Welcome to I.B. Information for Grade 9 Parents and Students
IB Mission Statement 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 Learner Profile
Three HL subjects are studied at higher level - 240 hours Three SL subjects are studied at standard level - 150 hours All three parts of the core extended essay, theory of knowledge and creativity, action, service are compulsory and are central to the philosophy of the Diploma programme. IB Hexagon
IB Courses at Western Group 1: English HL Group 2: Spanish: B or ab initio SL French: French B SL or HL, French ab initio (or Chinese school) Group 3: History of Europe HL, Philosophy SL Group 4: Biology SL/HL, Chemistry HL, Physics SL Group 5: Math SL/HL, or Math Studies SL Group 6: Visual Art HL (HL = higher level SL = standard level)
Full vs. Partial IB Full IB Diploma Student (1 reg. fee, 6 exam fees) Must take 6 IB courses (3-4HL/2-3SL) Groups 1-5 are mandatory but group 6 can be replaced by a second course in another area (ie. language, science, philosophy) Must complete EE, ToK, and CAS over grade 11 and 12 May qualify for automatic scholarships, early entrance to university Bilingual diploma possible Partial IB (IB Courses Student) Must complete min. 2 IB courses to the exam level If these exams are written in different years, the IB registration fee must be paid twice You may drop from full IB to partial IB (only at the end of courses) *fees are only paid in exam years (grade 11 and / or 12)
Other Benefits of the full IB Programme Children s neural connections are still being pruned until they are 20 years old. A broad based education will exercise parts of the brain that would otherwise shrink with disuse. If something is hard (or not your favourite class) you need to work that part of your brain extra hard before age 20 to maximize its potential for the rest of your LIFE.
Misconceptions of IB It is only for gifted students. I can t be well-rounded in IB because I won t have any time for outside interests. The homework is WAY more than the regular program. There is no flexibility. IB is only for people who want to go to school overseas. IB and AP are the same.
What full IB students don t normally have time for: CTS in grade 10 pre-ib year Phys-Ed after grade 10 Other options that are not offered outside the timetable the way that band, choir, and art can be offered (Non-IB have 3 options.) 3 IB Sciences can not be taken by full IB students. CALM is usually taken on-line during grade 11
Potential French Immersion Plan Group Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 IB Exams 1 English 10 preib English 20 IB English 30 IB & 35 IB Eng A1 HL 2 FLA 10 preib & Spanish 10 preib or Spanish 20IB* FLA 20 IB Spanish 20 IB or Spanish 30IB FLA 30 IB Spanish 30 IB or Spanish 31IB French B HL Span ab SL or Span B SL 3 Social 10F preib Social 20F IB Social 30F IB & 35F IB History HL (for bilingual IB diploma) 4 Science 10 preib Biology 20 IB& 30 IB (Optional Bio 35 IB) Biology SL 5 Math 10F preib & Math 20F IB Math 30F IB& Math 31F IB Math SL (or Math Studies SL) Phys-Ed 10 Two options (eg. may finish Math, CALM, take Spanish 31 IB or a 2 nd Science)
Potential Double Languages Plan Group Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 IB Exams 1 English 10 preib English 20 IB English 30 IB & 35 IB Eng A1 HL 2 French 10 preib or French 20 IB * & Spanish 10 preib or Spanish 20IB* French 20 IB or French 30 IB & Spanish 20 IB or Spanish 30IB French 30 IB or French 31 IB & Spanish 30 IB or Spanish 31IB French ab SL French B SL & Span ab SL Span B SL 3 Social 10 preib Social 20 IB Social 30 IB & 35 IB History HL 4 Science 10 preib Biology 20 IB& 30 IB Biology 35 Biology HL 5 Math 10 preib & Math 20 IB Math 30 IB& Math 31 IB Math SL (or Math Studies SL) Phys-Ed 10 One option
Potential Plan with Visual Arts Group Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 IB Exams 1 English 10 preib English 20 IB English 30 IB & 35 IB Eng A1 HL 2 Language 10 pre-ib (or 20 IB with experience) Language 20 IB (or 30 IB) Language 30 IB (or 31 IB) French SL or Spanish SL (ab or B) 3 Social 10 preib Social 20 IB Social 30 IB & 35 IB History HL 4 Science 10 preib Biology 20 IB& 30 IB (Biology 35) Biology SL (or HL) 5 Math 10 preib & Math 20 IB Math 30 IB& Math 31 IB Math SL or Math Studies 6 Art 10 pre-ib Visual Art 20 IB Visual Art 30 IB & Art 31 IB Visual Arts HL Phys-Ed 10
Potential Plan for a Group 3 (Individuals and Societies) Focus Group Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 IB Exams 1 English 10 preib English 20 IB English 30 IB & 35 IB 2 Language 10 pre-ib Language 20 IB Language 30 IB (or 20 IB with (or 30 IB) (or 31 IB) experience) 3 Social 10 preib Social 20 IB & Philosophy 20/ 30IB 4 Science 10 preib & Chem 20IB 5 Math 10 preib & Math 20 IB Phys-Ed 10 Chem 25 IB or Bio20 IB& 30 IB or Physics 20 IB & 30 IB Math 30 IB SL& Math 31 IB SL OR Math 30 IB HL & Math 31 IB HL Social 30 IB & 35 IB Chem 35 IB & Chem 30 IB Or Biology 35 IB Math 35 IB One option Eng A1 HL French SL or Spanish SL (ab or B) History HL & Philosophy SL Chemistry HL or Physics SL or Biology SL (or Bio HL) Math SL (or Math Studies SL) OR Math HL
Potential Math / Science Focus Group Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 IB Exams 1 English 10 preib English 20 IB English 30 IB & 35 IB Eng A1 HL 2 French 10 preib or French 20 IB & Spanish 10 preib or Spanish 20IB* French 20 IB or French 30 IB & Spanish 20 IB or Spanish 30IB French 30 IB or French 31 IB & Spanish 30 IB or Spanish 31IB 3 Social 10 preib Social 20 IB Social 30 IB & 35 IB or **Philosophy 20 / 30IB 4 Science 10 preib & Chem 20IB Chem 25 IB & Bio20 IB& 30 IB or Physics 20 IB / 30 IB Chem 35 IB & Chem 30 IB (Biology 35 IB) French ab SL French B SL & Span ab SL Span B SL History HL or Philosophy SL Chemistry HL & Physics SL or Biology SL or Bio HL 5 Math 10 preib & Math 20 IB Math 30 IB SL& Math 31 IB SL OR Math 30 IB HL & Math 31 IB HL Phys-Ed 10 (Math 35 IB) One option (could be French 31IB, Spanish 31IB, CALM, HL Math or HL Bio) Math SL (or Math Studies SL) OR Math HL
Application Process Students apply to CBE area IB school for their primary residence with a full application (link from our website or go to main CBE website) by January 13 th. If you live in our IB area but attend a private school, charter school, or a separate school you may apply directly to Western. If you live outside of Calgary you may apply directly to Western.
Application Evaluation All IB schools use the same system to rank applications based on marks, extracurricular activities, well-roundedness, study habits, and global perspective. Results letters are sent by mid-february Acceptance letters get sent with information on registration night (March), and dates for the Math and Science diagnostic tests (May).
University Recognition of IB Most universities have benefits for IB grads University of Alberta Counts a 7 as a 98% for admission. Gives advanced credit for HL and some SL classes University of Calgary Gives advanced credit for HL *Both give credit for full IB diplomas*
Extended Essay 4000 word in-depth original research paper on a topic of your choice. You have a teacher-supervisor but all the ideas and work is yours. A significant portion of your reading / preparation is done the summer before grade 12.
Theory of Knowledge Unique to I.B. 100 hour seminar course that integrates all groups. Critically examines how knowledge is acquired in different disciplines and our ways of knowing.
Creativity Action - Service Extra-curricular component of I.B. Creativity is artistic or creative Action is physical or healthy Service is volunteering or service learning
What I.B. Students have said Grade 11 is the hardest year. Try full I.B. to keep your options open. First year university was a piece of cake. Don t procrastinate!