IB and AP Programs, Exams & Grade Projections/Predictions

JIS and External Examination Boards

At JIS we are lucky to be able to offer both the International Baccalaureate and the Advanced Placement Programs. We regard both programs as distinct but equally valuable. Thus the choice of which pathway to pursue is entirely dependent on which matches best the profile of the individual student

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) provides rigorous university-level curriculum and assessment for courses in the final two years of high school. IB Courses may be taken individually or as part of the IB Diploma Program (DP). The IB is widely recognized by colleges and universities and highly respected worldwide. Students who complete the IB Diploma Program or Courses may be granted credit or allowed to take more advanced courses in many colleges and universities.

To earn an IB Diploma, in contrast to taking individual Courses, a student must successfully complete the Core of the DP as well as the required distribution of Courses. The three elements of the Core are: (1) the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, (2) Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), and (3) the Extended Essay (EE). The Course distribution requires one course each in the following Groups: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, science, math, and one additional course which may be in the arts or an second course in one of the aforementioned groups. Three of these courses must be taken at the Higher Level (HL) and three at the Standard Level (SL).

 JIS offers the following IB Courses in each Group (subject to sufficient enrollment). Courses are offered at both the HL and SL levels unless otherwise noted.

IB Course Offerings

Core - Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Group 1 - Studies in Language and Literature (Language A)

Group 2 - Language Acquisition (Language B)

Group 3 - Individuals and Societies

Group 4 - Sciences

Group 5 - Mathematics

Group 6 - The Arts (all HL only)

* Environmental Systems and Societies (SL) is a trans-disciplinary course, which can be taken as either a Group 3 or Group 4 or both.

Guidance for Students wishing to take 4 HL courses as part of their IB Diploma 20/21

The school position is that in most cases taking 4 Higher Level courses is strongly not advised. Moreover, doing so can be counter productive by lowering overall diploma scores for students due to the increased burden impacting all subjects and in turn this can harm university applications. Furthermore, four higher levels could be seen as contradicting our commitment to balance and holistic education so we do typically advise against it. That said, taking four higher levels  is not forbidden and if you do wish to take four higher levels we would ask that you put a lot of thought and careful consideration into your decision. Here are the specific steps to take if you wish to take four higher levels:

Once these steps have all been satisfied, and you have been given approval it is possible to undertake four higher level subjects as part of an IB Diploma program at JIS.

Important note: As four Higher Levels are not part of a standard diploma and in order to ensure a level ‘playing field’ there will be no direct or indirect advantage given to students with four HL courses being considered for  valedictorian or other academic awards.

Advanced Placement (AP)

The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program provides rigorous university-level curriculum and assessment for courses in the final two years of high school.

AP Courses may be taken individually or as part of the AP Capstone Diploma Program. The AP is widely recognized and highly respected by hundreds of colleges and universities in the US and more than fifty countries outside the US. Students who complete the AP Capstone Program or courses may be granted credit or allowed to take more advanced courses in many colleges and universities.

To earn an AP Capstone Diploma, a student must take and pass AP Seminar, AP Research, and four additional AP courses of their choosing. Students who take and pass only AP Seminar and AP Research, but not four additional AP Courses will earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

JIS offers the following AP courses in each discipline (subject to sufficient enrollment). 

AP Course offerings 

AP Capstone

English

Social Studies

Science

Mathematics

Creative Arts

Grade Projections/Predictions

University/College IB Projected Grades

Why Project Grades?

University "Projected IB grades" are a critical college application element for the vast majority of our students. The formal "IB Predicted Grades" are used internally by the IB as a tool to judge school accuracy in terms of assessment and IB Diploma delivery. The IB Predicted Grades are not used to determine student scores and are released only to the IB.

Schedule for University IB Projected Grades and IB Predicted Grades

University Projected Grades are produced two* times during the Senior year. 

Due: mid-October. A small number of students may require PGs before this date and counselors will deal with those on a case by case basis. 

Due: mid-December before break- 12th December

*April - Closed IB Predicted Grades for the purpose of program evaluation by the IBO - these are not shared with universities.


Considerations

3 points 37-42
2 points 25-36
1 point 0-24


Criteria for Judgement - In Order of Importance