The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program was established to provide an intellectually rigorous and academically demanding common curriculum for students in schools around the world; an "international passport" to higher education. Its strengths come from the best of many national educational systems. What does the IB Program include? | • | The International Baccalaureate is a widely recognized, two-year comprehensive program encouraging critical thinking, research skills and service as part of the learning process. | | • | It prepares students for post-secondary success at any university. Successful IB diploma candidates earn both the IB diploma and the TASIS high school diploma. To succeed in this program requires commitment, ability and interest. Students who have the motivation and self-discipline, and who are willing to devote the time necessary, will find the achievement of the IB diploma of great satisfaction. | | • | It is designed to give students access to universities around the world. The rigor of the IB program is recognized by over 800 colleges in North America alone, and by many more in other areas of the world. | | • | Participation in the program plays an important part in the admissions decisions made by universities, and success on IB exams is often rewarded with advanced credit and/or standing at the university level. |
Students not following the full IB diploma program may take individual courses for IB certificates. IB courses require two years of study, followed by externally-graded exams.
TASIS students may:
| • | begin the IB in 11th grade, completing it in 2 years as 11th and 12th graders; or | | • | begin the IB in 12th grade, completing it in 2 years as 12th and 13th graders. |
Students are encouraged to join TASIS at least one year before the start of the IB program. Students entering the 10th grade who think they may be interested in the IB Diploma program should discuss their course selection before arrival with the Academic Dean and IB Coordinator, since in some cases it is possible to start IB courses in the 10th grade and to anticipate two IB exams at Standard Level at the end of the first year of the two-year program.
In order to obtain the IB Diploma, a candidate must take three Higher Level and three Standard Level subjects. The student must choose one subject from each of the six following areas:
| 1. | Language A1 (Literature) | | 2. | Language A2, B, or ab initio | | 3. | Individuals and Society | | 4. | Experimental Sciences | | 5. | Mathematics | | 6. | The Arts and Electives | |
IB Diploma candidates must also satisfy the requirements for:
| • | Theory of Knowledge (TOK) — A half - credit course taken over two years, which examines various ways of knowing and the nature of knowledge. | | • | Extended Essay — A 4000-word original research paper in an area of interest chosen by the student. | | • | Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) — Community service, sports, and other activities completed during 11th and 12th grade. 2009 - 2010 CAS Booklet |
Entry into the IB Diploma program is made in consultation with the School, student, and family, and is open only to highly motivated students with strong academic, time management, and study skills. Prerequisites for entry into the Diploma program include placement into EAL 5 and sufficient advanced math skills.
TASIS Courses in the Six IB Subject Groups
| • | Group 1: Language A1 (Literature): English SL/HL German SL/HL Italian SL/HL Russian HL/SL. Students may study one of 48 IB school-supported self-taught languages such as Serbian, Chinese, French, Norwegian and Turkish. Tutorials at extra cost are required for the latter. | | • | Group 2: Language A2, B, ab initio: English A2 (EAL) SL/HL English B (EAL) SL/HL, French B SL/HL or ab Initio SL, Italian B SL/HL or ab Initio SL, Spanish B SL/HL, or ab Initio SL. Some language A2 may be available on a tutorial basis at extra cost. | | • | Group 3: Individuals and Society: Economics SL/HL, European History SL/HL, Art History SL. | | • | Group 4: Experimental Sciences: Biology SL/HL, Chemistry SL/HL, Environmental Systems and Societies SL, Physics SL/HL. | | • | Group 5: Mathematics: Math Studies SL, Mathematics HL/SL. | | • | Group 6: The Arts & Electives: Visual Arts SL/HL, Theatre Arts SL/HL, or a second subject from group 1, 2, 3, or 4. |
Given the differences between IB courses of study it is not always possible for a student to transfer into the IB program after completing the first year elsewhere. Those students allowed to transfer must arrange for all internal assessment work to arrive at TASIS by September 1st.
Need more information on the IB Program?
Contact the IB Coordinator, Howard Stickley |
