Diploma Programme The unique benefits of the DP
Organization: What is the IB mission? The IB is a not-for-profit foundation, motivated by its educational mission, focused on the student. Mission 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. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. Legal status The IB is a non-profit making Swiss Foundation registered in 1968. The activities of the organization are determined by an Act of Foundation approved by the Swiss authorities. Further resources: The Annual Review including accounts is available on www.ibo.org. Page 2
Programmes : What is the Learner Profile? It s the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21 st century. IB learners strive to be: Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the IB continuum of international education: these are values that should infuse all elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the culture and ethos of all IB World Schools. IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge. Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective Video Page 3
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? The curriculum contains six subject groups and a core of three parts. DP Diploma Programme The IB Learner Profile and the core are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Programme. Three parts of the core: Extended Essay (EE), Creativity, Action and Service Project (CAS), and Theories of Knowledge Course (TOK), Page 4
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? There are three core requirements The extended essay: 4,000 words Offers the opportunity to investigate a research question of individual interest Familiarises students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university (Inquiry Skills course in 9 th grade) Fall Junior year to Fall Senior year Alliance with JCC Page 5
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? Creativity, action and service (CAS): Encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service Education outside the classroom, approximately 150 hours over 18 consecutive months Development of the learner profile through reflection Project Page 6
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? Theory of Knowledge: Interdisciplinary Explores the nature of knowledge across disciplines Encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives 7 th course of curriculum TOK paper Thinking about Thinking Page 7
Contents: The curriculum contains six subject groups. Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature Group 2: Language Acquisition Group 3: Individuals and Societies Group 4: Sciences Group 5: Mathematics Group 6: The Arts Page 8
Example Registration for Class of 2018 IB Subject Group Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Group 1: English Literature Group 2: Language B Spanish Group 3: Individuals and Societies Group 4: Experimental Sciences Group 5: Mathematics and Computer Science Group 6: Arts and Electives Int. Honors Essentials (with Inquiry Skills) and Honors English I Spanish I Honors World History and Honors Civics and Economics Honors Environmental Science Math I and/or Math II None Honors English II Spanish II and Honors Spanish III AP US History with AP Test in May Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry Math III or Precalculus None IB English III HL IB Spanish B SL or Spanish ab initio SL IB History of the Americas HL IB Env. Sys. SL or IB Chemistry SL or IB Bio. HL IB Mathematics SL or HL (must have Precalculus for HL) IB Visual Arts HL or IB Science #2 or IB online ITGS HL IB English IV HL optional AP Test in May IB Spanish B SL or Spanish ab initio SL IB 20 th Century History HL IB Env. Sys. SL or IB Chemistry SL or IB Bio. HL IB Mathematics SL or HL IB Visual Arts HL or IB Science #2 or IB online ITGS HL SSS Electives/Other Courses Health and Physical Education or Band** Band** TOK and Study Hall/Band Elective Two Non-IB Electives
What does SSS offer its IB Students? Academic Internationally Rigorous Curriculum TOK/EE Study Hall/Tutorials IB/AP Assessments and Exams College Level Critical Thinking and Research Small Class Sizes Extra-Curricular Traditional High School Spirit and Leadership Opportunities Clubs Interact, Pep, HOSA, etc. Organizations SGA, YAG, NHS, etc. Sports Field Trips CAS Project Page 10
Advanced Placement OR International Baccalaureate? Advanced Placement Single Semester Courses, many require an Honors Prerequisite course One External Assessment in May: 55 Multiple Choice questions, 3 essays Graduation Project offered within English JCS Grad. Project in Honors English courses IB Diploma Programme (6) Two-year Courses on A/B Schedule and TOK Varied Assessments Continuous Practice in College Level Reading, Critical Thinking, Writing and Speaking JCS Graduation Project requirement fulfilled by CAS and EE AP and IB offer the same weighted GPA quality points. Page 11
Just a few to get you started UNC Chapel Hill NC State AP or IB Campbell AP or IB Duke Page 12
University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by universities? The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world s leading universities. The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the world to gain recognition for the IB diploma: Direct online access for university admissions officers and government officials to syllabuses and recent examination papers A database of university admission policies on www.ibo.org Recognition in over 100 countries Recognition by over 2,000 universities Some universities offer scholarships and advanced placement for IB students Students applying to a particular university can access their grades directly from the IB s secure web site. Page 13
Philosophy: What is the IB philosophy? Through high quality education we create a better world. Idealistic, peace promoting Culturally aware Quality, standards University recognition & challenge International and Baccalaureate complementing opposites that make the IB. Page 14
Interested in IB? What do you do next? Visit ibo.org for a more thorough understanding. Applications are available on Smithfield-Selma High School s website; print out, complete, send or fax to SSS by March 15 th. Applications will be reviewed, interviews conducted if necessary, and students will be informed of decisions by April 30 th. Students who wish to participate in the IB DP not currently assigned to SSS must complete reassignment request and submit it to SSS Principal, Michael Taylor. All students accepted into the program will enter ninth grade at SSS and begin taking preparatory courses in the fall of 2014. Page 15