INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMME
OPENING A NEW WORLD OF LEARNING
In May of 2006 Arlington High School was authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School. This authorization allows Arlington High to offer students the opportunity to pursue the IB Diploma.
The IB Diploma is received (in addition to the Texas diploma) once the student has completed the comprehensive two-year course study which prepares students for university work. It is a broad and balanced curriculum in which all DP (Diploma Programme) students study English, Foreign Language, Individuals and Society, Experimental Sciences, Math, and Arts/Electives. The DP students generally sit for six exams at the conclusion of the program. These exams do not replace the AP exams, but run in parallel with the AP curriculum.
What makes the IB Programme unique?
First, the students must take courses in all six areas. These are taken in the junior and senior years. In addition the students must complete three additional components to become a candidate for the IB Diploma.
The three components include:
Theory of Knowledge ---designed to provide the student with an opportunity for reflection on the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. The course challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases and develop the ability to analyze.
Extended Essay---an essay of a maximum of 4,000 words, which allows the student to investigate a special topic of interest. The essay component acquaints the students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected in universities. Each student chooses a teacher to act as a mentor and works with that teacher throughout the process. The essay is started in the junior year and is finished by the end of the fall semester of the senior year.
CAS (Creativity, Action, Service)----encourages students to share their energy and special talents with others. Students may participate in theatre or musical productions, sports, community service activities, etc.
The IB Diploma Programme is designed for highly motivated students who see the challenge of a well rounded, international curriculum.
Who is the programmed designed for?
The IB Diploma Programmed is designed for highly motivated students who seek the challenge of well rounded, liberal arts, international curriculum.
What are the benefits of the IB Diploma?
The IB Diploma is a prestigious degree nationally/internationally recognized and sought after by the universities throughout the world. In addition, more than 30 universities offer scholarships to IB graduates. With the passage of Senate Bill 111, any student who holds an IB Diploma and scored a 4 or better in each area is guaranteed a minimum of 24 credit hours from any state university in Texas.
The programme equips students with the knowledge and attitudes necessary to be successful at the university level and in the work world. The purpose is to provide students with opportunities and skill that will enable them to develop good judgment, make wise choices and respect others.
IB Courses offered at AHS
(HL---higher level; SL---standard level)
English III HL
English IV HL
French SL
German SL
Latin SL
Spanish SL
History of Americas HL (HOA)
Biology HL
Chemistry HL
Physics SL
Math Studies SL
Math Standard SL
Computer Science SL
Compute Science HL
Geography SL
Music SL
Visual Arts HL
Theatre Arts HL
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Teachers in all the subject areas have attended at several IB training workshops both at Level I and Level II. Several teachers have attended Level III workshops.
The IB teachers are:
English Christine Fougerrouse, Ginger Haag & Beth Kloepping
French Princelett Duhon & Ha Phan
German Doreen Redinus & Susan West
Latin Laura Copenhaver
Spanish Elaine Futrell, Delyte Norman, Cynthia Sparks
HOA Russell Bartholomee
Biology Vedrana Katavic
Chemistry Tanya Maness
Physics Mike Roark
Math Studies Janie Stenger
Math Standard Matt Alexander & Sharon Wilhelm
Computer Science Judy Hromcik
Geography Jeanne Drapeau
Music Chad Waterman & Michael Hejny
TOK JaNae Mundy & Susan West
CAS Susan West
Who do I contact for more information about IB?
Brenda Gilmore is the IB Coordinator. As the coordinator she will be working with students who have expressed an interest in IB. She will supervise the application process. Part of this process is a meeting with students and parents. Mrs. Gilmore will help students develop a four year plan and with work with counselors on schedules. In addition she will work with the IB staff.
You may reach her by email at bgilmore@aisd.net or by phone at 682-867-6570. Her office is in D214. Or go to www.ibworld.org.
Arlington High School Class of 2008 included 21 IB Diploma Candidates. Of the 21 candidates 15 received the IB Diploma. This is 72% of our IB candidates. The world wide passing rate is 78%. We are extremely proud of our first IB class---the “guinea pigs” as they called themselves.
These young men and women are attending universities throughout the United States. A total of $1.1 million in scholarships were awarded to these students. Many of the students have been back to visit and have told our current IB students how much they learned through the IB program and how prepared they were for the rigor of college. Our students have received college credit hours in varied amount. Ala Ahmad who is attending TCU received 43 college hours based on her IB and AP test scores. Although this is a unique situation all the students who received the diploma with a score of 24 or better (nothing less than a score of 4) received the minimum of 24 hours from state colleges/universities.
We have 27 students in the IB Class of 2009 and 33 in the IB Class of 2010. Our class of 211 candidates will be meeting with Mrs. Gilmore after the new semester begins to plan for the junior and senior years.
