|
The program of studies for the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a two year sequence for students in their final two years of High School. It is a challenging program for students with different abilities and aptitudes who come from varying educational backgrounds and who have differing educational and occupational ambitions.
This is the most demanding option for our students. Parents (P) and students (S) should be able to honestly answer the following questions:
(P) My child keeps up with their assignments independently. (S) I keep up with my assignments independently.
(P) My child enjoys challenging school work. (S) I enjoy challenging school work. (P) My child is willing to regularly spend up to 3 hours per night on school work. (S) I am willing to regularly spend up to 3 hours per night on school work. (P) My child independently does school work on weekends and holidays. (S) I independently do school work on weekends and holidays. IB Diploma Requirements: 1. Every student must take 6 courses, one from each subject group.
For the 2008 – 2009 School Year the IB subjects offered are:
Group 1 Language A - English Group 2 Language B - French B, French ab initio Group 3 Humanities: Individuals and Societies - History Group 4 Experimental Sciences - Biology, Physics Group 5 Mathematics - Mathematical Studies Group 6 The Arts - Visual Arts, Information Technology
2. At least three courses, and not more than 4, must be taken at the higher level.
3. Students must submit an extended essay with a maximum of 4,000 words.
4. Students must successfully complete the critical thinking course Theory of Knowledge (TOK).
5. Students must complete and document a minimum of 150 hours of CAS (Community, Action, Service).
6. The IB Diploma culminates in an examination period at the end of the two years program, and final grades are based on both exams and coursework completed throughout the two-year period. Students must complete the required coursework and sit exams in each of their 6 subjects, as well as completing the additional requirements. Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) and 7 (maximum), with 3 generally considered to be a passing grade.
7. To be awarded the IB Diploma a student must achieve an overall score of 24 points. The maximum diploma point score is 45. TOK and the extended essay contribute to the overall score through a matrix system which awards up to three points based on the candidate's combined performance.
It is possible to compensate a grade of below 4 with one higher than 4 in another subject A low grade in a HL subject cannot, however, be compensated by a high grade in an SL subject With a low grade at the HL it may be necessary to achieve an overall score of 28 points to be awarded a Diploma instead of the standard 24
8. The candidate has not been found guilty of any malpractice by the final awards committee.
IB Internal Assessment As part of every IB course, students must complete certain internal assessments. These are assessed by the subject teacher then sent to the IB for external moderation. Most of these internal assessments will take place between March and December of their grade 12 year, and will become part of the final IB course grade.
IB External Assessment Students must also complete external assessments for each IB course. Almost all courses have exams as one form of external assessment, but some also require oral presentations or an essay as an additional form of external assessment. IB exams occur in May of the 12th grade, with the results published in July. Students who are completing the VIS Diploma do not complete the external assessment requirements.
|