INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM 

Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Falls Church City Public Schools has adopted the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 6-10 at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and Meridian High School. Teachers have been preparing to offer this programme to all students in grades 6-10 through professional development and curriculum writing since 2012.

With the addition of the IB MYP, FCCPS students will be able to participate in IB programmes at all grade levels (K-12). FCCPS is the first school division in Virginia to offer International Baccalaureate programmes to all students in grades K-12.

The IB MYP is designed for students ages 11-16. It provides a framework of learning that encourages students to become creative, critical, and reflective thinkers. It builds upon the knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (grades K-5) and will prepare students to meet the academic challenges of the IB Diploma Programme or Career Related Programme in grades 11 and 12.

In grades 9 and 10, or years 4 and 5 of the IB MYP, teachers employ the philosophy of the IB MYP, which is student-centered real-world based learning. The Virginia Standards of Learning still remain the core content throughout their courses of study. Teachers will also include transferable concepts, such as change or communication, and a variety of 21st Century college and career readiness skills, such as goal setting, long term planning, collaboration, and researching to the curriculum. Students are also expected to participate in service learning opportunities as they become available through their coursework. While students are mandated to take certain courses, student choice is also built into their schedules

Additionally, students in grade 9 will begin working on the IB MYP Personal Project, a culminating project that allows students to work independently on something they are passionate about. Students will receive in-school support through classroom lessons, supervising, and periodic check-ins. The Personal Project will be completed and showcased during the 3rd quarter of grade 10.

Diploma Programme (DP)

Since 1981, the most challenging college preparation offered to the students of Meridian High School is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. This program of advanced internationally recognized syllabi and external examinations offers a comprehensive and world-class education during the last two years of high school. The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. The program has gained recognition and respect from the world’s universities. IB Diploma Programme courses are accessible to all students at Meridian.

The program:

Curriculum

Meridian Students may complete individual IB DP Courses and receive external results by simply taking an IB DP course and exam. They may also pursue the full IB Diploma. 

The IB Diploma requires students to study in six core areas: English, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Experimental Science, Mathematics, and the Arts or an Elective. For the IB Diploma, a candidate must successfully complete the following: 

Students not wishing to fulfill all of the requirements of the IB Diploma are strongly encouraged to take individual courses in the IB curriculum to help them prepare for future education. These students earn IB certificates and may also choose to complete the TOK course, participate in CAS, and/or complete an Extended Essay.

A suggested general sequence of courses for students who seek to earn an IB Diploma is listed for reference. Each student pursuing an IB Diploma will plan their sequence of studies with the IB Diploma Coordinator and their school counselor to meet the individual student’s needs, strengths and interests. 

Students who complete Advanced Placement courses, college-level courses, or courses required for an International Baccalaureate Diploma shall be deemed to have completed the course requirements for graduation under these standards provided they have earned the total number of standard units of credit and verified units of credit in each discipline area in accordance with the requirements for the Standard Diploma and the Advanced Studies Diploma, as specified in subsections B and C of this section.

(Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia, 8VAC20-131-51

Career-related Programme (CP)

Meridian High School began authorization of the Career-related Programme in the fall of 2022. The IB Career-related Certificates (IUBCC) initially launched in 2006. It is the newest IB programme. It was relaunched as CP as it is now referenced from November 2014 to present day. IB reports that as of November 1st 2019, there are 214 schools offering the CP in 23 countries. MHS will be moving forward with the  final authorization of CP in the Fall 2023. The 2023-2024 school year will welcome its first cohort of CP students with the class of 2025. They will become the  first graduating class with IB CP candidates in June 2025. The IB Career-related Programme occurs over the course of the 11th and 12th grade school years. IB CP students must be enrolled into the following course offerings/pathways.

Program requirements: