IB Course of Study

The MHS IB Elective Path

In our IB program at Midlothian High School, each student will also choose an IB elective path (mandatory) in one of the following: IB Visual Art, IB Music Theory, IB Theatre, IB Psychology, IB Business & Management, or IB Sports, Exercise, and Health Science. These will be incorporated into their IB Course of Study.

IB Visual Arts: 

The student will decide on his or her chosen medium for their 11th and 12th-grade years. He or she will decide between Visual Art, Photography, Crafts, or Computer Art/Graphics. A student may take classes in different mediums during his or her 9th and 10th-grade years to decide which medium they prefer.

IB Music Theory: 

Students will enroll in a music performance class for all 4 years of high school (Band, Chorus, or Orchestra). Students will then also take the IB Music class during their 12th-grade year, which is an overall study of Music that includes elements of Music history and Music theory.

IB Theatre: 

This is a one- or two-year course that can be taken during a student’s 11th or 12th-grade years.

IB Business and Management: 

This is a one-year course that can be taken during a student’s 11th or 12th-grade years.

IB Psychology: 

This is a one-year course that can be taken during a student’s 11th or 12th-grade years.

IB Sports, Exercise, and Health Science: 

This is a one-year course that can be taken during a student’s 11th or 12th-grade years.



IB Diploma & Pre-Diploma Course Subjects


IB Diploma Subject Briefs for all IB Diploma Classes can be found here.

Watch the videos (below) by clicking on the course title to learn more about each of our courses.

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English Literature)

According to the IB, these classes hope to develop a student's lifelong appreciation of language and literature, skill in literary criticism, an understanding of texts from diverse cultures and eras, and a love for the richness of human expression with strong written and oral communication skills.


Pre-DP English 9 Honors and Pre-DP English 10 Honors | N/A | Pre-DP (9th & 10th Grade) Recommendation

This course aims to prepare students for English in the IB Diploma Programme. The course will focus on textual analysis, writing an essay centered on a focused concept, becoming more independent in textual analysis, and the use of relevant terminology.


IB English 11 and IB English 12 | HL | All students are required to take four years of English. Midlo IB students must take IB English at the HL level. IB diploma candidates will take two Oral Examinations as juniors and the HL test as seniors.

Introduces the critical study and interpretation of written and spoken texts from a wide range of literary forms and non-literary text types.


External Assessments:

Internal Assessments:



Group 2: Language Acquisition (World Language)

The main purpose of this group of classes is to encourage proficiency in a foreign language and promote understanding of other cultures while learning about and studying their language.


IB Latin 4-7  | HL and SL | Midlo IB offers IB Latin and recommends that all students take 4 high school years of one language. Both SL and HL Latin courses are two-year courses at Midlo.

Latin or Classical Greek coursework provides opportunities for students to study the language, literature, and culture of ancient Rome or Greece.


External Assessments:

Internal Assessment:


IB French 4-7 and IB Spanish 4-7 | HL and SL | Midlo IB offers IB French & Spanish and recommends that all students take 4 high school years of one language. Both SL and HL Language courses are two-year courses at Midlo.

For students with some previous experience in learning the language. Students develop the ability to communicate in the target language through the study of language, themes, and texts. Also, develop a conceptual understanding of how language works.


External Assessments:

Internal Assessment:




Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Social Sciences)

These courses span various social science subjects, such as social studies, psychology, and politics. This group's goals are for students to develop "a critical appreciation of human experience and behavior", and to appreciate the physical, economic and social environments in our world and learn more about the history of social and cultural institutions and the different types of environments people inhabit. 



IB History of the Americas and IB 20th Century World History | HL | Midlo IB requires all students to take History at the HL level. Completion of the two-year course, IB History HL1 and HL2, also fulfills graduation requirements in Personal Finance & Economics.

A world history course based on a comparative, multi-perspective approach to history and focused on key historical concepts such as change, causation, and significance. Involves the study of a variety of types of history, including political, economic, social, and cultural.


External Assessments:

Internal Assessment


IB Business Management | SL | IB Elective

Designed to develop students' knowledge and understanding of business management theories, as well as their ability to apply a range of tools and techniques. Students learn to analyze, discuss, and evaluate business activities at local, national, and international levels.



IB Psychology | SL | IB Elective

Systematic study of behavior and mental processes. Examines the interaction of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences on human behavior.




Group 4: Sciences

In this group of classes, you'll choose an experimental science to study. The goal is to have students deepen their understanding of the scientific method through key concepts, models, theories, and techniques in each subject area while encouraging students to appreciate the environmental, social, and ethical implications of science. 


IB Biology Y1 and IB Biology Y2 | HL and SL | Midlo IB Biology is a two-year course; students may test at either the SL or HL level in year two.

Investigate the living world at all levels using many different approaches and techniques. At one end of the scale are the cell, its molecular construction, and complex metabolic reactions. At the other end of the scale, they will investigate the interactions that make whole ecosystems function.



External Assessments:

Internal Assessments:



IB Physics | HL and SL | Will be offered for classes of 2026 and beyond. Midlo IB Physics is a two-year course; students may test at either the SL or HL level in year two.

Seeks to explain the universe itself from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. 


External Assessments:

Internal Assessments:



IB Sports, Exercise, and Health Science | SL | IB Elective

Incorporates the disciplines of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and nutrition, which are studied in the context of sport, exercise, and health.




Group 5: Mathematics

This group aims to develop mathematical knowledge, concepts, and principles; develop logical, critical, and creative thinking; and employ and refine the student's powers of abstraction and generalization. 


IB Math Applications & Interpretation | SL | Offered as a 2-year (SL) course.

This course is designed for students who wish to gain a good knowledge of mathematics, but with an emphasis on the applied nature of the subject. It will appeal to students who enjoy the practical application of mathematics to real-life solutions. Students learn how to use real-world data to create mathematical models to uncover insights and aid decision-making. 



External Assessments:

Internal Assessment:



IB Math Analysis & Approaches | SL & HL | Offered as a 2-year SL or HL course.

This course is designed for students who enjoy and have a strong background in mathematics. As the highest math course available in IB, this in-depth course focuses on the development of real and abstract applications of mathematical concepts. It emphasizes the ability to construct, communicate, and justify correct mathematical arguments and encourages students to solve both real and abstract complex mathematical problems. 


External Assessments:

Internal Assessment:



Group 6: Fine Arts or Other IB Electives

This final group of IB classes focuses on providing a balance of creativity and disciplined research in a variety of artistic endeavors of your choice, including the visual arts (e.g., drawing and painting) and the performing arts (e.g., music and theatre). If you do not want to take an art course, you can substitute this requirement by taking an additional class from groups 2 (world language), 3 (individuals & societies), or 4 (sciences).


IB Design Studio | HL and SL | Offered as a 2-year SL or HL course. Two years of pre-IB art is required.

Encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. A thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. Read a student experience.



IB Music Theory | HL and SL | Offered as a 2-year SL or HL course. Two years of pre-IB music is required.

Students develop their knowledge and potential as musicians, both personally and collaboratively. Exposes students to forms, styles, and functions of music from a wide range of historical and socio-cultural contexts. Read a student experience.



IB Theatre | HL and SL | Offered as a 1- or 2-year SL or HL course.

Encourages discovery through experimentation, the taking of risks, and the presentation of ideas to others. Gives students the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors, and performers. Emphasizes the importance of working both individually and collaboratively as part of an ensemble.




IB Core: IB Core Curriculum Classes

The IB Core is compulsory and an important part of the IB Curriculum. These components must be met to complete the requirements for the IB Diploma.


Theory of Knowledge (TOK)


IB Theory of Knowledge 1 | N/A | TOK is a two-year course at Midlo. Due to scheduling conflicts, exceptions may be made for students with strong extracurriculars.

In this course, "students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know." You must complete this course to receive your IB diploma. Students are assessed in TOK through an oral presentation and a 1,600-word essay. 

IB Theory of Knowledge 2 | N/A | TOK is a two-year course at Midlo. Due to scheduling conflicts, exceptions may be made for students with strong extracurriculars.

TOK 2 explores the curriculum in TOK 1 in even greater depth. Support time for IB students completing the Extended Essay and CAS is also embedded into the course.




Extended Essay (EE)




Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)




Scheduling Resources