Planning to participate in the IB Diploma Programme looks different for different students as interests, goals, experiences, and skill levels vary widely from student to student.
Important note about RCW 28A.230.122 (Read the full law here.)
Washington State law recognizes the intense rigor of the IB Diploma Programme to such an extent that "school districts are encouraged to waive local requirements as necessary to encourage students to pursue an international baccalaureate diploma."
Students and parents are warned that planning to waive credits comes with a serious commitment to academic excellence. In short, "To receive a high school diploma under this section, a student must complete and pass all required international baccalaureate diploma programme courses as scored at the local level; pass all internal assessments as scored at the local level; successfully complete all required projects and products as scored at the local level; and complete the final examinations administered by the international baccalaureate organization in each of the required subjects under the diploma programme."
Students who fail classes or who do not submit IAs or major assessments must meet all graduation requirements regardless of when the lack of submission or failure occurs. Students who are not consistently very strong in terms of grade achievement and consistent performance are encouraged to meet all graduation requirements before beginning the senior year. These students should follow schedule B, below.
HERE IS A LINK TO THE SCHEDULE PLANNING PACKET THAT STUDENTS USE TO PLAN FOR THEIR IB SCHEDULES. Students are given these packets at the January IB interest meeting. They can also get a packet from Ms. Swigart's office. Ms. Swigart meets with all 10th graders who are planning for full-IB. Students doing partial IB are welcome to meet with Ms. Swigart, but must also get their schedules checked by their counselors to ensure that graduation requirements are met.
9th grade
Health/ PE (one semester each)
Honors English (year-long)
Honors Biology (year-long)
Math (usually geometry or algebra 2: year-long)
Language B (French or Spanish --year-long)
*elective
10th grade
Honors Civics (year-long)
Honors English (year-long)
IB Chemistry (year-long)
Math (usually Algebra 2 or Math A & A ( year-long)
Language B (French or Spanish --year-long)
*elective
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*9th and 10th graders who wish to pursue the full-diploma should choose their one, yearly elective carefully. Obviously band or choir kids will take band or choir. Students who wish to acclimate to SHS might consider Honors World History & Principles of Leadership as 9th graders. Students who wish to take IB Art or IB Film might take relevant introductory course like Beginning Drawing & Painting and Ceramics or Digital Photography.
year-long electives: band, choir
semester-long electives: Honors World History, Principles of Leadership, any CTE course; beginning drawing and painting, ceramics; additional PE courses
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9th grade
Health/ PE (one semester each)
Honors English (year-long)
Honors Biology (year-long)
Math (usually geometry or algebra 2: year-long)
Language B (French or Spanish --year-long)
CTE (2 semesters)
10th grade
Honors Civics
Honors English (year-long)
Honors Biology (year-long)
Math (usually algebra 2 or Math SL1: year-long)
Language B (French or Spanish --year-long)
Second year-long PE OR fine art credit
Students who struggle with grades and academic behaviors, especially those who are in band/ choir, are strongly encouraged to take 1 year of fine art and 1 year of CTE prior to entering the programme in the 11th grade.
See Ms. Swigart for options and scheduling questions.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Health/ PE (one semester each)
Honors English (year-long)
Honors Biology (year-long)
Math (usually geometry or algebra 2--year-long)
Language B (French or Spanish --year-long)
Beginning Drawing and Painting and ceramivcs (one semester each)
10th grade
Honors Civics
Honors English (year-long)
Honors Biology (year-long)
Math (usually algebra 2 or Math SL1: year-long)
Language B (French or Spanish year-long)
IB Art (does not "count" as an IB course, but by permission, students may take the class as preparation for their own IB Art experiences.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Health/ PE (one semester each)
Honors English (year-long)
Honors Biology (year-long)
Geometry or Algebra 2
Language B (French, Spanish: year-long)
*elective (strongly consider Intro to Engineering and Creative Design) Also, you should join the robotics club!
10th grade
Honors Civics (year-long)
Honors English (year-long)
IB Physics SL1 (year-long)
IB Chemistry SL1 (year-long)
Algebra 2 or IB Math SL1 (year-long)
Language B (French or Spanish: year-long)
___________________________________
*9th and 10th graders who wish to pursue the full-diploma should choose their one, yearly elective carefully. Obviously band or choir kids will take band or choir. Students who wish to acclimate to SHS might consider Honors World History & Principles of Leadership as 9th graders. Students who wish to take IB Art or IB Film should take relevant pre-reqs like Beginning Drawing and Painting and Ceramics or Intro to Broadcasting and Broadcasting 1 & 2.
year-long electives: band, choir
semester-long electives: Honors World History, Principles of Leadership, any CTE course; beginning drawing and painting, ceramics; additional PE courses
If you would like to check your four-year plan for viability, ask your SHS Counselor or Ms. Swigart.
“If we don’t make our own future, it will be made for us.”