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IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowlegable, 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 assessments.

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.

What makes an IB student?

IB learners strive to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and risk-takers. They also strive to be knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced, and reflective. Students who join the IB Program tend to be of diverse linguistic, cultural and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social and critical perspectives required to engage in the global community.

Why IB?

The IB diploma program challenges students to become well-rounded and confident international citizens. Students are taught to use tools given to them to interpret information. Creativity is valued more than grades for IB students. Learning is encouraged both in and outside the program. Students become better and more mature verisons of themselves. They develop a less selfish view as they look for ways to contribute to society instead of what society can do for them.

How much time does it take?

IB courses will comprise most of students' schedules for junior and senior year. The Higher level (HL) course designation requires 240 hours of class time (2 years). The Standard level (SL) course designation requires a minimum of 150 hours of class time (1 year). Some exclusions may apply, i.e. there may be instances in which some SL courses such as ab initio courses take two years to complete. Please see departmental pages for further clarification. The course descriptions for each of these courses are found in each of the departmental sections.

How can I become an IB student at Clarkstown South?

Interested students can contact their guidance counselor or speak to our IB coordinator, Mrs. Flugger. Sophomores can join the diploma program starting their junior year. The following classes provide preparation for IB courses: Advanced Global 9H, Global 10H or AP World History, US History 11H or AP US History, English 9H/10H/11H, Biology R/H, Chemistry R/H, Algebra 1, Geometry R/H, Algebra 2 R or Algebra 2 H, World Language 3H, College Level Language/Art/Music.

Do I have to join the Diploma Program to take IB courses?

All IB courses, including ToK, are open to all students whether or not they are IB Diploma candidates. Students must be prepared to maintain a rigorous course load in courses they elect to take. Very few colleges grant credit for ToK unless taken as a requirement of the full IB Diploma Program, and then credit may be granted if the IB Diploma is recognized by that college/university for further purposes of advanced standing. The IB courses granted college credit by colleges and universities are the determination of each college or university. IB Coordinators and School Counselors can help advise students in this regard. More information is available here. Even if a college or university were not to recognize IB coursework for advanced standing, most colleges and universities recognize that a student taking IB coursework has chosen to take the most rigorous high school program available which can assist a student during the college application phase. Furthermore, students who choose to academically apply themselves as IB students tend to discover that the transition to the academic rigors of college is a smoother one. Considering all the other adjustments young people need to make as they enter college as freshmen (being away from home, managing a personal account, handling his or her own daily living needs, etc.), it is a distinct benefit that those who delved into the IB Program as juniors and seniors are able to experience a less onerous adjustment to the greater academic rigor of their undergraduate freshman year.

South's IB Promo Video

Explanation of the IB DP

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