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).  

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! 

• 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