Curriculum

Classes

Freshman year and sophmore year students are placed into pre-ib classes that help prepare them for the IB classes that begin in 11th grade.

The Programme consists of six subject groups:

  • Group 1: Language A (Language Arts)

  • Group 2: Language B (Foreign Language)

  • Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Social Studies)

  • Group 4: Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

  • Group 5: Mathematics (Pre-Calculus and Calculus)

  • Group 6: The Arts and Electives (Film, Psychology, or an additional experimental science)

Along with the Diploma Programme Core:

  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

  • Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)

  • The Extended Essay (EE).

Selecting Courses

  • Students must study six subjects.

  • One subject must be from groups 1-5.

  • The sixth subject can be from group 6 or an additional course from groups 1-5.

  • At least 3, but no more than 4 of the classes must be taken at the higher level (HL). **If you decide to take 4 HL classes, your 3 highest scores count towards the requirement of a combined total of 12 points in HL classes. **

Classes Offered at Lakeside High School:

  • IB Language A HL: English Language and Literature

  • IB Spanish SL

  • IB History of Americas SL

  • IB History of Americas HL

  • IB Physics HL

  • IB Chemistry SL

  • IB Chemistry HL

  • IB Biology SL

  • Math Analysis and Approaches SL

  • Math Analysis and Approaches HL

  • IB Film HL

  • IB Film SL

  • IB Psychology HL

**IB Spanish SL, and IB Math SL are the two SL classes that are two years long. The other SL classes (History of Americas, Chemistry, and Biology) are one year classes.

How to Earn the Diploma

IB exams are graded on a 7 point scale. In order to earn the diploma, students must obtain a minimum of 24 points from exams. Students must also receive a minimum of 12 points from their HL classes and a minimum of 9 points from SL classes. Along with exams, students must complete Theory of Knowledge, which consists of an exhibition and an essay, along with the Extended Essay and CAS.

***A student will not receive the diploma if CAS requirements have not been met, the total exam and core points are fewer than 24 points, an N has been awarded for the Theory of Knowledge Course oral exam and/or the Extended Essay, a grade 1 is earned in any subject, a score of two has been earned three or more times, a score of 3 or lower has been earned 4 or more times, the student has earned lower than 12 points on HL subjects, the student has earned less than 9 points on SL Subjects (students who are taking 2 SL classes must have at least 5 points).***

IB-Diploma-Requirements.pdf

Diploma Requirements

Class of 2020 Caroline Schmidt at her lemonade stand which was her CAS project with Dr. Brown!

Class of 2020 Meghan Blitchington made the Sadies Hawkins Dance her CAS project with all of the proceeds being donated to support children in Sudan!

Class of 2021 Elizabeth Fulton and Avery Best did a pajama day to provide face coverings for homeless citizens in our community!

Diploma Programme Core

Theory of Knowledge

This class is taken during the second semester of junior year and the first semester of senior year at Lakeside. This class is only 2 days out of the week during the student's privilege that is taught by Dr. Brown! If students do not have a privilege, they usually go during their non-ib class. This class goes towards your GPA! TOK asks students to look at topics in a different way. Students are assessed by an oral presentation and an essay.

This class "offers students and teachers the opportunity to:

  • reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and on areas of knowledge

  • consider the role and nature of knowledge in their own culture, in the cultures of others and in the wider world."

To read more about the class, you can visit https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/theory-of-knowledge/what-is-tok/.

Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)

Throughout junior and senior year, students are required to complete activities for each of these elements along with having a CAS project. This takes the place of senior project. For example, for creativity, a student could start a book club or learn how to bake. Activity could be setting a goal for your sport or running a mile within a specified time period. Service activities include volunteering at the soup kitchen or tutoring after school. There are numerous activities for each element, and the students log their activities on a google site that they create. The CAS project can deal with any element of CAS or all three. There isn't a specific project; you come up with it yourself!

To read more about CAS, visit https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/creativity-activity-and-service/cas-projects/

Extended Essay

Along with CAS and TOK, students must complete an extended essay on a subject of their choosing. Students must first get their topic approved by Mrs. Collins and pick a supervisor. They will then meet with their supervisor and fill out the reflection form. After their rough draft, they will meet again with their supervisor to discuss the feedback. Finally, they will meet again after their submission and discuss the process. IB requires a viva voice along with the extended essay that details the process.

To read more about the extended essay, visit https://ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/extended-essay/