The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is an internationally recognized program of studies available at Washington-Liberty to highly motivated 11th and 12th grade students. This program provides the rigor, the structure, and the experience necessary to challenge academically talented and motivated students. The IB program comprises a holistic philosophy of learning that seeks to address the intellectual, philosophical, and social development of the student.
The IB is a two-year program of studies across the disciplines. The components of the program are as follows:
- Successful completion of six IB academic courses in different subject areas
- Completion of an external examination in each area
- Participation in CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service)
- Enrollment in the Theory of Knowledge course
- The writing and submission of an Extended Essay in an area of interest to the student
The International Baccalaureate Organization of Geneva, Switzerland awards an IB Diploma to students who complete all the above components and perform successfully on the six external examinations. Frequently, the diploma serves as an academic passport to universities around the world. Many U.S. colleges and universities have also extended official recognition to the diploma and/or to the subject certificates earned in the partial fulfillment of it. (University recognition policies via the IB website https://ibo.org/university-admission/ or by contacting an instutution directly.) Students may choose to select certain IB courses without earning the full IB Diploma. See section on Graduation Requirements for earning an Advanced Studies Diploma. The prerequisites for all courses are listed in this addendum to the Program of Studies.
Components of the IB Diploma Program
Areas of study are grouped according to the following:
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature –
- English A Literature
- English A Language & Literature
- Spanish A Language and Literature
Group 2: Language Acquisition –
- Arabic AB/B
- Chinese Mandarin AB/B
- French AB/B
- Latin
- Spanish AB/B
Group 3: Individuals and Societies –
- Business & Management
- Economics
- Geography
- Global Politics
- History of the Americas (year 1) /Topics in Twentieth Century World History (year 2)
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Social Cultural Anthropology
Group 4: Experimental Sciences –
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Design Technology
- Environmental Systems & Societies
- Physics
- Sports, Exercise, & Health Science
Group 5: Mathematics –
- Math: Applications & Interpretation
- Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches
Group 6: The Arts –
- Film
- Music
- Theatre Arts
- Visual Arts
The core: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service)
The IB Learner Profile
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet help to create a better and more peaceful world.
IB learners strive to be:
| Inquirers | They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning, and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives. |
| Knowledgable | They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines. |
| Thinkers | They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. |
| Communicators | They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others. |
| Principled | They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups, and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them. |
| Open-minded | They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view and are willing to grow from the experience. |
| Caring | They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. |
| Risk-takers | They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs. |
| Balanced | They understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others. |
| Reflective | They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They can assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development. |
© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006
Creativity, Activity, Service
Students will identify and design experiences for creativity, activity, and service (CAS) drawing from their own interests. Many experiences can be designed around curricular and extra- curricular programs. Each diploma candidate must participate in CAS experiences, during the last two years (including summer) of high school. A portion of these experiences must be services oriented. Service may be rendered individually or in groups. Information about service opportunities is available from the CAS Coordinator or the IB Office at W-L. The candidate must submit a proposal for these important experiences to their IB Core Teacher or CAS Coordinator for approval prior to undertaking them.
Theory of Knowledge
The interdisciplinary Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other perspectives.
Extended Essay
The extended essay (about 4,000 words) is defined as an in-depth study of a limited topic chosen from one of the six groups of the IB curriculum. It is designed to provide the candidate the opportunity to engage in independent research. Students are encouraged to pursue an area of special interest to them. During the junior year, the student decides on a topic and is assigned to a faculty supervisor. Students are expected to begin work on the project during the junior year and continue during the following summer under the supervision of a supervisor. Students submit their final essay in the first semester of the grade twelve and participate in the Viva Voce, an opportunity to reflecton on their process and highlight what they will take forward.
Washington-Liberty High School International Baccalaureate Curriculum
| IB Group | Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Group 1 Language A |
English 9* |
English 10*
AP Spanish Fluent Speakers |
IB English Literature HL part 1 IB Spanish Language and Literature HL (Fluent Speakers - potential to earn bilingual diploma) part 1 |
IB English Literature HL part 2 IB Spanish Language and Literature HL (Fluent Speakers - potential to earn bilingual diploma) part 2 |
|
Group 2 Language Acquisition |
Arabic III Chinese III French III Latin III Spanish III or Fluent Speaker Spanish II |
Arabic IV Chinese IV French IV Spanish IV or Fluent Speaker Spanish III |
IB Arabic SL pt. 1 IB Mandarin/ Chinese SL/HL part 1 IB French SL/HL part 1 IB Latin SL/HL part 1 IB Spanish B SL/HL part 1 |
IB Arabic SL pt. 2 IB Mandarin/ Chinese SL/HL part 2 IB French SL/HL part 2 IB Latin SL/HL part 2 IB Spanish B SL/HL part 2 |
|
Group 3 Individuals and Societies |
World History** |
AP Government for Sophomores |
IB History of the Americas HL pt 1 IB Business & Management SL (one year) |
IB Topics in 20th Century World History HL part 2 IB Business and Management SL (one year) |
|
Group 4 Experiential Sciences |
Biology* |
Chemistry* |
IB Biology SL (one year) or HL part 1 IB Chemistry HL part 1 IB Computer Science SL pt 1 or HL part 1 IB Design Technology SL part 1 IB Environmental Systems SL (one-year, double block) IB Physics SL part 1 IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science SL part 1 |
IB Biology SL (one year) or HL part 2 IB Chemistry HL part 2 IB Computer Science SL part 2 or HL part 2 IB Design Technology SL part 2 IB Environmental Sys. SL (one-year, double block) IB Physics SL part 2 IB Sports, Exercise & Health Science SL part 2 |
|
Group 5 Mathematics |
Geometry* or Algebra II* |
Algebra II* or |
IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL part 1 (Pre- Calculus) IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL part II/ HL part I (BC Calc) IB Math: Applications SL part I |
IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL part 2 (AB or BC Calculus) IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches HL part 2 IB Math: Applications & Interpretation SL part II |
|
Group 6 and Electives |
Elective |
Elective |
IB Film SL part 1 or HL part 1 IB Music SL (one year) IB Theatre HL part 1 IB Visual Arts HL part |
IB Film SL part 2 or HL part 2 IB Music SL (one year) IB Theatre SL (one year) or IB Theatre HL part 2 IB Visual Arts SL (one year) or Visual Arts HL part 2 |
|
Other |
Health/PE I |
Health PE II |
IB Core/TOK 1 Elective/Generals Period/ |
IB Core/TOK 1 Elective/Generals Period /TOK |
Note: *Intensified required. ** Intensified or AP required. HL means Higher Level and requires a minimum of 240 hours of instruction. All HL courses are taught over two years. SL means Standard Level and requires a minimum of 150 hours of instruction. Full IB diploma students must take one subject from each subject group. A student may earn a bilingual diploma by taking two group 1 subjects. Students may take up to two SL exams at the end of their junior year. Specific schedules in Grades 11 and 12 will reflect each student’s personal options.