International Baccalaureate - Introduction
The International Baccalaureate Program is a rigorous pre-college course of study for the highly motivated high school student. Established in 1967, the prestigious IB Program has grown to include over 1000 schools in more than 100 countries. The program offered by Ingraham High School is one of only 13 in the state of Washington.
Participants in the IB Program become part of an international group of students taking similar courses based on rigorous academic standards. Experienced examiners worldwide evaluate their work. IB examination is internationally accredited.
The IB Program takes a renaissance approach to education, seeking to develop well-rounded, productive members of society. Students learn how to critically analyze, thoughtfully question, and carefully reach conclusions about cultures, languages, literature, mathematics, and the natural world.
Why Is IB A Significant High School Option?
This Program:
- Raises educational standards to meet high expectations
- Provides a course of study for a well-rounded, highly capable and achieving student
- Enables the student to compete in an international arena
- Establishes examination accountability for teachers and students
- Establishes a cooperative student/teacher relationship
- Program participants are highly sought after applicants at major colleges and universities worldwide
Full IB Diploma
IB Diploma Candidates must take the Grade 11 and 12 courses, write an extended essay, complete the Theory of Knowledge class, fulfill the Creativity Action Service requirement, and complete the IB exams. Students earning the IB Diploma may receive college credits or advanced placement for their high school work.
Unique Learning Opportunities
The IB Diploma Program is about more than six subjects that students study. At its heart are three core requirements that are integral to the curriculum and make the IB Diploma Program unique.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) - an internally and externally assessed interdisciplinary component that explores the different concepts of knowledge found in the subject areas. Because IB Diploma Program students study six subjects simultaneously, TOK teachers can, for example, ask their students to compare a historian's approach to problem solving with that of a scientist or an artist.
Extended essay - an externally assessed, independent research assignment of 4,000 words in one of the six subject areas. This is one of the ways in which IB Diploma Program Students can specialize in a certain subject area and prepare for university studies.
Creativity, action, service (CAS) - a minimum of 150 hours of participation over the two years in creative physical and service activities in the local community. The CAS requirement allows students to gain real-life experience beyond the classroom.
The Benefits of the IB Diploma Program
Universities recognize the outstanding qualities of IB Diploma Program students. Typically, diploma holders are ready to debate real-world issues from an international perspective and to provide leadership and support in the local and global community. They demonstrate a capacity for in-depth study while maintaining a broad perspective of the different subject areas. They are able to ask challenging questions but also know how to research a topic and express their opinion. They have a strong sense of their own culture and identity, as well as the ability to communicate in two or more languages with people who have a different perspective of the world.
Internationally Recognized Standards
The IB Diploma Program is widely recognized for its high academic standards. Assessment is varied and takes place over two years, with final examinations in each subject. Students' work is assessed by an international board of examiners, who are themselves rigorously trained and monitored by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
Subjects are scored on a 1-7 scale with a further three points available for theory of knowledge and the extended essay. Students who display good levels of performance across all six subjects and achieve a minimum of 24 points (out of a possible 45) are awarded the diploma. All others receive a certificate for each of the subjects completed.
IB Certificates
Students who are most interested in one or several of the individual IB content areas may work toward IB certificates. Certificate students may receive college credits or advanced placement for successfully completing the individual Higher-Level IB exams
Honors Program - Grades 9 and 10
While not a pre-requisite for admission to the IB Program, it is recommended that freshmen and sophomores who intend to enroll in IB courses take the designated honors classes at their grade level. These classes, modeled after IB courses offered to juniors and seniors, are excellent preparation for the kind of study and critical thinking required of students taking classes in the IB Program.
