The IB Program consists of six areas of study. A diploma candidate (a student pursuing the IB diploma) must select one subject from groups 1-5. The sixth subject can be selected from group 6 or a candidate may select an additional subject from groups 1-5.
The IB Program Components
Each diploma candidate must successfully complete six examinations, one from each of the following areas.
As a diploma candidate, students must choose 3 higher level (HL) classes and 3 standard level (SL) classes. Most courses are two years in length, but all courses will require students to sit for IB exams that come at the end of the course.
Diploma candidates also have to complete an extended essay and the Creativity Action and Service (CAS) component of the program.
Diploma vs Certificates:
During enrollment their sophomore year, students interested in IB courses will need to decide if they are going to participate in the full Diploma Program or if they plan take IB classes for certificates. Here are the differences:
Full Diploma Program: To earn the IB Diploma, students will have to
IB Certificates:
How is the IB score figured?
Students receive a score between one and seven as a designation of their achievement in a course. This score is comprised of in-class work (internal assessments) and the end of course tests in May of the year that the course is completed. Internal assessments are conducted by the classroom teacher and constitute generally between one-quarter and one-third of the total score.
Each diploma candidate must successfully complete six examinations, one from each of the following areas.
- Language A: English HL
- Language B: Spanish SL or French SL
- Sciences: Chemistry SL or Biology HL
- Individuals and Societies: History of the Americas HL
- Mathematics: Math Studies SL or Mathematics SL
- The Arts/Electives: Visual Art HL, Theatre SL, Psychology SL, Anthropology SL, or Film SL
As a diploma candidate, students must choose 3 higher level (HL) classes and 3 standard level (SL) classes. Most courses are two years in length, but all courses will require students to sit for IB exams that come at the end of the course.
Diploma candidates also have to complete an extended essay and the Creativity Action and Service (CAS) component of the program.
Diploma vs Certificates:
During enrollment their sophomore year, students interested in IB courses will need to decide if they are going to participate in the full Diploma Program or if they plan take IB classes for certificates. Here are the differences:
Full Diploma Program: To earn the IB Diploma, students will have to
- Take six IB courses during their junior and senior years
- Take IB's Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course during second semester junior year and first semester senior year
- Successfully complete the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) program. Students will have to participate in community service, physical activities, and creative projects.
- Write an Extended Essay (4,000 words) based on independent study that connects to work done in one of the six IB classes taken
IB Certificates:
- Students who do not want to do the full Diploma Program can still take IB classes for certificates. This means they can pick and choose the IB classes they want and sit for the IB examinations with the hope of scoring high enough to earn college credit (similar to they way our AP classes work). Students and parents should understand that score requirements sometimes differ between colleges and that some colleges do not yet offer credit for IB coursework.
- Students who just do certificates do not have to take part in Theory of Knowledge, CAS, or write the Extended Essay.
How is the IB score figured?
Students receive a score between one and seven as a designation of their achievement in a course. This score is comprised of in-class work (internal assessments) and the end of course tests in May of the year that the course is completed. Internal assessments are conducted by the classroom teacher and constitute generally between one-quarter and one-third of the total score.