The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is a premier, globally recognized college preparatory curriculum focused on developing the whole person through meaningful learning experiences.

At Bowie High School, collaborative classrooms inspire critical thinking, unique opportunities foster empathy and open-mindedness, and students grow in the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

As an AVID National Demonstration School, Bowie provides targeted support for IB learners in a college-ready culture grounded in research-based strategies to support success. Over 60% of our IB Diploma students are also AVID Scholars. 

AVID + IB = UNPARALLELED SUCCESS

During 9th and 10th grade, the IB @BHS specialized program provides a structured pathway, engaging students in a foundational advanced academics sequence designed to build the skills, habits, and confidence needed for long-term success with  an intentional transition into the IB Diploma Programme. Students also belong to our Bowie IB Ambassadors Council: the BBAW Collective where they build collective impact in our Bowie Community. 

Beginning in junior year,  students will determine the IB @  BHS pathway that is the right fit for them: 

• The IB Diploma Programme Cohort or 

• The IB at BHS Foundations Cohort. 

With flexibility built into the program, students stay deeply connected to the Bowie community through extracurriculars, leadership roles, creative endeavors, and so much  more.

Please visit our legacy website to learn more. Link: James Bowie IB

Students should have a demonstrated academic focus or an interest in developing these skills, along with a willingness to grow and challenge themselves. Their course choices, grades, and attendance should show a commitment to schoolwork, taking on challenging classes, and a desire to develop good study habits, organization, and time management.

We are looking for students who want to be introspective -- think about their strengths and areas where they can grow. Our students should want to excel academically and personally, and they should have an interest in hearing different perspectives and working on local & global issues that interest them. Our program demands caring collaboration and respect in all that we do.

 Freshman & Sophomore Years

Students take at least 3 advanced courses

3 core OR 2 core + 1 honors-credit elective

Junior & Senior Years

Students choose the IB Foundations Cohort or the IB Diploma Cohort

IB Foundations Cohort

At least 4 IB courses 

4 core OR 3 core + 1 IB elective

IB Diploma Cohort 

All 7 courses required to earn the Diploma

4 core + World Language study + IB elective + Theory of Knowledge

All Four Years Participate in our Bowie IB Ambassadors Council: the BBAW Collective

BBAW Collective = Build. Belong. Act With Purpose.

Build → skills, ideas, initiatives, creative impact

Belong → community, representation, inclusion

Act → service + leadership, cross the line

With Purpose → reflection, impact, evaluation 

Bowie IB Ambassadors Council: the BBAW Collective will meet every six weeks. 

There are multiple on ramps into the IB at BHS, and students may enter the program in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade by applying during the application cycles offered in the prior fall and spring. 

As an open-enrollment program, we welcome students with varied academic backgrounds and provide intentional support for those new to advanced coursework. All applicants will be looked at holistically. 

If you are a current 9th or 10th grader who will be transferring schools, there may be UIL eligibility implications. Please reach out to your current coach and/or us for further details.

The only required cost associated with the program is the $15 exam fee for any AP courses a student elects to take alongside their IB coursework. Some students may also choose to purchase optional IB @ BHS  apparel (such as T-shirts or hoodies).

Applications for AISD specialized programs open each fall. Families may apply to up to three programs and rank their selections as first, second, and third choice during the initial application window. Additional details will be available on the AISD Specialized Programs webpage.

2026-2027

• The first application window has now closed. 

• A second application window for the 2026–2027 school year will open on Monday, April 20, 2026, and close on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Applications can be submitted using the link provided above or on the AISD Specialized Programs page. Apply HERE. 

Inital Round:

• We will email interview offers February 6 and conduct interviews through mid-February.

• We will issue acceptance offers on February 27 via email. 

Second Round:

• We will email offers after May 1. 

Residents outside of Arlington ISD boundaries will be offered admission after all Arlington ISD residents have been placed. Out-of-district siblings of current AHS or BHS students are exempt from this requirement. 

Yes, school buses run to and from each traditional high school in the district to Bowie High School each school day. Students are picked up at the traditional high school they are zoned to attend, transported to Bowie High School in the morning, and returned to their zoned campus each afternoon. 

Transportation is not provided for out-of-district students.