) or Individual IB Courses (À la carte)

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How does NHS prepare students for IB education?

Students enrolled in the full NPIB course sequence in 9th & 10th grades, in anticipation of participation in the the IB DP in grades 11th and 12th grade, engage in the following NPIB courses and requirements:

  1. NPIB/Honors English in grades 9th and 10th
  2. NPIB/Honors World Language (French or Spanish) in grades 9th and 10th
  3. World Geography/History Honors in 9th grade and NPIB/Honors US History in 10th grade
  4. Biology Honors in 9th grade and NPIB/Honors Chemistry in 10th grade
  5. Math courses as appropriate to students' readiness
  6. A total of 50 hours of unpaid community service in grades 9 and 10

In order to express interest in being registered for this NPIB course sequence and an IB education at NHS, students must first complete the “NPIB Intent to Enroll Form” to initiate that process.

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Students interested in the IB Diploma must start in WL NPIB/Honors level 1 or 2 in 9th grade to be adequately prepared for the IB Diploma required IB World Language courses (IB French/IB Spanish).

Students who are fluent (above NPIB level 2 in any of the two world languages offered at NHS) must register for another world language. These students are encouraged to continue with the development of the languages spoken at home.

Placement tests are available from the NHS World Language Department if needed to help determine proper WL placement.

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Math is both high school graduation requirement and one of the IB DP requirements.

Successful completion of Algebra 2 is a minimum requirement to access the IB DP

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For students for whom

NHS is not their designated attendance/homeschool:

Open Enrollment - 12/2/24-12/16/24

Depending on the address of your residence, Niwot High School either is, �or is not your designated attendance school/area

  • If it is, you do not need to complete the OE
  • If it is not, you do need to complete the OE
  • If you are not sure, visit: https://www.svvsd.org/schools/maps-boundaries/, type in your home address in the “enter your address”
  • Your address and Your schools will appear� like in this example:

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Complete & submit electronically

the NPIB Intent Enroll Form

by 1/10/25

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NHS Counseling

Team 2024-2025

NHS Registrar

Gunilla Godebu

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Message from the NHS Counselors *

Set yourself up for success!

  • There’s a pathway for everyone
  • Be mindful of the courses you are choosing
  • Consider your strengths
  • Mental health and balance
  • If you’re not sure about managing a full course load of NPIB/Honors courses: ask your current teachers, NHS counselor, or reach out to Ms. Towlen

If you are planning on completing the full IB Diploma Programme:

  • Your world language course cannot be a language you are already fluent in Example: if you are fluent in Spanish, select French

Fluency includes: reading, writing, and speaking

  • You will need to complete through Algebra 2 by the end of 10th grade
    • Example: 9th graders starting in Algebra 1 will need to take both Geometry and Algebra 2 during 10th grade or over the summer

*Top student-to-counselor ratio in the state*

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Do you still remember the attributed of the IB Learner Profile?

IB students are much more than the academics that they engage in.

GET INVOLVED & STRIVE TO BE A BALANCE LEARNER/HUMAN.

  • Athletics, Clubs, Performing Arts, etc.
  • Check out NHS website (Academics tab) to learn more about what might appeal to you beyond your academic pathway.
  • IB DP expects that students balance their academic pursuits through the CAS component.

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IB Buses

2024-25

Free transportation is provided for all NPIB and IB DP students who otherwise would not be able to experience the IB education. We are the only high school in SVVSD that offers this amazing opportunity.

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Dr. Elzbieta Towlen- The Head of IB DP

towlen_elzbieta@svvsd.org

X (formelry Twitter) @SVVSD_NHS_IB

Gina Black- Administrative Assistant �black_gina@svvsd.org

NHS Phone: 303 - 652 2550

NHS IB Fax: 303 - 652 1592�

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References: