IB Academic Pathway Information

Our IB Prep program (grades 9 and 10) is designed to give 9th and 10th graders the content and skills needed to be successful when they enter IB formally as a Junior.

** Items to remember/consider: We encourage our IB Prep students to take Economics and PE in 9th grade to meet the Jefferson County Public School's  graduation requirements.  It can be difficult to fit those courses in once they begin their IB courses.

When IB Diploma students register for their Jr. year, they must create a 2 year plan- for both Jr. and Sr. year. 

Over the course of their Junior and Senior year, all  IB Diploma students take and test in 6 IB subjects or "Groups".  Students will choose 3 Standard Level (SL) courses and 3 Higher Level (HL) courses.  Students may test in up to 2 SL subjects as juniors (except SL Chinese ab initio).   Students will test in all HL courses senior year.  In addition to their tests in May, for each subject, students are also required to complete an Internal Assessment (IA).  Students complete the IA with their teacher's guidance.  Subject teachers score the IA, and scores are sent to IB.  IB asks for samples of the IAs and moderates scores accordingly. 

IB Terms and Abbreviations document- click here

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IB Subject Groups and courses offered:

Group 1: Language A (English)

                HL Language and Literature- 2 year course

Group 2: World Language

                SL/HL French- 2 year course

                SL/HL Spanish- 2 year course                 (all students take their World Language in 9th and 10th grade as 

                SL Chinese ab initio- 2 year course          prerequisites for their IB World Language)

SL Chinese - 2 year course

Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Social studies):

                HL European History- 2 year course

                SL Social and Cultural Anthropology- 1 year course

                ***both HL History and SL Soc./Cultural Anthro. meet the Jefferson County World History graduation requirement

                SL/HL Business Management- SL- 1 year course/HL- 2 year course

                SL Psychology- 1 year course

Group 4: Science

                HL Biology- 2 year course

                SL/HL Chemistry- both 2 year courses

                SL Physics- 1 year course with Honors Physics as a prerequisite

                SL Environmental Systems and Societies- 1 year course

Group 5: Math

                HL Math- Approaches and Analysis- 2 year course

                SL Math- Approaches and Analysis- 1 year course with Honors Pre-Calculus or Pre-Calculus as a prerequisite

                SL Math- Applications and Interpretations (statistics/intro to calculus) - 1 year course with at least Honors Algebra 2 , Algebra 2 (with summer homework and teacher approval) and/or Pre-Calculus as a prerequisite

Group 6: Electives

                SL/HL Theatre- SL- 1 year course/HL- 2 year course

                SL Film- SL- 1 year course

                SL/HL Visual Arts- SL- 1 year course/HL- 2 year course

                Students may also take any SL/HL course from any group for their IB Elective course

IB Core:

Theory of Knowledge (TOK):  All IB Diploma students will take TOK 2nd semester of their Jr. year and 1st semester of their Sr. year. 

Extended Essay (EE): Students are introduced to the EE through their TOK class in Jan. of their Jr. year.  They work with a faculty advisor beginning in the Spring of their Jr. year through the EE submission date in Oct. of their Sr. year.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS):  I present CAS to students in their IB English 11 class at the beginning of the year.  They participate in  CAS activities from the beginning of their Jr. year through the end of their Sr. year