International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

1. International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Informational Session

2. Goal of the IB Program • Provide students with an international perspective • Provide standard based learning that is on par with not only college standards, but International educational standards. • Intercultural understanding and respect • To develop students who are knowledgeable and caring • To develop students who are risk takers and reflective • Well developed writing and analytical skills in all subject areas • And….TO HAVE FUN!

3. Why Ib?

4. IB vs. AP • Both offer: College Credit • AP: Areas of strength or interest • IB: -College Credit up to 18 credits for some schools (that’s your 1st year of College) - Integrated curriculum - Class cohorts - IB staff and IB coordinator (personalized scheduling and faculty support) - International benchmarking - Varied assessments

5. Inside scoop – the advantages • Often AP classes are oversized with individuals at different learning levels. IB offers a small cohort in which all students have been screened and interviewed (like-minded individuals) • Offers for programs – If you are interested in a specialty such as medicine, IB faculty get exclusive offers for programs for their IB students (e.g. Emory Summer Program for Neurology and Pathology, Leadership Programs in Washington D.C., etc.) • College Credits & Decisions – Universities want to see that you have taken the most rigorous program at your school, which at Tucker, is IB. Furthermore, Universities value students who have graduated from the IB program as they know that the students are well prepared and college ready. • Recommendation letters – IB faculty members spend countless hours writing excellent recommendation letters that provide their students with not only the best University options, but also for major scholarships. • Class of 2015 – 100% of the IB students were accepted into their 1st choice of University and 95% of the students received major scholarships ranging between $25,000 to $90,000 for their first year alone.

6. What’s Unique in IB? • Theory of Knowledge (TOK): The focus on TOK is studying what we know in the various fields of knowledge and how we know it (e.g. Connotation of the n-word, Can blind people have dreams?, Is violence inherent?) • Extended Exploration: Scholarly research paper in which each student has the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest – based on college standards (a resource for college) • Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): Students participate in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service in order to develop themselves, the school, and its community – an organized system ready for your resume/college • International Night : Producing an event is that memorable every year and part of your community hours (CAS)

7. Classes • Sciences - hands on lab; using equipment that is not offered to other Tucker students, for assessments – you choose your topics and can obtain research funds, IB science fair • Psychology – Assessments (choose your own topic to conduct experiments) • Art – Hands on activities with different forms of media (e.g. abstract, cubism, expressionism) • History – American Literature examined from an International Perspective; Socratic Seminars; not restricted to singular perspectives; collection of human experiences within history • Literature – Themes of identity, complexities of nature, world literature (includes international film studies), mature (college level) themes, character criticism, questioning societal values • Math – Assessments (allow you to choose your own topic for study), enhanced IB Math text book, lenient grading, collection of math (allows you to prepare for the SATs)

8. The difference • AP Class – you read a text, you analyze it, you are tested • IB Class – you read a text, you analyze its complexities and how they relate to your society, examine it from an international perspective, and understand its relation to yourself, and most importantly, you get to discuss the text. • Not a strong writer? This program is designed to provide you with one on one support and conferencing to improve your writing. 100% of IB students say that they feel prepared and ready in college because of their writing lessons in IB. • IB family – food (international and traditional “junk”), fun, and parties • Being One - we are all in sync with one another (students, teachers, administrators)

9. IB diploma • Earn at least “4” in all six subjects - subject scores range from “1” to “7” • Complete CAS requirements • Earn a “D” or higher on the Extended Essay • *Obtaining an IB diploma is not reflective in the college application process, however, it is a valuable resource in the workforce*

10. IB application process • 1. Minimum core 3.2 average at the end of 1st semester – 10th grade • 2. Completion of advanced/accelerated core curriculum in the 9th and 10th grades • 3. Completion of two years of French or Spanish by the end of 10th grade • 4. Two favorable teacher recommendations from 9th or 10th grade core subjects • 5. Completion of the IB application student packet with parent/guardian approval – will be made available January 27, 2016 • 6. A hand written response – will be submitted with application • 7. Interview with the IB Committee of the school – February & March 2016

11. Next steps • Decide if IB is right for you – Say yes to the challenge • Ensure that you are taking the correct classes 10th grade (Advanced Economics, AP World History, AP Chemistry, PE exemption) • Work on your GPA *Disclaimer – this program requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. This program is not for the weak hearted. #Ibawesome

12. Questions? • We have current IB students here to discuss the details with you.