The International Baccalaureate (IB)Program is designed to meet the highest standards required of any high school in the world. This prestigious program offers a rigorous, comprehensive approach to learning in the last two years of secondary school.
The IB program is composed of:
- successful completion of six academic courses in six different subject areas,
- completion of an external examination in at least three higher level subject areas and three standard level subject areas,
- completion of a minimum of 150 hours in the CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) Program, the writing and submission of an Extended Essay in an area of interest to the student, and
- completion of Theory of Knowledge class, including submission of an essay and oral presentation for external scoring by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
The International Baccalaureate Organization of Geneva awards an IB Diploma to students who complete all of the above and perform successfully on the six external examinations. Students may earn college credit and advanced standing at institutions of higher learning throughout the world. A complete listing of such recognition policies is available on the IB Web site at www.ibo.org. Embracing the last two years of secondary education, the IB Diploma curriculum incorporates standards that assume a high level of student achievement during prior years of schooling. At Princess Anne High School, an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) curriculum has been developed to prepare students for the full IB Diploma program.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma curriculum contains several unique requirements. The Extended Essay (4000 words) is an in-depth study of a limited topic in a subject. Its purpose is to provide students with an opportunity for independent research and students are encouraged to pursue an area of special interest. Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is a philosophically-based, year-long course divided between the junior and senior years. IB Diploma students take the course during the second semester of the junior year and the first semester of the senior year. Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) offers students the opportunity for community service and mandates that each diploma candidate complete a minimum of 150 CAS hours during the last two years of high school. The services can be rendered individually and in groups.
Exam Procedures
IB examinations are taken by students in May and are evaluated externally. Students must take an examination in each of the six subject groups, with each exam assessed on a scale of 1-7. A minimum score of 24, plus satisfactory completion of the Theory of Knowledge course, the CAS activities, and the Extended Essay are required for the awarding of the IB Diploma.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
Typical Course of Study
Sample Student Schedule
For detailed course descriptions, please refer to the
Secondary School Curriculum Guide.
COMPONENTS OF THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAM
Areas of study consist of courses in 7 subject areas for grades 9 and 10 and 6 subject areas for grades 11 and 12. The 11th and 12th grade subject areas are grouped in the following manner:
Group 1
Language A1 - the student’s first language including the study of selections from world literature (English)
Group 2
Language B - the student’s second language (French, Spanish, or Latin)
Group 3
Individuals and Societies - European History and Psychology
Group 4
Experimental Sciences – Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Group 5
Mathematics - Math Studies, Standard Level, and Higher Level Math
Group 6
Elective Options - an additional language B, IB Music, IB Visual Arts, IB Theater Arts, IB Computer Science, or a second subject from Group 3 or Group 4 (Psychology, Chemistry, and Physics) |
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9th Grade
- MYP-IB English 9
- MYP-IB Geometry or Algebra II/Trigonometry
- MYP-IB Biology
- MYP-IB Virginia and U.S. History
- MYP-IB Foreign Language (Spanish, French, or Latin) or IB Foreign Language 4
- MYP-IB Health and Physical Education 9
- MYP-IB Performing or Visual Arts course
- Semester or year elective
10th Grade
- MYP-IB English 10
- MYP-IB Algebra II/Trigonometry or IB Mathematics SL I
- MYP-IB Chemistry
- MYP-IB U.S. Government
- MYP-IB Foreign Language (Spanish, French, or Latin) or IB Foreign Language 4 or 5
- MYP-IB Health and Physical Education 10
- MYP-IB Performing or Visual Arts course
- Semester or year elective
11th Grade
- IB English 11
- IB Mathematics (Mathematics SL I or II, Math Studies, or Higher Level Mathematics I)
- IB Experimental Sciences (Higher Level Biology I, Higher Level Chemistry I, Standard Level Chemistry, or Standard Level Physics)
- IB History of Europe (Higher Level) or IB Psychology (Standard Level)
- IB Foreign Language (Spanish, French, or Latin up to years 5, 6, or 7)
- IB Theory of Knowledge I (2nd semester)
- IB Elective(s)
12th Grade
- IB English 12
- IB Mathematics (Mathematics SL II, Math Studies, or Higher Level Mathematics II)
- IB Experimental Sciences (Higher Level Biology II, Higher Level Chemistry II, Standard Level Chemistry, or Standard Level Physics)
- IB 20th Century Topics (Higher Level)
- IB Foreign Language (Spanish, French, or Latin up to years 5, 6, or 7)
- IB Theory of Knowledge II (1st semester)
- IB Elective(s)
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For additional information please call the Program Coordinator at 757.648.5600, or e-mail Helen Cox hcox@vbschools.com at Princess Anne High School. |
View a brief video overview of the International Baccalaureate Academy Program.