Myers Park High School International Baccalaureate Program Empowering Students to Change the World! What is IB? Founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) offers high quality programs of international education to a worldwide community of schools. The IB 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 IB works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. Myers Park offers two unique IB programs, the Middle Years Program (IB MYP) for freshmen and sophomores and the Diploma Program (IB DP) for juniors and seniors. These programs complement each other to give students a unique educational environment that will allow them to develop academically, socially, and emotionally. With an emphasis on certain core principles, the IB programs at Myers Park help students see their education in the context of how they live their lives and how they interact with the world around them. Adherence to these core principles of rigor in the classroom, collaborative and cross-cultural curriculum, and an internationallyminded approach to understanding course content have helped the International Baccalaureate Organization become a global leader in education. In 1992, Myers Park became the first public school in North Carolina to offer the IB Diploma Program, and the first school (public or private) in the United States to offer the Middle Years Program. Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Program have the opportunity to earn an internationally recognized IB Diploma in addition their Myers Park diploma.
IB Students (DP and MYP) Are Given a Unique Education They will: be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning take part in a program of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking colleges and universities around the world become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world Middle Years Program (IB MYP) for Freshmen and Sophomores The IB MYP curriculum comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for freshmen and sophomores. Interdisciplinary learning supports students to understand bodies of knowledge from two or more disciplines or subject groups, in order to integrate them and create new understandings. The IB MYP encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. Students who complete the IB MYP are well-prepared to undertake the IB Diploma Program. Subject Groups 9th Grade-IB MYP 10th Grade-IB MYP English- Group 1 English I IB MYP Required English II IB MYP Required Foreign Lang- Group 2 French, German, Latin, or Spanish IB MYP options: Levels I and II or Level II and Level III or Level III (immersion only) French, German, Latin, or Spanish IB MYP options: (1) Levels II and III or (2) Level III or (3) IB IV Social Studies- Group 3 World History IB MYP Required Civics and Econ IB MYP Required Sciences- Group 4 Math- Group 5 Math HL track students will take AP Calculus AB as sophomores. Biology IB MYP Required and Earth/Envir Science IBMYP or either AP Environmental Science in grades 11 or 12 or IB Environmental Systems and Societies I & II grades 11 and 12. Common Core Math II IB MYP or higher. Students, who don t complete Level I in 8 th grade, take Common Core Math I & II. Chemistry IB MYP Required Physics IB MYP is Optional but HIGHLY recommended. MUST complete Common Core Math III IB MYP to enter the IB Diploma Program in grade 11. Arts & Electives- Group 6 Earth/Envir Science IB MYP or an elective or a course needed to meet program requirements. Physics IB MYP or an elective or a course needed to meet program requirements. Elective or requirement IB MYP Health/PE Required IB MYP (e.g. Art) or non IB MYP Elective or requirement IB MYP (e.g. Art) or non IB MYP IB MYP or non IB MYP Students who plan to take IB Art or IB Photo in the IB Diploma Program should take Art IB MYP. Those who plan to take IB Theatre should take Drama IB MYP. Freshmen must complete 35 hours of community service. Sophomores must complete 40 hours of community service and complete a Personal Project.
Assessment (IB MYP) Teachers organize continuous assessment over the course of the program according to specified assessment criteria that correspond to the objectives of each subject group. Regular school assessment and reporting play a major role: in the students' and parents' understanding of the objectives and assessment criteria in the students' preparation for final assessment in the development of the curriculum according to the principles of the program. Teachers are responsible for structuring varied and valid assessment tasks (including tests and examinations) that will allow students to demonstrate achievement according to the objectives for each subject group. These include: open-ended, problem-solving activities investigations organized debates hands-on experimentation analysis and reflection Teachers also make use of quantitative and qualitative assessment strategies and tools that provide opportunities for peer- and self-assessment. The recording and reporting of individual levels of achievement are organized in ways that provide students with detailed feedback on their progress as it relates to the assessment criteria for each subject group. Personal Project In the final year of the Middle Years Program (10 th grade), each student completes a Personal Project. The Personal Project is a significant piece of work that is the product of the student's own initiative and creativity. It is assessed by teachers against a set of IB assessment criteria. Students are expected to choose their project, which can take many forms, and take the process through to completion under the supervision of a teacher in the school. This involves: planning research a high degree of personal reflection. As students become involved in the self-initiated and self-directed learning process, they will find it easier to construct in-depth knowledge on their topic, and develop an understanding of themselves as learners.
Diploma Program (IB DP) for Juniors and Seniors IB DP courses are in a word, rigorous! Courses are designed for highly motivated students seeking extra challenges and involvement in their education beyond a typical high school classroom and curriculum. The program encourages both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies, and in their personal development. The program aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically. The DP curriculum consists of six subject groups and the DP core, comprised of a course called Theory of Knowledge (TOK); Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS); and the Extended Essay, an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. The interdisciplinary Theory of Knowledge course is designed to develop a coherent approach to learning that transcends and unifies the academic areas and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives. Creativity, Action, Service involves students in a range of activities that take place alongside their academic studies. The Extended Essay provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research on a topic of choice, under the guidance of a supervisor. Through the DP core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research, and undertake a project that often involves community service. A strong and growing body of research indicates that an International Baccalaureate (IB) education is highly beneficial to students. The benefits of an IB education are especially strong when it comes to higher education. Research suggests that IB students are more confident than their peers in using critical thinking skills, and are more prepared for demanding coursework. For example, IB students are more likely than their peers to complete their undergraduate degrees and pursue graduate work. They are also more likely to be engaged in various aspects of college or university life: student leadership activities working with university faculty on research projects tutoring other students taking part in voluntary community service completing internships. Students choose courses from the following subject groups: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts. Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts. Students will take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding, and skills at higher level. Each student takes at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level. The IB recommends a minimum of 240 hours of instructional time for HL courses and 150 hours for SL courses.
IB Diploma Courses Currently Available at Myers Park Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature IB English Group 2: Language Acquisition IB French IB German IB Latin IB Spanish Group 3: Individuals and Societies IB Business IB Economics IB Geography IB History of the Americas IB Philosophy IB Psychology Group 4: Sciences IB Biology IB Chemistry IB Environmental Systems and Societies IB Physics Group 5: Mathematics IB Higher Level IB Math Studies SL IB Studies SL Group 6: The Arts IB Art IB Film IB Photo IB Theatre Please read the IB Four Year Plan for details (e.g. which courses are offered SL and HL)
Assessment (IB DP) The assessments in every IB subject are divided between Internal Assessments and External Assessments. Internal Assessments are graded by the classroom teacher. Student samples are sent to, and moderated by, an external examiner. External Assessment: all work is sent to an IB examiner to grade independently of the classroom teacher. How Does a Student Achieve an IB Diploma? The IB Diploma is awarded based on the compilation of points earned on a number of criteria during grades 11 and 12. The maximum score is 45. Every IB subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7. That score is a composite of the various internal and external assessments. In addition to the possible 42 subject area points (6 courses x 7 points), IB also provides a way to earn up to 3 Bonus points using a matrix consisting of a student s grade in the Theory of Knowledge course and the Extended Essay grade. To earn the IB Diploma, a student must earn a total of at least 24 points in all 6 IB subject areas, do well on the Extended Essay and TOK course, and complete all CAS hours and internal/ external assessments. Students who earn 24 points do not automatically receive the IB diploma. There are certain failing conditions (e.g. CAS requirements were not met; earned a 1 in any subject; earned a grade of 2 in a higher level subject; didn t earn at least 9 points on standard level subjects, didn t earn 12 points on higher level subjects.) Differences between the Advanced Placement (AP) and (IB) Diploma Program Advanced Placement National Standard of Excellence Policies are determined by national educators. College Level Courses Students generally take AP exams in areas of strength Students do not have to be enrolled in an authorized school Exams are graded externally through College Board and student marks assigned Exams based on specific content of courses Oral exam in foreign language All teachers are specially trained College credit possible No other requirements IB Diploma International Standard of Excellence Policies determined by internal educators. College Level Courses Six exams in six subjects are required for the IB Diploma Students must prepare in all areas: strengths as well as weaknesses Students must be enrolled in an authorized IB School Scores include teacher assessments as well as external assessments constructed and graded by educators from throughout the world Exams based on broad general understanding of concepts and fundamental themes. Exam questions emphasize essay writing. Oral assessments in English, foreign language, and other disciplines All teachers are specially trained College credit possible Additional requirements: CAS, Extended Essay, and the Theory of Knowledge course For additional information, please contact Dr. Ron Thomas, IB Coordinator R.Thomas@cms.k12.nc.us