The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme

What is IB?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum for high school juniors and seniors, more specifically; Sam Houston will be offering the Diploma Programme (DP). The DP offers a balanced curriculum where students are encouraged to apply what they learn in the classroom to real world issues and problems.

Established in the late 1960s, the Diploma Programme curriculum was originally designed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to meet the educational needs of globally mobile students in international schools.

From its inception, the development of the Diploma Programme was based on three fundamental principles:

• the need for a broad general education, establishing the basic knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for further study
• the importance of developing international understanding and citizenship for a more productive future
• the need for flexibility of choice among the subjects to be studied, within a balanced framework, so that the students’ options could correspond as far as possible to their particular interests and capabilities

 

 

Why Become an IB Student?
There are several excellent reasons why motivated students choose the IB Diploma Programme their junior and senior year:

• It provides them with a competitive edge in getting into college and more choice among subjects.
• IB students are highly successful in college due to the academic rigor experienced in high school.
• Successful completion of the IB Diploma Programme results in “…an institution of higher education shall grant at least 24 semester credit hours or equivalent course credit in appropriate subject areas to an entering freshman student for successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.”  Texas Senate Bill 111  You will start college at a state school in Texas only two classes short of being a sophomore!

How Do I Prepare for IB?

• During your 9th grade year, you will need to take French I or Spanish I.
• If you are not on the honors math track, you will take Algebra I in the 9th grade and Geometry as a summer class, or you will take double-blocked

Algebra I/Geometry during your 9th grade year.

• Consider taking Pre-AP/IB English in 9th grade.  Strong reading and writing skills are crucial in IB.

How Do I Become an IB student?

• When scheduling classes with the counselors, check the IB box.
• In 10th grade, complete the IB application process and schedule your IB classes for 11th grade.

**Sam Houston has an open-enrollment policy.  We welcome all students who are dedicated and committed to the level of work required of IB.*

How Do I Earn an IB Diploma?

• In addition to a high school diploma, you will earn an IB diploma.  In order to earn an IB diploma, you must complete one course from each group.
• Out of the six courses, you must take at least three of the courses at the HL level.
• In addition to completing the courses, you must also take Theory of Knowledge, fulfill the CAS component and extended essay.

Write, Think, Do: the central components of the IB program
The extended essay: The extended essay is an in-depth study of a limited topic within one of the IB subjects.  Although the extended essay is written outside of class, it will be introduced in TOK (Theory of Knowledge), and each student will have a faculty mentor.  The essay can be no longer than 4000 words and will be turned in at the end of the first semester of the senior year.  The experience of this type of essay gives the IB student a great head-start on college writing.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): This class is at the center of the hexagon and is unique to the IB program.  It is designed to stimulate students to think critically about how we learn and how we know, and to forge connections between different areas of study.  TOK aims to foster in students appreciation for the quest of knowledge.
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): Students will spend at least 150 hours in activities outside of school which foster creativity, promote physical activity, and involve service to the larger community.  CAS helps students realize IBO’s goal of “educating the whole person and fostering more caring and socially responsible attitudes” which happens “when students reach beyond themselves and their books.”

Need More Information?
www.ibo.org – This is the official International Baccalaureate website; look under Diploma Programme

2000 Sam Houston Drive, Arlington, TX 76014