As registration quickly approaches, freshman and sophomore students are likely thinking about whether or not they want to join the IB Diploma for their junior and senior years. As students at LHS, there is much discussion about the different courses offered at the school. In this article, commonly asked questions about the IB program are answered. For further or more specific information, contact IB Coordinator Claudia Anderson in the counselor’s office.
What is the IB Diploma Program?
The IB Diploma, or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, is a program students can pursue throughout their high school career that includes taking several IB classes along with active, creative, and community service work outside of school. This program takes place during junior and senior years at LHS.
“I like the IB diploma because it encompasses everything about the student. The research, the writing, the curiosity, the being involved in your school, being involved in your community, the service learning and service work the students do,” said IB Coordinator Claudia Anderson.
What’s the difference between the IB Diploma and regular Junior and Senior years?
More structured class schedule with greater expectations. Students that are part of the IB Diploma take specific specialized courses to receive the IB diploma at the end of their senior year.
In this program, students take 6 IB classes during their junior year along with theory of knowledge in the second semester. These IB classes include 3 courses that are taken for both years, higher level courses, and 3 courses that are taken just Junior year, standard level courses. Higher level courses include biology, design technology, language and literature, history, and math. Standard level courses are IB classes that are chosen depending upon the specifics of the student. During senior year, students take theory of knowledge for the first semester and the second year of their higher level courses. Other classes that senior IB diploma students take vary relying on individuals. Students still complete any basic graduation requirements including civics, physical education, and swimming.
How much outside of school work is required?
As with all difficult classes, homework differs depending on the teacher and subject. IB students complete community service, creative, and physical activities (CAS) outside of school and log it to make a total of 150 hours, including the CAS project. The CAS project is during the summer between their junior and senior years and is at least 25 hours of service. Students also complete an extended essay about a subject and matter of their choice with the assistance of a chosen teacher.
IB versus AP versus EPIC
Students should pick the path that fits them the best. Each program has its specifics that students must adhere to.
The IB program has its specific requirements, so many students chose to take some IB classes along with regular, AP, EPIC, or honors classes. This allows for students to have more flexibility in their schedule.
On this, Anderson said, “You should think about what kind of a learner you are. Do you like reading and memorizing and getting a lot of content in a short amount of time? Then, probably, the AP route is for you. But if you want to have an experience that goes a little more slowly but goes more deeply into the subject area, if you want more collaboration with your peers, if you want more class discussions with your peers, if you want more individual research, then the diploma program is how you want to go. And if you don’t want to take the whole diploma, you can just take some IB classes.”
IB Diploma student perspectives
“I liked the opportunities [the diploma] provided and the challenges that I can look for,” said junior Rowan Ingrahm, who had wanted to do the IB program since coming to LHS as a freshman.
As advice to those debating joining the program, Ingrahm said, “You should do the IB program.”
After considering joining her sophomore year, current junior Maddie Roth decided to join the IB
program during the middle of her junior year.
“I joined the IB Diploma so that I could get college credits at colleges I really wanted to apply for and, hopefully, scholarships. Also, because there are some interesting courses you can take that are exclusive to the IB Diploma,” said Roth.
Senior Julia McGarrity joined the program due to the specific classes she wanted to take, the in and out of state applicable college credit, and the community service aspect. Since joining, her favorite parts have been the IB diploma community and the theory of knowledge class.
“Definitely do it. I think that it’s really worth it,” said McGarrity.
