Registration for the 2026-27 Diploma & Scholars Program is NOW OPEN!!
Registration for the 2026-27 Diploma & Scholars Program is NOW OPEN!!
Calling all 8th, 9th and 10th graders!
Calling all 8th, 9th and 10th graders!
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IB Diploma Programme (DP)
IB Diploma Programme (DP)
The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a challenging two-year educational program for students aged 16 to 19. It is internationally recognized and designed to develop students who are intellectually curious, globally aware, and well-prepared for university and beyond. The program includes six subject groups (such as languages, sciences, and mathematics), as well as three core components: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). These elements aim to foster critical thinking, research skills, and personal growth.
All of these components aim to develop the characteristics in the Learner Profile.
The registration process begins in August for incoming ninth grade students, and will be completed in the month of January for all students interested in the IB program at DCHS.
DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
A candidate can only receive an IB Diploma if the following conditions are met.
3 CORE Elements
CAS requirements are met.
A grade has been awarded in all subjects, TOK and the EE.
6 Groups (Subjects)
3 - 4 HL Exams
2 - 3 SL Exams
The candidate has achieved at least 24 total points.
A grade of at least a 2 has been awarded in all subjects.
There are no more than two grade 2s awarded (SL or HL).
There are no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (SL or HL).
The candidate has at least 12 points on HL subjects. (For candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count).
Candidates have at least 9 points on SL subjects. (Candidates who register for two SL subjects must be awarded at least 5 points at SL).
EARNING POINTS
EARNING POINTS
The diploma points are calculated by adding together the grades achieved from each of the six subjects and the core. Candidates receive a grade of 1-7 for each subject and up to three points for the core elements (EE and TOK). Standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) subjects are equally valued in determining the candidate’s final points. To achieve a diploma, students must earn at least 24 points and have met the conditions listed below.
The highest score that a candidate can achieve is 45 points. The maximum points of 45 is obtained from 6 (subjects) times 7 (top grade) plus 3 points from the core.
What are the subject groups?
What are the subject groups?
The IB curriculum at Douglas County High School consists of six subject groups:
Group 1 - Language & Literature (English). Including the study of selections from World Literature.
Group 2 - Language Acquisition - (second language) French and Spanish
Group 3 - Individuals & Societies - European History, Psychology and Philosophy
Group 4 - Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Systems & Societies, Sports Exercise & Health Sciences (SEHS)
Group 5 - Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches, Applications and Interpretation
Group 6 - Arts - Music, Visual Art, Theater
What are SL and HL classes?
What are SL and HL classes?
To ensure both breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, students choose courses from the following subject groups: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts. Most subjects may be taken at either standard level (SL) or higher level (HL).
SL courses ensure students are exposed to a range of disciplines that they might otherwise opt out of, and HL courses allow students to spend more time with subjects they are more interested in by exploring options in addition to the SL core curriculum. In this sense, all DP courses, regardless of whether they are SL or HL, are integral to the programme.
Both SL and HL courses are meant to span the two years of the DP. SL courses are recommended to have at least 150 hours of instructional time, and HL courses are recommended to have at least 240 instructional hours.
In most cases both SL and HL courses consist of the same educational aims, core syllabus and curriculum and assessment models. HL courses typically also include a range of additional elements designed to allow students to explore areas of interest within the subject in more depth. In this sense, SL courses are not watered down versions of their HL counterparts. The assessment criteria are equally demanding for both levels, and SL exams are marked and standardized with the same rigor as all IB coursework.
How are classes assessed?
How are classes assessed?
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) uses both internally and externally assessed components to assess student performance. (Source)
Internal Assessment (IA)
Internal Assessment (IA)
Teacher assessment is used for most courses. This includes: oral work in languages, fieldwork in geography, laboratory work in the sciences, investigations in mathematics, and artistic performances. (Source)
IAs are given on a school and course determined schedule.
External Assessment (EA)
External Assessment (EA)
Examinations form the basis of the assessment for most courses. This is because of their high levels of objectivity and reliability. They include: essays, structured problems, short-response questions, data-response questions, text-response questions, case-study questions, multiple-choice questions—though these are rarely used. (Source)
EAs are given on a global schedule, spanning four weeks from April - May.
CORE Elements
CORE Elements
The Extended Essay (EE)
The Extended Essay (EE)
The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
The extended essay provides:
practical preparation for undergraduate research
an opportunity for students to investigate a topic of personal interest to them, which relates to one of the student's six DP subjects, or takes the interdisciplinary approach of a World Studies extended essay.
Through the research process for the extended essay, students develop skills in:
formulating an appropriate research question
engaging in a personal exploration of the topic
communicating ideas
developing an argument.
Participation in this process develops the capacity to analyze, synthesize and evaluate knowledge.
An extended essay can also be undertaken in world studies, where students carry out an in-depth interdisciplinary study of an issue of contemporary global significance, across two IB diploma disciplines.
Source: IBO.org
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a core class in the IB Diploma Programme that encourages students to reflect on how we know what we know. It explores different ways of knowing (like reason, emotion, language, and sense perception) and how knowledge is built across various areas of knowledge (such as science, history, and the arts).
The course helps students develop critical thinking skills by questioning the reliability, origins, and limits of knowledge. It doesn’t teach specific content but focuses on understanding and evaluating knowledge itself.
TOK is assessed through a presentation (on a real-world knowledge question) and a 1,600-word essay based on a prescribed title.
Source: IBO.org
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) is one of the core components of the IB Diploma Programme. It encourages students to engage in a range of experiences outside the classroom to foster personal and interpersonal development.
Creativity involves exploring and extending ideas through artistic or imaginative activities.
Activity focuses on physical exertion that contributes to a healthy lifestyle.
Service requires students to engage with the community through unpaid, voluntary work.
Students must complete and reflect on experiences in all three areas throughout the two-year program, helping them develop skills like collaboration, perseverance, and empathy.
In order to demonstrate these concepts, students are required to undertake a CAS project. The project challenges students to:
show initiative
demonstrate perseverance
develop skills such as collaboration, problem solving and decision making.
Source: IBO.org
IB Fees (May 2026)
IB Fees (May 2026)
The fees below are applicable for the May 2026 session and will be paid by any junior or senior taking an exam in this session. More information on exam registration is coming soon. All fees will be paid through MySchoolBucks.
Subject Fees through November 15, 2025
Subject Fees through November 15, 2025
$124 per subject
$95 EE fee
$49 TOK fee
$10 CAS fee
Subject Fees November 16 - January 15, 2026
Subject Fees November 16 - January 15, 2026
**This is the Late Registration Period. All costs have an additional $40 late fee.
$164 per subject
$135 EE fee
$89 TOK fee
$10 CAS fee (exempt from late fees)
Subject Fees January 15 - April 20, 2026
Subject Fees January 15 - April 20, 2026
**This is after Late Registration Period. All costs have an additional $157 late fee.
$281 per subject
$252 EE fee
$206 TOK fee
$10 CAS fee (exempt from late fees)
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