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 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. (A complete listing of such recognition policies is available from the Counseling department and the IB Coordinator or by Internet at www.ibo.org/) Students may choose to select certain IB courses without earning the full IB Diploma. See pages 6 for 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
- History of the Americas (year 1) /Topics in Twentieth Century World History (year 2)
- Philosophy
- Psychology
Group 4: Social Anthropology 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 each component of 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 the 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. While there is a set timeline for the extended essay components, the supervisor and student can work together to create a working timetable for the essay’s completion, which takes into account the rising senior’s academic load, college application process and other time constraints. The extended essay is submitted during the first semester of the senior year.
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 English Literature HL part 2 |
|
Group 2 Language Acquisition |
Spanish III or FS II French III |
Spanish IV or FS III |
IB Spanish B SL/HL part 1 |
IB Spanish B SL/HL part 2 |
|
Group 3 Individuals and Societies |
World History** |
AP Government for Sophomores |
IB History of the Americas HL part 1 |
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 Biology SL (one year) or HL part 2 |
|
Group 5 Mathematics |
Geometry* or Algebra II* |
Algebra II* or |
Algebra III |
IB Math: Applications & Interpretation SL (one year) IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL part 2 (AB or BC Calculus) |
|
Group 6 and Electives |
Elective |
Elective |
IB Film SL part 1 or HL part 1 |
IB Film SL part 2 or HL part 2 |
|
Other |
Health/PE I |
Health PE II |
Elective/Generals Period/ TOK |
Elective/Generals Period /TOK |
Note: *Intensified recommended. ** Intensified or AP recommended. 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.