International Baccalaureate

At Grand Rapids High School

Grand Rapids High School

International Baccalaureate Pathway

The International Baccalaureate program is the most competitive, rigorous coursework offered at Grand Rapids High School. IB courses not only offer students the opportuity to earn college credit/equivalence in high school but also perpares students more successfully for the steps to come following high school. IB courses can be taken as a complete program (IB Diploma) or stand alone classes for the students who are planning to challenge themselves in subjects of interest.

In 2022, over 78% of students who tested, passed at least one IB Exam

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/minnesota/districts/grand-rapids-public-school-district/grand-rapids-senior-high-school-10819

IB Diploma

The IB Diploma program is the most rigorous and demanding opportunity for students at GRHS. Students must not only meet the requirements but must also demonstrate knowledge and delivery of material over multiple applications but also demonstrate the ability to balance a demanding workload. Students who attempt or achieve the IB Diploma demonstrate the skills necessary to compete for competitive admissions with the strongest students across the world.

Diploma candidates are required to:

Study six courses - one in each of the six IB subject areas - and take the IB exams. 3 must be Higher Level (HL).
Take Theory of Knowledge (TOK) I & II - a unique course on the philosophy of learning
Write an Extended Essay - an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper, done under the direct supervision of one of our staff.
Participate in CAS. This is a two year program of creativity, activity, and service.

The three strands of CAS, which are often interwoven with particular activities, are characterized as follows:

Creativity – arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.
Action – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.
Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.

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

Tiers of Recognition

IB Diploma Path

The Diploma is awarded to students at the end of their Senior year. To participate as an IB Diploma candidate, students must fulfill the following requirements beginning in 11th grade:

Enroll in a minimum six IB subjects over two years– three of the six must be considered “Higher Level” (HL) courses (Subjects are divided into "Groups" and students must take an exam in each of the subject groups - see "Subjects" tab).
Take IB examinations in each of the six subject areas (Diploma candidates test free of charge)
Write an original essay (called the Extended Essay) of approximately 4000 words
Take the Theory of Knowledge class for two years (one semester each year)
Participate in C.A.S. (Creativity, Action, and Service) and complete a portfolio that shows Learning Outcomes have been met

The Six Subject Areas:

Group 1: Language A

IB English 11 & 12* (HL)

Group 2: Language B

IB Spanish IV (SL)

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

IB History 11 & 12 (HL)

IB Geography (SL)

Group 4: Experimental Sciences

IB Chemistry I & II* (HL)

IB Physics I & II (HL)

Group 5: Mathematics

IB Calculus (SL)

Group 6: Arts and Electives

IB Studio Art (SL)

IB Business & Management (Based on interest)

IB Film Studies (Based on interest)

IB Biology (SL)

IB Elective (Additional course in group 3 or 4)

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) I & II

*Students must take the IB test at the completion of these courses.

IB Medallion Path

The Medallion is awarded to students at the end of their Senior year. To participate as an IB Medallion candidate, students must fulfill the following requirements beginning in 11th grade:

Enroll in a minimum three IB subjects over two years
Take IB examinations in each of the three courses (there is fee associated with each exam)
Take the Theory of Knowledge class for two years (one semester each year)

IB Merit Path

The Certificate is awarded to students at the end of their Senior year. To participate as an IB Certificate candidate, students must fulfill the following requirements beginning in 11th grade:

Enroll in a minimum of three IB subjects over two years and either…
Test in one of the three (there is fee associated with each exam) or
Ensure at least one of the three IB courses is an HL (“Higher Level”) course (the remaining two can be SL (“Standard Level”) or HL

Track Your Progress Through IB

Track your current, past, and potential future classes, as well as the classes you are planning to "Test" in, through the IB Program to see if you are on track for the Tiers of IB recognition listed above.

GRHS IB Program Pathway Tracker

Although not required, note that to receive possible college credit, students have to pay course fees. For those choosing to do so, course assessments are $40 per course (free for Free/Reduced lunch students and IB Diploma Candidates).

Upon completion of each IB course, students are able to test to demonstrate mastery of course material which also allows the students the opportunity to earn college credit and/or college course equivalence.

IB and College in the Schools (CITS)

CITS Credits are awareded by University of Minnesota Duluth

Another benefit of the IB coursework at Grand Rapids High School, is the partnership between the IB and College in the Schools program through the University of Minnesota Duluth. Not only do students taking an IB/CITS course get the benefit of the IB program but are awarded UMD credit upon completion of the course. Students need to meet at 3.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible to receive UMD credit for CITS courses. See the CITS Pathway for more information.

Why IB

On top of the preparedness students attain from College in the Schools credit, transfer rates of the CITS courses offered at Grand Rapids High School is also very high. Not only are students earning college credit but the credit earned is also satisfying requirements for students as they set off to their schools of choice. A survey of college students who participated in CITS courses indicated UMD credit transferred successfully into required areas over 95% of the time. Many students entered their first year of college with a high standing due to the credit already attained, students were able to jump directly into high level coursework, and students report more preparedness for the college curriculum as a result of the IB and CITS programs. These benefits can ultimately save time and money and more often students noted that they used the advancement in credit to explore other courses, interests and future education opportunities such as pursing a minor or a double major.

Reasons to take IB courses at GRHS

GRHS IB students outperform their peers on state assessments
GRHS IB students have higher acceptance rates to college
GRHS IB students perform better in post-secondary in education than their peers
GRHS IB graduates consistently report better preparedness for college level rigor resulting in higher college performance
IB students consistently complete college major requirements and diploma in four years or less
IB standards are aligned with best practice in education and support effetive teaching practices
The IB program has a positive impact on the culture of a school

Grand Rapids High School International Baccalaureate Course

English

#1038 & 2040 IB English 11/ CITS: Introduction to Literature: UMD ENGL 1907
#1040 & 2042 IB ENGLISH 12/CITS College Writing: UMD ENGL 1120

Math

#1218 & 2219 IB PRE-CALCULUS
#1220 & 2221 IB/CITS CALCULUS: UMD MATH 1296 Calculus I

Science

#1305 & #2305 IB BIOLOGY I
#1306 & #2306 IB BIOLOGY II
#1336 & #2336 IB CHEMISTRY I
#1337 & #2337 IB CHEMISTRY II
#1340 & #2340 IB PHYSICS I
#1342 & #2342 IB PHYSICS II

Social

#1109 & #2107 IB/CITS GEOGRAPHY: UMD GEOG 1205 Our Globalizing World
#1108 & #2108 IB/CITS HISTORY of EUROPE 12: UMD HIST 1208 EUROPE in the MODERN AGE
#1111 & #2106 IB/CITS HISTORY of EUROPE 11: UMD HIST 1207 DAWN of MODERN EUROPE

Art

#1768 & #2768 IB STUDIO ART I

Business

#1565 & #2565 IB BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

World Language

#1428 & 2424 IB SPANISH III
#1429 & 2430 IB/CITS SPANISH IV – UMD SPAN 1201
#1432 & 2432 IB SPANISH V

Elective

#1849 & # 2849 IB FILM STUDIES
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE II

IB and College Equivalence

To learn more about credit policies at local colleges, see the links below:

Minnesota

MN Private College Council: Lists and links to all MN Private Colleges and their credit transfer policies

Wisconsin

Iowa

Nebraska

Appeals Process and IB

In instances where credit was not given outright for IB scores, we have had numerous cases where students have appealed for credit. This is something students have done once they have received their scores and are at their college of choice working directly with the registrar of that school. This is not to say that an appeal is guarantee for credit; nevertheless, there is no harm in the attempt.

Minnesota State Colleges and IB

It is important to note that all Minnesota State Colleges fall under a credit policy that outlines the following:

· Higher Level examinations with a score of 4 or higher will receive a minimum of 3 or more credits.

· Standard Level examinations with a score of 4 or higher will receive a minimum of 2 or more credits.

Researching IB Credit Policies

IB students are encouraged to research the IB credit policies for the various schools for which they wish to apply. Common places for such listings are under “Admissions” or “Registrar” tabs. Also, one could simply put “International Baccalaureate Credits” in a school’s search tab. If you cannot find the information, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions’ office; ask for “the individual who best understands how International Baccalaureate credits are recognized.”

MN Private Colleges and College Credit

The following is a summary of what individual colleges recognize and accept when first-year students have participated in Dual Enrollment options through the high school. Each college has different standards and benchmark requirements for credit earned through Dual Enrollment, included within the list below are guidelines for some of those requirements.

MN Private Colleges Dual Enrollment

How to prepare for the IB Program

Listed below are recommended courses to help prepare for the International Baccalaureate curriculum. The recommended courses provide a knowledge base and encourage further development of skills such as organization, time management, and determination that increase the likelihood of success in the IB program.

Requirements for the IB Program: There is no requirement to register for an IB course at GRHS however, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to register with UMD AND have the opportunity to earn college credit UMD credit through the CITS program.

IB GRHS Home

GRHS IB Policies

GRHS CITS

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