?? on International Baccalareate Programs

[momoftwins]

My local school district is looking to start a school that offers an IB program. Anyone have any experience with this type of program? Are the classes that much more difficult and say "honors" programs.

Honestly, I am not quite sure what questions to even ask until I get a little understanding of this type of diploma. Thanks for your help.

 

[dizneechic]

Our school district is also applying for IB, but for elementary (PYP) at this point. We will only have 1 school of 13 with the program, and it's not one we would consider so I haven't looked too much into it except for what they have told us at this point. We were told the process for becoming an official IB school can take 2-3 years so they can begin the program but still not be an official IB school but a "candidate" school. They have directed us here for more info:
http://www.ibo.org/pyp/

 

[rangermom]

We are an elemetary and middle school IB program here at Grand Canyon. DD is in kindergarten and DS in 5th grade. We have only been here since late September, but I am very happy with the program. Sorry I can't give you much details about it. Here our school's website www.grandcanyonschool.org

My 5th grader seems to be learning quite a bit. Being new to the program and the school I really don't have much to compare regarding how it has imporved the school.

 

[jtsscoop]

It is a very rigorous curiculum including many things not found in your typical high school, even with AP and honors courses. And it is recognized around the world. They have to have "CAS" hours, which are service/arts/sports participation and they have to write an "extended essay" which is part essay, part research paper. And they have to "test out" of their IB classes.

My daughter graduated with an IB degree (which is in addition to her high school diploma) and was offered a lot of scholorships. She finished undergraduate in three years and is now in Duke Law School (which is a top ten law school).

In our town, the students have to apply and be selected to participate in the IB program. So they tend to be very focused and motivated young people. There were, perhaps, 50 in her class, and still only about half of them actually completed the requirements for an IB degree.

We were very pleased with the program. But this is a school that had been doing IB for over a decade, so they knew what they were doing. And we were looking for a very challenging program (and it is challenging!). So...your mileage may vary, as they say.

--- JT in SC ---

 

[starrzone]

There was a really good thread going late last year about this program; it has both the good and bad and I thought it gave a great variety of opinions. You can find it here. I did weigh in with my opinion at some point .

 

[princessmom29]

I teach in an IB high school. It is truly an AMAZING program. It challenges students to think in a way that many of them have never been asked to before. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are essential to success in the program. There is a focus on developing responsible world citizens, so the students gain a much more international perspective than a traditional honors or AP program offers. I would say that the IB courses are a step up form AP. They require more of the students. There are not only exams, but cooperative learning projects, and exhaustive research thesis, and much more involved in getting an IB diploma. There is also a service learning component to the program, and a requirement that stundets be involved in soprts and the arts.

 

[cats mom]

And just to provide a little balance for the glowing review by jtsscoop....


DD was recruited for the IB program in high school. We attended informational meetings, talked to IB parents and students, and did a fair amount of research on the program.

Disclaimer: the info below will be infused with my personal opinions, so take it for what it's worth.

I think whether the IB program makes sense for you/your student depends on what you/they are looking for from the program.
Quality education and general college prep = I think it's great.
A specific edge in the college admission and/or scholarship process = may not be so great.
(although as per the post above, it may work out that way for some folks)

I have no doubt that the IB program provides a rigorous, integrated education that helps prepare students for college; no matter where they choose to attend. The "extended essay" requirements are probably more intense than anything I faced the first few years of my college coursework. It wasn't until I hit some of the toughest upper division courses in my major that I had to do that caliber work. I also think the community service requirements are admirable.

If my child were planning on applying to any universities abroad, I would definitely encourage them to consider the IB program. However, while I think more US universities are beginning to recognize the IB program; many (if not most) still do not give any additional weight to IB coursework, nor do they necessarily recognize an IB degree when making admission/scholarship decisions.

DD wanted to attend a university that requires a very competitive high school GPA, and gives no additional weight or college credit for IB courses, but does for AP courses. It made sense for DD to go the AP route instead of the IB route.

 

[jtsscoop]

The IB program that my daughter attended combined IB and AP. They had LOTS of testing at year end, since they were taking AP exams in addition to the IB! I don't know how typical that is. But it is how her school did it.

Our experience was good, but as I noted, YMMV.

--- JT in SC ---

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

IB scores transferring into college credits is limited. More colleges and universities accept AP scores for college credit. The amount of credits given by a college or university varies. Some of the more prestigious colleges and universities don't even accept AP scores for college credit. The College Board that administers the AP exams also administers the SAT and the PSAT. The PSAT exam is tied to the National Merit Scholarship Program. Course rigor is what college admissions is looking at. Whether that is IB, AP, or honors courses. My daughter graduated high school last year and entered the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with 30 college credits.

 

[Cindy B]

My home district has been doing IB for years. We have about 3 elementary, one middle school and the high school IB program was dropped in favor of traditional AP courses.

Suprisingly, there was minimal enrollment in the high school IB program but there is a 100 plus kid waiting list on the IB middle school. My son finished in the IB middle school and my daughter is in 7th grade.

As far as the middle school program, there are community and service hours that are a requirement. However, it is pretty easy to do them so that is a non issue. (My daughter is a joiner though, so she joined the community service club. Getting my son to do the hours, well that was a different story).

My kids all had to do a personal informational literacy project. In 6th grade it was about a 5-7 page APA paper with all types of footnotes and process journals as well as trifold with specific essential questions. They had to present the project to the entire grade. In 7th grade it is a hands on project--and it usually represents how something has changed culture and the world. My son did his on skateboarding.. and the influence of skateboarding in other sports. He also demonstrated tricks and such. My daughter is in the midst of her project now and she is doing a fashion design piece on tie dye and natural organic dyes. Her topic involves the environment, fashion design and hands on demonstration. The APA paper becomes a 8-9 page paper.

In 8th grade they had to complete a written research project on a controversial topic. My son did his on extreme sports. Can't remember the page length, but I know my son went under.

Is IB the end all be all? I'm not sure. I know it is much better for mydaughter than my son. However, I wanted my son to try something different. I will say there is more writing involved in IB courses.. more reflections, personal commentaries, understanding how the curriculum relates to IB's areas of interaction, etc.
It is almost a waste in early elementary though. I will say 2nd-3rd grade is a great time to start. I've seen some excellent IB elementary school programs in 4th/5th grade classrooms.

 

[momoftwins]

Thanks for all of the opinions. I really do have a lot to think about and at least I have a place to start.

Have a wonderful night.

 

[tinkabella627]

The school I teach at is going to be applying for IB. For the next 3 years we will be working on becoming IB. I just want to say that, it doesn't always make a "better" school. Our school will have the same children just have to apply different types of learning and teaching styles. It does teach children to think in a different, higher level, way...however if the school isn't a great school to begin with, and has behavior problems and low performing children, this won't necessarily make that any different... just my opinion

 

[tommya60]

Our D is in an IB program at her high school, she loves it. The school has done a superior job combining IB and AP so the students have the advantage of both. Additionally, they are at the top of US schools in terms of graduates actually earning the IB diploma. The program is rigorous, and does a great job preparing the students for success at a demanding college. It is not for every student, if your student hates writing and analysis they may be better served by an AP approach.

I would ask for a specific course schedule outline for each year of high school. Be sure and get information on which courses will be offered as Higher Level (2 year sequence) and which as Standard Level (single year sequence). If test fees ($80 each) would be an issure for your family ask about financial aid for the tests. Which classes will be taught in conjunction with the AP courses? (those tests have fees as well). Can the student opt out of IB? Who will be teaching the courses and what preparation for teaching the IB courses will be provided to those instructors?

 

[KKB]

DS was invited to our IB HS program here, but chose his home school.
What I like that I am hearing (and I am a teacher) is that it MAKES KIDS THINK IN A DIFFERENT WAY. With the insane emphasis on TESTS these days, I do NOT feel that kids are being taught to think at all...

 

[ali2000]

I taught English in an IB school and I loved the program. Like many have said on here, it is a rigorous project/inquiry-based program. It is a great program that allows students to be a more worldwide learner and be more open-minded; it also creates students who are self-motivators and require them to think in different ways. We have a 3 yr old and we, luckily, live in a school district that has the IB program. Because I loved the program so much, one of the most important things on my list for my son's school is that it has an IB program.
I would definitely recommend it!