DP Overview
The Gold Standard College
Preparatory Program
The IB Diploma Program at SVHS
College-level Rigor with High School Level Supports
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (IB DP) provides motivated students an opportunity to pursue college-level courses based on a global perspective. Through comprehensive curricular coupled with challenging, authentic assessments, the IB Program is committed to ensure that all students master the skills and knowledge that empower them to become critical and compassionate thinkers, life-long learners, and informed citizens.
It is seen as the "gold standard" preparatory program for colleges due to its rigorous and diverse coursework, as well as its focus on creating well-rounded students. provides the opportunity to earn college credit. Seneca Valley's IB Program is an open-access, interest based IB Program. No entrance exam is required.
Students choose 1 course from each of the 6 "groups" or disciplines, as well as completing the DP "core," comprised of Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), the Extended Essay (EE), and the Theory of Knowledge (ToK).
Overview of IB DP Video
IB Alum share their experiences
Hibah Sayed
Hibah Sayed is a middle school teacher at Sligo Middle School with MCPS. She was an IB Diploma student in the Class of 2012.
Fairine Ahmed
Fairine Ahmed was part of the Class of 2020. She earned the prestigious Myeroff scholarship at UMBC that provided full tuition and board.
Why IB Diploma Program?
The Gold Standard College Preparatory Program
The average acceptance rate of IB student into university/ college is 22% higher than the average acceptance rate of the total population. The acceptance rate of IB students into Ivy League Institutions (Princeton, Yale, Brown, Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania) is between 3% and 13% higher compared to the total population acceptance rates!
A 2012 study of Chicago Public Schools interviewed Diploma Program (DP) alumni and found that students reported they felt prepared by the Diploma Program to succeed in college.
Students reported that they felt:
prepared to succeed and excel in their coursework
had strong academic skills, especially related to analytical writing
learned academic behaviors like work ethic, motivation, time management, and help seeking that were sources of strength in the transition to college level work
identified preparation in the IB program as the sources of their success as college students
IB students are better prepared for college!
What do Colleges & Universities say?
I don't think there is anyone who does not respect the IB!" -Brown University Admissions Officer
"...IB students who attended VA Tech as freshmen significantly outperformed all other freshmen, including students who had taken AP courses." - VA Tech Professor
"We expect students to take the most rigorous programs at their school." -UVA Admissions Counselor
"A transcript that reveals a student's enrollment in IB courses serves notice Admissions Officers that the applicant is someone who accepts rather then avoids educational challenges." -Univ. of Michigan Dir. of Admission
"...GPA is not nearly as important a factor in university admissions as the IB Diploma. If a student has to choose, choose the Diploma over protecting the GPA." - Harvard University Dean of Admission
IB Student Voices
"It prepared me for college - especially the EE!" -Grace, Class of 2020
"You CAN do this - don't listen to those that say it is too hard!" -Adryanna, Class of 2022
"We become a family - we support each other throughout!" -Daniela, Class of 2020
"IB helped build my confidence." -Rachel, Class of 2019
"As an IB student, you can still be very involved in activities and sports; I worked too!" - Ella, Class of 2021
"It helped me with all my classes in college; I am more prepared than my peers." - Corine, Class of 2020