Q&A

What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a course of study in which students have the opportunity to take classes that emphasize critical thinking, research skills, internationalism, the application of knowledge, intercultural understanding, and interdisciplinary learning. Students take IB courses in six subject area groups including:
Group 1. Language A1 (English)
Group 2. Second Language
Group 3. Individual and Societies (Social Studies)
Group 4. Experimental Sciences
Group 5. Mathematics
Group 6. The Arts and Electives

Students also take a course called Theory of Knowledge, write an extended essay, and take part in learning outside of the classroom in a component of the programme called CAS: Creativity, Action, Service. The Diploma Programme is offered during the last two years of high school (11th and 12th grade) and serves as a bridge to prepare students as they leave high school and enter higher education.

What are the benefits of participating in the IB Diploma Programme?
The primary purpose of the IB Programme is to provide students with a world-class and wellrounded education that will prepare them for college and beyond. The IB Diploma Programme enables students to be engaged by a challenging curriculum and to learn skills that will benefit them in higher education and in their career. Through participation in the IB Diploma Programme students learn to become thoughtful citizens who can write well, articulate their thoughts, and manage their time and responsibilities well. Participation in the IB Diploma Programme can serve to prepare students for success at the college-level as they navigate through the requirements of their IB coursework. The IB Diploma Programme is also a wellrespected programme by colleges and universities around the world.

What are higher level and standard level IB courses?
There are two levels of IB courses: higher level (HL) and standard level (SL). To earn an IB Diploma, students are required to take at least three courses (not more than four courses) at the higher level and the remainder of the courses at the standard level.
The higher level courses have a required number of class hours, which corresponds to two school years in length. Students in the higher level courses learn a prescribed amount of course material at an in-depth level. The standard level courses must be at least one school year in length, but may extend across two years. While students in standard level courses learn information at an in-depth level, the prescribed amount of information that students are required to learn in the standard level courses is less than in the higher level courses.

Can a student take IB courses without participating in the Diploma Programme?
While the full Diploma Programme is the foundation of the International Baccalaureate Programme, the International Baccalaureate Organization allows students to take individual IB courses without participating in the full Diploma. Individual IB courses are known as certificate courses because students are able to earn a certificate in these courses. What would a student's sample IB Diploma course configuration look like? There are many different schedule configurations for students participating in the IB Programme. Students are required to take at least three courses at the higher level (no more than four) and the remaining courses at the standard level. The following represents one sample course configuration:

IB English (Higher Level)
IB History of the Americas (Higher Level)
IB Biology (Higher Level)
IB Math (Standard Level)
IB Spanish (Standard Level)
IB Visual Arts A (Standard Level)

Other Components of the IB Diploma Programme
Theory of Knowledge: The Theory of Knowledge course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore the nature of knowledge in various disciplines, to reflect on the interdisciplinary connections among academic subject areas, and to gain an appreciation of different cultural perspectives and world views.
CAS: The CAS Component involves learning outside of the classroom. Students meet throughout the two-year programme with the CAS coordinator to help them meet the required number of hours for the CAS component.
Extended Essay: Students work with a faculty advisor to complete an extended research essay on a topic of interest.

Do students receive an IB score awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organization for their IB courses?
Students have prescribed IB assessments for each IB course and earn a score from the International Baccalaureate Organization based on their performance on these required IB assessments. Students earn a score from 1  to  7 in each IB course. A student must earn a minimum cumulative score in their courses, and have required scores in accordance with the scoring rules set by the International Baccalaureate Organization, to be awarded the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Do colleges give students credit for IB courses or the IB Diploma? The policies for awarding credit for the IB Diploma or for IB coursework varies among colleges. Some colleges will award credit based on the successful completion of the IB Diploma. Whereas, other colleges may not award college credit for completing the IB Diploma or may only award credit based on the IB scores from individual IB courses. In addition, some colleges award credit based on IB scores only from higher level IB courses, while others award credit based on scores for higher level and standard level courses. More information is available at the following website:www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition. For more detailed information regarding the credit policy at a specific college, students are advised to contact the admissions office at that college.

Where can I find out more information about the IB Programme?
More information is available on the International Baccalaureate Organization website: www.ibo.org.

Dublin Scioto High School is an authorized International Baccalaureate school. The information included in this site is subject to change.

For further information about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, please contact Hollys Hall at Dublin Scioto High School at hall_hollys@dublinschools.net  or (614) 718-8349.