Introduction to the International Baccalaureate

1. IB Educational PhilosophyIBO is motivated by a mission to create a better world through education. • “The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. • To this end, the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. • These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”

2. Introduction to the International Baccalaureate • The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a nonprofit educational foundation established in 1968. • IB currently works with 3,289 schools (56% public) in 140 countries to develop and offer three challenging programs to over 900,000 students aged 3 to 19 years. • IB helps develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.

3. The New Century: Educating Students for the 21st Century • Globalization • Continually evolving technologies • Economic challenges • Cultural diversity • Less predictability & stability

4. The IB Diploma Program Prepares Students for the the 21st century • A broad, balanced, challenging curriculum • Development of critical‐thinking, problem solving, and reflective skills • Development of research skills • Development of independent learning skills • Development of intercultural understanding • A globally recognized university entrance qualification

5. What Makes the IB Diploma Program Unique? • Interdisciplinary approach to education • Two year commitment • Academic support • Extracurricular focus • International Mindedness

6. What is the Learner Profile? The Learner Profile promotes the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge.

7. What does the DP curriculum contain? • Students must take 6 courses from the Hexagon: • Three at the Higher Level (240 teaching hours) • Three at the Standard Level (150 teaching hours) • Plus complete the Core Creativity, Action, Service Theory of Knowledge Extended Essay

8. Extended Essay • Original independent research paper • Topic of student’s choice • 4000 words Theory of Knowledge Class asks the Question: How do we know what we know? CAS A balanced selection of creative, action and service activities chosen by the student (approx 150 hrs)

9. IB Courses Offered at Hellgate High School • English World Literature Higher Level • Spanish HL/SL • French SL • Latin SL • Ab initio Spanish SL • History of the America’s Higher Level • Biology HL • Chemistry SL • Environmental Systems and Societies SL • Mathematics SL • Mathematical Studies SL • Visual Arts SL • Film SL

10. How are students assessed?Students are assessed both internally and externally in ways that measure individual performance against stated objectives for each subject. Some assessment tasks are conducted and assessed by IB teachers in the classroom. Known as Internal Assessments, they account for between 20-50% of an IB students overall grade.

11. Biology or Chemistry: Designing and implementing an experiment of the students choice History: Writing an historical research paper on a topic the student chooses Visual Arts: Creating a portfolio and presenting student work

12. Assessment: External examinations are taken in May upon completion of the course studied • Externally marked examinations form the greatest share of the assessment for most subjects. • IB assesses a student’s performance in relation to set standards, not by comparing students to average national peformance.

13. Skills IB Students Demonstrate on Assessments Advanced academic skills such as • Analyzing and presenting information • Evaluating and constructing arguments • Solving problems creatively • International‐mindedness Basic skills are also assessed, including: • Retaining knowledge • Understanding key concepts • Applying standard methods.

14. Who is an IB candidate? IB is suited to the motivated learner, the curious mind. Students who are self motivated and willing to put in the time and effort can be successful in the program. It is not just for the academically elite.

15. Benefits of an IB Diploma College Entrance MSU offers Sophomore standing to all students completing the diploma and entry into the honors college University of Montana awards up to 30 credit hours to students for both Standard Level and Higher Level Courses upon completion of the IB Diploma with an overall score of 30.

16. Selective College Admission rates

17. IB & University Recognition

18. What some universities are saying about IB • “There is no other curriculum anywhere that does a superior job of both educating students and inspiring a true and broad-based love of learning” William Shain, Dean of Undergraduate admissions, Vanderbilt University • “The IB program is one of the most established and rigorous pre-college academic programs. Western Oregon University has identified IB students, especially those who have earned an IB Diploma as a top priority” David McDonald, Associate Provost Western Oregon University • “IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma program on the transcript” Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Harvard University • “One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known, and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses and we think the IB curriculum is terrific.” ChristopherGuttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admission, Duke University • “Send us prepared students (like those from) IB. It is the ‘best’ high school prep curriculum an American school can offer.” Marilee Jones, former Director of Undergraduate Admission, MIT

19. Potential Course of Study for Hellgate Student with a Science Focus Science Focus Year One 2nd Semester Group 1 HL English Group 2 SL Second Language same language as 1st Semester Group 3 HL History Group 4 HL Biology Group 5 SL Mathematics Sixth Course /Elective SL Chemistry or ESS SL 7. Theory of Knowledge Science Focus Year One 1st Semester 1. Group I HL English 2. Group 2 SL Second Language (Spanish, French or Latin) 3. Group 3 HL History 4. Group 4 HL Biology 5. Group 5 SL Mathematical Studies or Mathematics Standard Level 6. Sixth Course/Elective SL Chemistry or ESS SL 7. Open 1st semester

20. Potential Course of Study for Hellgate Student with a Humanities Focus Humanities Focus Year One 2nd Semester Group 1 HL English Group 2 HL/SL Language Acquisition same as 1st Semester Group 3 HL History Group 4 SL ESS (one year course) Group 5 SL Mathematics Sixth Course same as 1st Semester Theory of Knowledge Humanities Focus Year One 1st Semester • Group 1 HL English • Group 2 HL/SL Language Acquisition(Spanish, French, Latin) • Group 3 HL History • Group 4 SL ESS (one year course) • Group 5 SL Mathematical Studies or Mathematics SL • Sixth Course/Elective Group 6 Art HL/SL Visual Arts or SL Film or SL Chemistry 7. Open 1st semester

21. Potential Course of Study, Continued Arts Focus Year One 1st Semester • Group 1 HL English • Group 2 SL Second Language • Group 3 HL History • Group 4 SL Chemistry or ESS • Group 5 SL Mathematical Studies or Mathematics Standard Level • Group 6 HL Visual Arts • Elective 1st Semester ToK 2nd Semester

22. Questions?