NORTH HILLS PREPARATORY Revised: 07 Feb 2012 2011 IB COURSE PLANNING GUIDE GRADES 8 THROUGH 12 Class of 2014 Each Group Table listed below represents a course taken in one period out of an eight period schedule. Most courses are a full year in length, and only one full-year course may be taken in a period. o When an option is available between honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or regular-level courses, it is strongly suggested that students take honors or Advanced placement courses in order to prepare for IB Diploma Candidacy. AP and IB Diploma courses are the most advanced in the school, and so taking less than the most advanced courses in preparation will not provide the ideal foundation for IB Diploma courses, nor will taking regular-level courses prove an adequate predictor as to a student s readiness for IB Diploma coursework. Even if students receive a mark of B in advanced-level coursework, we see this as preferable to an A in regular-level coursework, as by taking advanced-level coursework the students are demonstrating that they are preparing themselves for IB Diploma coursework by challenging themselves. o Some alternate paths other than those shown on the tables on the following pages are available, but are not shown here as they should only be taken under the advisement of a North Hills IB Diploma Coordinator. Students wishing to undergo IB Diploma coursework at North Hills Preparatory must be candidates for the IB Diploma. As such, they may not take individual IB courses in only one or a few of the Groups for the certificate only, but must take an IB Diploma course in each of the Groups. IB Diploma Candidates take seven different IB courses: o One in each Group 1 through 5 o One in Group 6 or a second from Group 2, 3, or 4 o Theory of Knowledge (in addition to this course, students also complete the Extended Essay and 150 Creativity, Action, and Service Hours) At least three of these courses must be taken at Higher Level. Higher Level courses cover the junior and the senior years. If desired, up to four courses may be taken at Higher Level. In many cases the junior year of an HL course covers AP in addition to IB curriculum, enabling students to take the AP exam in that subject at the end of the junior year. The remaining three courses are taken at Standard Level (or two Standard Level courses, if four Higher Level courses are taken).
Whether taken at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL), IB courses are two years in length, with the IB examination taken at the end of the senior year. As an exception to this general rule, however, North Hills allows students to take one IB Standard Level (SL) course the junior year, provided that students have completed the minimum pre-requisite for that course. If students exercising this option do not receive a grade of at least a 4 on the IB exam in May of the junior year, however, they will need to continue taking that course the senior year and retake the IB exam in May of the senior year. Theory of Knowledge is taken at the end of the junior year and the beginning of the senior year. It is intended to tie the courses of all the groups together by examining the differing approaches to knowing utilized in each discipline. GROUP 1 : Language A Language Arts-8 English I English II IB English HL1 (AP Eng. Lang) IB English HL2 (English IV) Note: English Standard Level (SL) is an option only if recommended by the IB English teacher and the student is strong in three other HL courses. A student taking English SL would complete the same coursework as English HL students, but would take a somewhat less rigorous IB exam. GROUP 2: Language B FRENCH IB French HL1 (IB French IV) IB French HL2 French I French II French III IB French SL 1 (IB French IV) IB French SL2 N/A French I French II IB French SL1 (French III Honors*) IB French SL2 N/A N/A N/A IB French ab initio 1 (French I) IB French ab initio 2 (French II or French III) SPANISH IB Spanish HL1 (IB Span IV) IB Spanish HL2 Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III IB Spanish SL1 (IB Spanish IV) IB Spanish SL2 N/A Spanish I Spanish II IB Spanish SL1 (Spanish III) IB Spanish SL2 N/A N/A N/A IB Spanish ab inito 1 IB Spanish ab initio 2 (Spanish I) (Spanish II or Spanish III) Note: Foreign language ab initio is available for students who have taken no French or Spanish or only an introductory year prior to the junior year. Note: Higher Level foreign language is only available upon recommendation by the level III teacher.
GROUP 3: Individuals and Societies HISTORY AP World History IB History HL2: IB History HL1: Americas 20 th Century World Topics & World History (AP US History) US History 8 Global Studies History of Americas AP World History IB History SL1: AP US History IB History SL: 20 th Century World History IB History SL1: US History World Topics Note: Although IB History Standard Level is an option, it is not recommended due to state of Texas graduation requirements. From 2005-2011, almost all North Hills IB Diploma candidates have taken History at Higher Level, with an extremely high rate of success overall (99% scoring 4 or higher on IB exam). PSYCHOLOGY N/A N/A N/A IB Psychology SL1 (AP Psychology) IB Psychology SL2 Note: Because of state of Texas graduation requirements, it is not recommended that IB Psychology be taken in place of IB History. Instead it is taken as a Group 6 elective.
GROUP 4: Experimental Sciences CORE SCIENCE CURRICULUM Science 8 Biology I Chemistry I Physics I N/A Note: All North Hills Preparatory students must take the core science curriculum shown above, in addition to any IB Diploma experimental science coursework they undergo. BIOLOGY IB Biology HL1 (AP Biology) Core & Core Physics I IB Biology HL2 Note: Students taking IB Biology must take the core Physics requirement as well their junior year. This will fill the eighth period. Note: Students wishing to sit for the IB Biology SL exam would undergo the same coursework the junior and senior year as those sitting for the HL exam, but the exam itself is somewhat less rigorous. CHEMISTRY IB Chemistry HL1 Core (AP Chemistry) & Core Physics I IB Chemistry HL2 Note: Students taking IB Chemistry must take the core Physics requirement as well their junior year. This will fill the eighth period. Note: Students wishing to sit for the IB Chemistry SL exam would undergo the same coursework the junior and senior year as those sitting for the HL exam, but the exam itself is somewhat less rigorous. ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS Core Core Physics I IB Environmental Systems SL Note: IB Environmental Systems is one of the few IB Diploma courses offered at North Hills where preparatory coursework is not required during the junior year. This enables students to take the core Physics requirement the junior year, leaving the eighth period free for a study hall or an elective course. PHYSICS Core IB Physics SL1 (Physics I) IB Physics SL2 Note: IB Physics satisfies the core Physics requirement, leaving the eighth period free for a study hall or an elective course.
GROUP 5: Mathematics MATHEMATICAL STUDIES IB Math Studies SL1 (AP Statistics) IB Math Studies SL2 IB Math Studies SL1 Algebra I Geometry Algebra II (Pre-Calculus) IB Math Studies SL2 AP Statistics or Pre-Calculus (requires IB Coord Approval) IB Math Studies SL1 (AP Statistics) IB Math Studies SL2 Geometry & Algebra II IB Math Studies SL1 Pre-Algebra Algebra I taken concurrently (Pre-Calculus) IB Math Studies SL2 AP Statistics or Pre-Calculus (requires IB Coord Approval) IB Math Studies SL1 Pre-Algebra Algebra I Geometry IB Math Studies SL2 (Algebra II*) Note: Though, like all IB courses, IB Mathematical Studies is rigorous, it is the least challenging of the IB mathematics courses. IB Mathematical Studies SL is for students who may not choose to pursue a career in mathematics or the experimental sciences. Its course of study emphasizes the application of mathematics in everyday situations. Mathematical concepts examined include probability and statistics, families of functions, sets and logic, geometry and trigonometry, introductory differential calculus, and financial mathematics. *Algebra II is the minimum pre-requisite for IB Math Studies SL. Students who have taken AP Statistics or Pre-Calculus will be best prepared for IB Math Studies, but students who have taken only Algebra II can be successful in Math Studies SL2 if they are diligent. With IB Coordinator approval, students who have taken Algebra II can take IB Math Studies SL2 during the junior year. MATHEMATICS SL IB Math SL1 Geometry Algebra II Honors Pre-Calculus (AP Calculus AB) IB Mathematics SL2 IB Math SL1 Algebra I Geometry Algebra II (Pre-Calculus) Note: IB Mathematics SL is designed for students with a sound and advanced math background. IB Mathematics SL prepares students for a university course of study that requires a solid foundation in mathematics. Examples of courses requiring such a background include experimental sciences such as chemistry, social sciences such as economics and psychology, and courses in finance and business administration. Mathematical concepts explored include functions and equations, circular functions and trigonometry, matrices, vectors, statistics and probability, and differential and integral calculus. These topics are similar to those in Math Studies SL, but are explored with much greater depth and rigor in Math SL. MATHEMATICS HL IB Math HL1 (AP Calculus BC) Geometry Algebra II Pre-Calculus IB Mathematics HL2 IB Math HL1 (AP Calculus AB) Note: IB Mathematics HL is the most rigorous mathematics course offered at North Hills, and should only be pursued by those with an extremely sound mathematical foundation and great facility for and interest in the subject of mathematics. This course prepares students for a university course of study that requires a solid foundation in mathematics, and often IB Math HL students specialize in mathematics at the university level, either as their major or as a component of areas of study such as physics, engineering, or technology. Mathematical concepts explored include functions and equations, circular functions and trigonometry, matrices, vectors, statistics and probability, and differential and integral calculus. These topics are similar to those in Math SL, but are explored with greater depth and rigor. In addition, students delve further into the topic of differential series and equations for the Math HL option syllabus requirement.
GROUP 6: Fine Arts and Electives For Group 6, IB Diploma candidates may take fine arts courses such as IB Music, IB Theatre Arts, or IB Visual Arts. In lieu of a fine arts course, Diploma candidates may elect to take an additional Group 2 course (an additional IB language), Group 3 course (IB Psychology), or Group 4 course (IB Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Systems, or Physics). See the Group 2-5 charts above for the pre-requisites for these courses. THEATRE ARTS N/A Theatre Arts I Theatre Arts II IB Theatre Arts HL1 IB Theatre Arts HL2 N/A N/A Theatre Arts I IB Theatre Arts SL1 (Theatre Arts II) IB Theatre Arts SL2 VISUAL ARTS N/A Art I Art II N/A N/A Art I IB Art HL1 (Art III) IB Visual Arts SL1 (Art II) IB Visual Art HL2 IB Visual Art SL2 MUSIC (currently a pilot course, and so may not be available to students in the IB class of 2014) MS Beginning or Adv Band Band I Band II Band III IB Music SL MS Choir Choir I Choir II Choir III (Plus Band or Choir)* Note: Students in IB Music SL will be scheduled in the group performance period of either Band or Choir, and will meet with the Band/Choir director for additional time to master the IB components of the course. * Students in IB Music have a choice between solo performance or group performance options. If a student chooses the group performance option, he/she will need to enroll in Band or Choir in addition to IB Music, so in essence IB Music would take up two periods the senior year.
PERIOD 7 The 7 th period should be used to take required electives, and when enrolled in the IB Diploma Program will be used for the required IB Diploma course Theory of Knowledge. The courses listed before Theory of Knowledge are not pre-requisites for IB Theory of Knowledge, but are graduation requirements that should be completed before beginning IB Diploma candidacy. As many of the electives shown on this table are a semester in length, both semesters of the year are represented on the table. 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade FALL SEMESTER Health Government IB Theory of Knowledge Technology SPRING SEMESTER Communications IB Theory of Knowledge Economics Note: The technology credit can be satisfied by several courses, such as Computer Science I or Yearbook. See the Program of Studies for technology options. Note: Government and Economics are not IB courses but are a Texas graduation requirement. Many IB Diploma candidates complete these required courses during the summer in order to gain an extra study hall. PERIOD 8 The 8 th period should be used to complete optional electives that are part of the graduation requirement. As many of the electives shown on this table are a semester in length, both semesters of the year are represented on the table. 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade FALL SEMESTER PE PE Open Open SPRING SEMESTER PE Open Open Open Note: Open periods can be used for study halls (time to complete work for other classes), or students can opt to sign up for an elective course that is not required for graduation.
NORTH HILLS PREPARATORY MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS North Hills Preparatory minimum graduation requirements are shown below. Note that an IB Diploma candidate completes more than the minimum graduation requirement. English 4 English I English II English III English IV Math 4 Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Plus one (1) (Pre-calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics) Fine Arts 2 Art, Band, Choir, Theatre (starting with 2007-08, 9 th grade students) Both credits must be in the same area. Foreign Language 3 Three (3) credits of the same Foreign Language in grades 9-12, excluding Latin and sign language. Transfer students who have studied a different foreign language may receive a waiver for the years not enrolled in the North Hills School by the Foreign Language department Chair. Health/Speech ½ ½ Health Communication Applications (Speech) PE 1 ½ Three (3) semesters Social Studies 5 World Geography (Global Studies) US History World History US Government/Economics [One (1) semester each] European History or IB History HL2: 20 th Century World Topics Science 4 Biology Chemistry Physics Plus one (1) other (AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Environmental Systems) Technology 1 BCIS, Computer Science, Desktop Publishing - Yearbook Elective 3 ½ Humanities or Theory of Knowledge (TOK) [one (1) required] (Senior Class) Extra credits in Core Subjects count towards elective requirements
EXAMPLE DIPLOMA CANDIDATE SCHEDULES Note on the schedules below that 9 th and 10 th grade schedules are very similar for most students. The only differences tend to be in the foreign language studied, the degree of acceleration in mathematics, and the specific fine arts and technology courses taken. Note below that each of the example IB Diploma candidates shown is taking from three (or four) courses at the Higher Level, and the other three (or two) at the Standard Level, for a total of six IB courses with IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) in addition. Candidate A Group / Period 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade 1 English I English II IB English HL1 (English III) IB English HL2 (English IV) 2 Spanish II Spanish III IB Spanish SL1 (Span IV) IB Spanish SL2 3 Global Studies AP World History IB History HL1 (AP US History) IB History HL2 4 Biology I Chemistry I IB Biology HL1 (AP Biology) IB Biology HL2 5 Geometry Algebra II IB Math Studies SL1 (AP Statistics) IB Math Studies SL2 6 Theatre I Theatre II IB Theatre SL1 (Theatre III) IB Theatre SL2 7 Health Communications BCIS (Technology) Government IB TOK IB TOK Economics 8 PE PE PE Open Physics Open Note: The student above is taking eight courses the junior year in order to satisfy the physics graduation requirement. Candidate B Group / Period 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade 1 English I English II IB English HL1 (English III) IB English HL2 (English IV) 2 Spanish II Spanish III IB Spanish SL1 (AP Spanish Lang.) IB Spanish SL2 3 Global Studies AP World History IB History HL1 (AP US History) IB History HL2 4 Biology I Chemistry I IB Physics SL1 (Physics I) IB Physics SL2 5 Geometry Algebra II IB Math SL1 (Pre-Calculus) IB Mathematics SL2 6 Art I Art II IB Visual Arts HL1 (Art III) IB Visual Arts HL2 7 Health Communications BCIS (Technology) Government IB TOK IB TOK Economics 8 PE PE PE Open Open Open Note: The student above is taking IB Physics in Group 4, so only seven courses need to be taken the junior year since the physics graduation requirement is satisfied. The student is also able to take IB Mathematics SL because he/she did well in Algebra II Honors and so was able to take AP Calculus AB in 11 th grade. Candidate C Group / Period 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade 1 English I English II IB English HL1 (English III) IB English HL2 (English IV) 2 Spanish I Spanish II Spanish III IB Spanish SL2 3 Global Studies AP World History IB History HL1 (AP US History) IB History HL2 4 Biology I Chemistry I IB Chemistry HL1 (AP Chemistry) IB Chemistry HL2 5 Algebra II Pre-Calculus IB Math HL1 (AP Calculus BC) IB Mathematics HL2 6 Choir I Choir II IB Psychology SL1 (AP Psych.) IB Psychology SL2 7 Health Communications BCIS (Technology) Government IB TOK IB TOK Economics 8 PE PE PE Open Physics Honors Open Note: The student above is taking IB Psychology for Group 6 instead of a fine arts class (fine arts classes were taken in 9 th & 10 th grade in order to satisfy the graduation requirement). Additional courses from Groups 2, 3, or 4, can be taken in Group 6 instead of a fine arts class. The student is in IB Mathematics HL because he/she was on an accelerated math track, having taken AP Calculus AB in 10 th grade.
QUESTIONS? Contact Charles Ryder IB Diploma Coordinator The North Hills Preparatory School cryder@uplifteducation.org (972) 501-0645 x3531