Planning Your Four Years
How to Earn the IB Diploma
To get the IB Diploma students must study six subjects in six areas - English, second language, social sciences, experimental sciences, mathematics, and the arts or a second IB science or social science course - offered at two levels, higher level (HL) and standard level (SL). In addition, students must take an interdisciplinary course called Theory of Knowledge (TOK) that challenges students to question the bases of knowledge. Students must also complete a program called CAS (creativity, action, and service), which involves participation in community service, performing arts, sports, etc. Students are also required to write an extended essay (EE) of up to 4,000 words in order to acquaint them with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected of them at university.
Students also have the option of taking IB classes in subject areas of their choice, if the full diploma is not something that they want to pursue. These students are referred to as “IB Certificate/Course Students.”
In most subjects, students must sit for 2-3 external exams in the IB course they are enrolled in. IB Dance, IB Visual Arts and IB Theory of Knowledge do not have traditional exams, but have performance, presentation or academic components as a part of the assessment model.
Full Diploma students must take at least 3 HL courses and the other 3 at the SL level. This is the schedule recommended by the IB, however, some diploma students choose to take 4 HL courses and 2 SL courses, which is allowed and may serve them well in the college admissions process. Please be aware that scheduling limitations may sometimes limit the number and combination of IB courses a student can take.
Some IB classes have recommended preparatory classes and students need to review the course descriptions for these lists.
HL vs SL Classes
Higher Level (HL) courses and examinations are slightly more difficult and lengthy. The HL courses require the student to spend a minimum of 240 hours in instruction/lab time spread over grades 11 and 12 (courses HL-1 and HL-2). In some subjects, the requirements for HL Internal Assessment are somewhat more demanding and thorough.
Standard Level (SL) courses and exams require at least 150 hours of instruction/lab time and meet everyday over two terms (courses SL-1 and SL-2). In general, the exams for SL courses are not as difficult or lengthy as their HL counterparts. Likewise, the Internal Assessment requirements may vary for the SL courses. Junior certificate students who choose to take an SL course are expected to enroll in both parts of the course in their junior year.
IB Diploma Student Sample Schedule
At minimum a student should have these classes in their schedule to meet all requirements for most IB classes. Students who come in more advanced in a World Language and/or Math will not need to take the lower level classes and instead can take higher level. Please contact the IB Coordinator or your School Counselor for more information.
9th Grade
- Health/Wellness
- Integrated Math 1
- Integrated Math II
- PE 9
- Spanish 1 or French 1
- NGSS Biology
- CP English 9
- Elective (VAPA)
10th Grade
- AP Seminar 10
- AP European History
- Integrated Math III (HL Math Students should also take AP Pre Calculus)
- Spanish 2 or French 2
- Spanish 3 or French 3
- NGSS Chemistry** or NGSS Physics
- Year 2 of Physical Education
- Elective
IB Pathways for All Students
For Grades 11 and 12, Diploma Students must take:
| IB Literature HL 1, 2 |
| IB History of Americas (HOA) HL 1, 2 |
| IB Language (Spanish or French) |
| IB Math |
| IB Science |
| IB Arts or IB Dance or another IB Science or IB World Religions |
| IB TOK 1, 2 |
Certificate Students (students wishing to take 1-5 IB Classes) may take any IB class from each of the colored categories.
Please use the charts by graduation year for further guidance on course selections for Grade 11 and 12.
Diploma students will take ONE class from each column per term.
Class of 2026, 2028, 2030
Full Diploma and Certificate Pathway
IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science will be offered in the junior year and IB World Religions SL1, SL2 will offered be offered in senior year.
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Needs CCIM3 |
|
|
* Needs AP Pre Calc | ||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Class of 2027, 2029, 2031
Full Diploma and Certificate Pathway
IB World Religions SL1, SL2 will be offered in the junior year and IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science will be offered in the senior year.
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Needs CCIM3 |
|
* Needs AP Pre Calc |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||