power & responsibility. contents ib philosophy ib mission statement learner profile what is...
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Power & Responsibility
Contents
IB Philosophy IB mission statement Learner profile What is the IB Diploma Programme? Diploma Programme curriculum Program Overview Grade 11 year University information Common questions Student commentsPage 2
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Philosophy: What is the IB philosophy?
“Through high quality education we create a better world.”
Idealistic, peace promoting Culturally aware Quality, standards University recognition & challenge
“International and Baccalaureate complementing opposites that make the IB.”
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Mission
Organization: What is the IB mission?The IB is a not-for-profit foundation, motivated by its educational mission, focused on the student.
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Core values
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Programmes : What is the Learner Profile?It’s the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century.
IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth.
IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
Balanced
Reflective
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Programmes: What is the Diploma Programme?The IB programme contains four core elements
DiplomaAges 16 - 19
DiplomaAges 16 - 19
CurriculumCurriculum Student assessment
Student assessment
Professional developmentProfessional development
Schools evaluationSchools
evaluation
The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares high school students, normally aged 16 – 19, for success at university and life beyond
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Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain here at Westwood? In the grade 11 and 12 years, students study
Three subjects at the higher level (English, Biology, History, Psychology and Mathematics)
Three subjects at standard level (French, Spanish ab initio, Sport Exercise and Health
Chemistry, Mathematics (math studies or math skills), Film Studies, Visual or Theatre Arts)
All three parts of the core; Theory of Knowledge, CAS, Extended Essay.
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
Creativity, action and
service (CAS): Encourages students to
be involved in artistic and creative pursuits, sports and community service
Education outside the classroom
Development of the whole student (Grade 11-12)
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Musha, Rwanda Nursery School CAS project
Grade 10 Pre-Baccalaureate
It is recommended that students take pre-baccalaureate designated courses but it is not a requirement!
Student will follow the provincial curriculum with some extensions on variety of topics.
At Westwood can students choose to go into IB at the grade 11 level without the French as a requirement.
Students can then align their timetable to complete a variety of courses to complete a diploma geared towards their strengths.
University Information:
Many colleges and universities are granting advanced standings for IB courses (both HL and SL)
A grade of a “4” is usually the minimum to grant university standing in various courses
Post secondary institutions are favouring the diploma program and offering additional scholarships and opportunities to students graduating with a diploma that includes the additional components.
Bottom Line for University
One university course on average costs ~$800 Books run ~$100-200 per course What a first year students’ time worth? (ie. History – readings, 2 essays, midterm, final exam)
Your son/daughter can take a transfer credit (with a score of 4 minimum)
Universities consider both the IB mark and the school grade for admission and course credit
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Common questions:
What are some advantages to IB?
Will this program result in a lot of homework for my
child?
Can my son/daughter still be involved in sports, the
arts or extra-curricular activities?
How do class marks compare in the regular
program vs IB?
What about CIA hours and CAS?
Where can I get more information about IB?
Advantages to the IB program More well rounded academic student Trained IB teachers that meet regularly to
discuss the program and the students Academic supports: a teacher, counsellor, a
coordinator and a administrator dedicated to the program
More enrichment activities outside of the classroom
Smaller class sizes, two year relationship with teachers
Advantages entering university or collegePage 15
Will this programme result in a lot of homework for my child?
Keep in mind that the IB program is a high school program.
Students aren’t graduating with PhDs! The workload on students doesn’t dramatically
differ from students taking a regular pre-university program.
IB teachers meet about assignment deadlines and tests in their classes so that the work doesn’t pile up at once.
One common misconception is regarding the jump in difficulty from grade 10 to grade 11 being due to IB courses.
Can my son/daughter still be involved in sports, the arts or extra-curricular activities?
There is still room in the timetabling to ensure that students can take different options of interest, such as band or the arts.
Flexibility in timetabling. Diploma students from this year for example
are involved in choral, band and various sports.
A student with an organized work ethic can be involved in the full diploma program and still enjoy many other activities. IB encourages this.
How do class marks compare in the regular programme vs IB?
Again, the IB courses are meant to be a high school program.
Class averages between non-IB and IB classes are very similar.
Students in the IB program that are completing any advanced work in comparison to the regular program will be considered for mark adjustments accordingly.
What about CIA hours and CAS?
The Community Involvement Activity (CIA) volunteer hours are not required by those students who complete the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) component of the IB program.
Students doing the partial IB program (certificate) are not required to do CAS, but the CIA volunteer hours would be needed to obtain the St. James School Division high school diploma in grade 12.
Past student comments
“I'd like to thank you for the IB program. Things are so much easier as a result of IB. About half of my subjects at university are things that I have already taken, I received a rather substantial sum of scholarship money, and I am sitting on an A average due to my English transfer credit. You always told us about the benefits of IB, and I'll be honest, until recently, I didn't believe it. But now that I am experiencing it, I must tell you that it truly paid off. Thank you.” – Sebastian Cichosz
“It is an excellent preparation for post-secondary education, building time management skills and work ethic. It also provides students with practical skills and experiences from the many volunteer projects that they undertake. Overall, it is an excellent program whose benefits are well worth the time and effort it requires.” – Jill McDonald.
“The IB program gave me a head start in university. Earning a 6 on my HL English exam gave me 6 free credit hours, so I was able to take more electives in my first year. Although I struggled with Calculus in high school, when I reached the 'real' university level Math courses, I found that they were easier than what I had already taken! First year Math classes were like review for me, and I was able to get an 'A' in every one. IB really did prepare me for my university experience, and I'm glad that I took advantage of what it offered when I was at Westwood”. - Sara Hamilton
“Many people think to be in I.B. you have to be a genius and study every night, sacrificing any fun that may have been possible. This is not the truth. Actually it’s quite the opposite. During my high school and I.B. experience I was on the junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams, I worked about 25 hours per week, went out with friends regularly, and still did really well. Some students did even more than that, including various activities such as taking part in the school musical, volunteering, organizing charity events, dance, etc. You just have to work hard, seek help when needed, and push through.” – Sam Sanders
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Where can I get more information on IB?
Please visit my website at:
www.sjsd.net/~gvalentim
under the “IB information” page where you will find various resources on the IB program.
Visit the IB world website at www.IBO.org.
