International Baccalaureate (IB)
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, which meet the needs of motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum enabling graduates to fulfill requirements of various national and international education systems, the diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country but incorporates the best elements of many. The program offers special features in addition to the traditional strengths of a liberal arts curriculum.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. TOK challenges students to question assumptions about knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought, using analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. A key element in the IB’s educational philosophy, TOK seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning which transcends and unifies the academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is a key requirement of the diploma curriculum. Students are required to earn hours among these three elements in order to develop awareness, concern, and the ability to work cooperatively with others. Students actively work with and for the communities in which they live.
The Extended Essay is another requirement for diploma candidates who must undertake original research and write an essay of 4000 words. Universities particularly favor this component of IB, as it replicates students’ real-life experience on the collegiate level.
Coursework in for International Baccalaureate involves a two-year program that contains six academic areas. Subjects are studied concurrently, and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning: the humanities and the sciences. Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at
Higher Level (HL), the others are
Standard Level (SL). HL courses represent 240 teaching hours; SL courses cover 150 hours. By arranging work in this fashion, students are able to explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the two-year period.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Certificate
Students
may also opt to take individual specific IB courses only, with the aim of earning individual course IB Certificates for each course. All courses offered with the diploma are also available for certificates, though integrated Core components (the most highly-respected components recognized by university programs) are omitted. Certificate coursework for IB still involves Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) course options. HL courses represent 240 teaching hours; SL courses cover 150 hours.
Course Pathways for International Baccalaureate (IB)
The following list of FHS courses represents the course pathways available within each discipline to meet IB Programme requirements successfully. Please contact IB Coordinator
Jennifer Gabbard with any questions.
(HL = Higher Level; SL = Standard Level)
| GROUP 1—LANGUAGE A (HL only) |
| Grade 9 |
English 9 Honors |
| Grade 10 |
English 10 Honors |
| Grade 11 |
IB English HL, year 1 |
| Grade 12 |
IB English HL, year 2 |
| |
|
| GROUP 2—LANGUAGE B (HL or SL) |
| Grade 9 |
Spanish, French, or German II Honors |
| Grade 10 |
Spanish, French, or German III Honors |
| Grade 11 |
Spanish, French, or German IV Honors |
| Grade 12 |
Spanish, French, or German AP/IB V |
| |
| **French Ab Initio** |
| Alternative available for students with no prior French language course |
| Grade 11 |
French I Ab Initio/Honors II |
| Grade 12 |
French III Honors |
| |
| GROUP 3—INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES |
| Grade 9 |
AP World History |
| Grade 10 |
AP US History |
| Option 1: History of Europe HL |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB European History |
| Grade 12 |
Govt. & IB History HL |
| Option 2: IB Psychology HL |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB Psychology SL |
| Grade 12 |
IB Psychology HL |
| Option 3: IB Psychology SL |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB Psychology SL |
| Option 4: Economics SL |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB Microeconomics & AP/IB Macroeconomics |
| Option 5: IB World Religion SL |
| Grade 11 |
Comparative Religions & IB World Religion |
| |
|
| GROUP 4—EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES |
| Grade 9 |
Honors Biology |
| Grade 10 |
Honors Chemistry |
| Option 1: Biology HL |
| Grade 11 |
Dual Credit Anatomy/Physiology |
| Grade 12 |
IB Biology HL |
| Option 2: Chemistry SL |
| Grade 11 |
IB/ACP Chemistry SL |
| Option 3: Physics HL |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB Physics 1 |
| Grade 12 |
AP/IB Physics 2 |
| Option 4: Physics SL |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB Physics 1 |
| Grade 12 |
AP/IB Physics 2
|
| GROUP 5—MATHEMATICS |
| Option 1: Math HL |
| Grade 9 |
Honors Algebra II |
| Grade 10 |
Honors Pre-Calculus |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB Calculus BC |
| Grade 12 |
AP/IB Stats & IB Math HL |
| Option 2: Math SL |
| Grade 9 |
Honors Algebra II |
| Grade 10 |
Honors Pre-Calculus |
| Grade 11 |
AP/IB Calculus AB |
| Grade 12 |
AP/IB Stats & IB Math SL |
| Option 3: Math SL |
| Grade 9 |
Honors Geometry |
| Grade 10 |
Honors Algebra II |
| Grade 11 |
Honors Pre-Calculus & AP/IB Stats |
| Grade 12 |
AP/IB Calculus AB & IB Math SL |
| Option 4: Math Studies SL |
| Grade 9 |
Geometry (or Honors) |
| Grade 10 |
Algebra II (or Honors) |
| Grade 11 |
Pre-Calculus (or Honors) |
| Grade 12 |
Adv. Finite / IB Math Studies |
| |
| GROUP 6—FINE ARTS |
| **For Group 6, student choose one of these three options |
| OR a second choice from Groups 2, 3, or 4** |
| |
| Music HL or SL |
| Grade 9 |
Band, Choir, or Orchestra |
| Grade 10 |
Band, Choir, or Orchestra |
| Grade 11 |
Band, Choir, or Orchestra & Music Theory |
| Grade 12 |
Band, Choir, Orchestra & Music History |
| |
|
| Theatre Arts HL or SL |
| Grade 11 |
Theatre Arts I & II |
| Grade 12 |
Theatre Arts III & IV and Tech Theatre |
| |
| Art HL or SL |
| Grade 9 & 10 |
Any two of the following: Intro to 2D, |
| |
Drawing I, Intro to 3D, Painting, Ceramics, |
| |
Sculpture, Jewelry |
| Grade 11 |
IB Studio Art, year 1 |
| Grade 12 |
IB Studio Art, year 2 |
| |
|
| THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE |
| Grade 11 |
Spring semester |
| Grade 12 |
Fall semester |
IB Documents
10 Reasons to take IB - Why the IB Diploma Programme (DP) is ideal preparation for university.
IB learner profile - The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people...
IB Diploma Programme flyer - Learn even more about IB.
IB Information NIght Presentation ~ October 2019
Parent Handout from IB Information Night ~ October 2019
IB Information and Course Pathways