Who can take IB courses?

Any student can take up to three IB courses without completing an application by folllowing the annual, school-wide registration protocols.

Who gets into the IB Diploma Program?

JCHS believes the IB Diploma Program should be open to all students. There is no minimum GPA requirement. However, students should be able to demonstrate the self-management and time management skills required to balance multiple challenging courses as well as non-academic commitments. 

The admissions committee will consider a variety of factors when holistically assessing IB Diploma Program applicants. Some factors include: 

• Prerequisite courses

• Regular school attendance

• Past course rigor and grades

• Extracurricular involvement and interests

What classes do I need as a freshmen and sophomore in order to succeed in the IB diploma program?

Students who follow the district's course sequencing for graduation requirements will generally be prepared for the IB program.  Typically, we recommend that students take Honors and AP options where available, but any committed student who is on track to graduate can be successful in the IB program.

Prerequisites: 

Students who do not complete these courses as underclassmen may need to "double up" on academics as juniors, leaving less room for electives.

English

• 9th Grade Lit. & Comp. or  Honors 9th Grade Lit. & Comp. 

• 10th Grade Lit. & Comp. or  Honors  10th Grade Lit. & Comp. or  AP Language

Math

• Algebra or  Honors Algebra

• Geometry or  Honors Geometry

• Advanced Algebra or  Honors Advanced Algebra

Science

• Biology or  Honors Biology

• Chemistry or  Honors Chemistry

Social Studies

• Government or  AP Government

• World History or  AP World History

Electives

• Health & PE

• Spanish 1 or  French 1

• Spanish 2 or  French 2

Additional recommendations:

Students who are ahead in any subject area should consider taking these classes as underclassmen, in order to better prepare for the IB program.

• AP Precalculus or  Honors Precalculus or  AP Statistics

• AP Human Geography

• Physics or  Honors Physics

How and when do I apply?

Students can apply to the IB program during their freshmen or sophomore years. Admissions will be a continual process and students should apply as early as possible in order to receive individual academic advisement from the IB coordinator during the fall and spring course registration periods.

Applying as a freshman:

Students who wish to participate in the IB Diploma Program may apply early during their freshmen years in order to receive individual academic advisement from the IB coordinator.  Freshmen will either be accepted on a conditional basis or be asked to apply again as sophomores. Students who are conditionally accepted as freshmen will not complete an IB Commitment Form until March 10th of their sophomore year.

Applying as a sophomore:

Sophomores who wish to participate in the IB Diploma Program should complete the online application no later than February 10th.  Applying early in the first semester will ensure sophomores receive academic advising during the fall registration period.

Students will be notified of their status by March 1st. Students who are accepted need to complete an IB Commitment Form by March 10th. 

Automatic acceptance:

Students who are academically in the top 10% of their class after the fall semester of their sophomore year will be automatically accepted to the IB Diploma Program. These students will be notified of their status by January 10th. 

Students who receive an invitation stating they have been automatically accepted need to complete an IB Commitment Form by March 10th.

Application review process:

Decisions regarding placement in the JCHS IB Diploma Program will be made by the IB coordinator and counselor, with input from teachers listed by the applicant for referrals . 

If the IB coordinator and counselor have any concerns about an applicant, a meeting will be scheduled with the parent and student to review the concerns and explain the expectations of the program. Ultimately, an informed student can select to participate in the IB Diploma Program with the consent of a guardian, permitting there are remaining seats in the program. 

Transfer students:

Students who transfer after the application deadline should notify their counselor or the IB coordinator if they are interested in participating in the program as soon as possible. Exceptions may be made for these students if circumstances permit.

Information about the IB program will be disseminated to parents during informational nights at JCHS and to underclassmen during scheduled course visits from IB diploma and course candidates. We will also deliver information to students through advisement and counseling sessions as part of our yearly course registration process. An IB faculty representative will be available periodically for student questions during the school year at JCHS, including 8th Grade Advisement Night. All JCHS teachers will be educated about the programs and encouraged to nominate students who may be a good match for the academic rigor and IB learner type. Additionally, we will reach out to parents and students with our active school social media networks. 

• Students who participate in the IB Diploma Program are required to pay for program registration and fees for exams. We will do our best to work with families to find another source of payment when necessary. 

• Students who register for a two-semester course are required to take both semesters of the course.

• Students who wish to decommit from the IB Diploma Program will be permitted to do so, after a meeting with the IB coordinator, IB counselor, and guardians. Students already in the program who wish to decommit will have to finish out the semester without any schedule changes.