Washington-Lee High School An IB World School Since 1996 W-L Pre-IB Application for Rising 9 th and 10 th Grade Transfer Students Application Deadline: January 22, 2016, at 4 PM February 5, 2016 at 4 PM What is W-L Pre-IB? The W-L Pre-IB Program prepares students for the IB Diploma Program not only in terms of academics, but also in terms of students attitudes about, and approaches toward, learning and life. IB encourages students to develop independence of thought, creativity, inquiry skills, open-mindedness, and an ability to think critically and reflectively. W-L Pre-IB classes will help students develop these ways of learning in grades 9-10 while encouraging individual students to see themselves as part of a smaller learning community. Pre-IB Course of Studies To participate in W-L s Pre-IB Program, students must be enrolled in various core academic courses in grades 9-10. 9 th Grade 10 th Grade English: Intensified English 9 English: Intensified English 10 History: Intensified World History or AP World History History: AP Government* Foreign Language: Spanish III, French III, Foreign Language: Spanish IV, French IV, Chinese III or Latin III Chinese IV or Latin IV Science: Intensified Biology Science: Intensified Chemistry Math: Geometry or Algebra II, Intensified Math: Algebra II, Intensified or higher P.E./Health I P.E./Health II Elective Elective Note: *AP Government is a required course for admitted transfers. Intensified courses are strongly recommended. 1
Application Process All 9th and 10th graders at Washington-Lee are considered "Pre-IB" students. Therefore, if Washington-Lee is your neighborhood school, you do not need to submit a Pre-IB application. Transfer students interested in participating in the W-L Pre-IB Program must submit a Pre-IB application, cumulative transcript, and APS pupil transfer application to the W-L IB office by 4 PM on January 22, 2016 February 5, 2016. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Prerequisites for W-L Pre-IB Prerequisites for W-L Pre-IB include the following: Algebra I current enrollment in Algebra I or greater in grade 8 Spanish II, French II, Chinese II, or Latin II current enrollment in grade 8 Strong grades (A s and B s) in all subjects Selection Process An admissions committee scores each student s application using a rubric which incorporates the abovementioned prerequisites and the student s short-answer question. Applicants are then ranked according to their score. Any student that scores an 11 or higher, out of a possible 15 points, is deemed qualified for acceptance. The School Board has capped the number of IB transfers (Pre-IB and IB Diploma) at 55 for the 2016-2017 school year. If the number of qualified transfers exceeds the number of available transfer positions, a random, double-blind lottery will be conducted by the Superintendent s Office to determine which students are selected. The remaining students will be placed on a waiting list of alternates to be considered in the event that a student who is offered a position in the program chooses not to accept. As space becomes available, admission will be offered to students on the waiting list in the order established by the lottery. When a student on the waiting list is eligible to fill a vacancy in an existing class, the IB Coordinator will contact the family and invite them to enroll their child. Individual applicants will be notified in writing by January 29, 2016 February 15, 2016. Transfer Requirements Students who receive an IB transfer must enroll in AP Government in Grade 10 and enroll and complete three or more IB courses in both Grades 11 and 12. Students not meeting these requirements will return to their home school to complete their high school education. Frequently Asked Questions Q: How do you evaluate each applicant? A: The admissions committee looks at end of year grades for 6 th, 7 th and first quarter only for 8 th grade. No other grades or test results are used for admission. Q: Do I need to submit teacher recommendations or SOL scores? A: No. Q: If I am accepted as a W-L Pre-IB student, am I automatically accepted into the full IB Diploma Program? A: No. All students must re-apply in grade 10 to participate in the full IB Diploma Program. Q: Can I shadow a student or visit W-L during school hours? A: Shadowing in not permitted during school hours. Families will have an opportunity to tour W-L after each High School Information session. 2
DETACH THE FOLLOWING FORMS & SUBMIT TO THE IB OFFICE BY FEBRUARY 5, 2016 4 PM 3
International Baccalaureate Program Washington-Lee High School * 1301 N. Stafford Street * Arlington, VA 22201 W-L Pre-IB Application for Rising 9 th and 10 th Grade Transfer Students Application Deadline: February 5, 2016. Please submit this application, along with a cumulative transcript, and APS pupil transfer application to the IB office, room 1030. Please print clearly. Student s Name Last First Middle Address Street (number and name) City Zip Code Current middle school Home high school Did you fill out a transfer form? _ Yes _ No Your Middle School Guidance Counselor s Name Parent(s) name Parent s daytime phone_ Parent s email address Student s email address _ By signing this application, I am aware that acceptance into W-L Pre-IB does not guarantee admission into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Permission is granted to the W-L Pre-IB application committee to review the student s transcript. This record is held in strict confidence and will only be seen by school personnel involved with the application. Parent signature Date _ Student signature Date _ 4
Short Answer Question (REQUIRED) Directions: In 200 words or less, please answer the following question in the space provided or attach an additional page, if necessary. Your response can be handwritten or typed. What do you see as the greatest challenge(s) of high school? How do you expect to meet this challenge? Print student name Student Signature _ 5
W-LL Pre-IB Application Checklist To ensure that your application will be reviewed as quickly as possible, please do the following: Answer all questions on the application. Sign and date Pre-IB and APS Pupil Transfer applications (parent and student). Obtain a cumulative transcript from your middle school counseling office. Transcript must include first quarter grades. Parents of transfer applicants are encouraged to attend one High School Information session. Place all paperwork in a manila envelope and the write applicant s name on the upper righthand corner. Submit a complete application packet to the IB office, room 1030, by 4 PM on February 5, 2016. International Baccalaureate Program Washington-Lee High School 1301 N. Stafford Street Arlington, VA 22201 (p) 703-228-6234 6