IB Courses

Every authorized IB Diploma Programme school community has the opportunity to chart its course within IB by choosing the courses that best reflect the needs of the school.

IB Diploma Programme students take courses in six content "groups" in grades 11 and 12. Most of these courses take place across both years, but a few can be completed in one year. Three or four of these courses are at the Higher Level (HL), and two or three are at the Standard Level (SL). HL classes involve more time in class and opportunities for exploration, so students have the opportunity to emphasize their strengths and interests in the program they choose.

In addition to the six content groups, students take an "IB Core" class in both years, which includes the following:

• Studies in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), which compares, contrasts, and links the six disciplines

• Researching and writing the Extended Essay (EE), a 4000-word research paper on a topic chosen by the student

• Completing and reflecting on 18 months of Creativity Activity Service (CAS), the heart of the program, which carries learning from the classroom and into the world.

Students earn one extra quality point for each course designated as IB on their transcript. We strive to also afford room in their schedule for one or two additional courses per year, which could be graduation requirements or electives.

Hoggard DP Courses Offered

• Theory of Knowledge 2 years

  • Prerequisites: IB Diploma Student

• Group 1 - Language A = Language and Literature (HL) 2 years

  • Prerequisites: Hon English I, II

  • Internal Oral Assessment: 15 minute discussion about 2 texts and their relationship to a global issue

• Group 2 - Language B = French (SL), Spanish (SL/HL) 

  • SL= 1 year and HL=2 years

  • Prerequisites: at least three levels of Spanish or French

  • (IB HL Spanish requires four levels Spanish and IB SL French recommends four levels of French)

  • Internal Oral Assessment: 15 minute discussion in studied language based on an image

• Group 3 - Individuals and Societies =

  • History of the Americas Route 2 & Twentieth Century World Topics (HL) 2 years

    • Prerequisites: Hon Civ or AP Gov and Hon World or AP World 

    • Internal Assessment: A 2200 word historical investigation/research paper

  • Psychology (SL) 1 year/every-other year

    • Prerequisites: None

    • Internal Assessment: 1800-2200 word explanation of an investigation the student conducts

• Group 4 - Natural Science =

  • Biology (HL) 2 years

    • Prerequisites: Hon Bio and Hon Chem

    • Internal Assessment: 2500 word Bio investigation which includes an experiment with analysis

  • Chemistry (SL)

    • SL= 1 year and HL=2 years

    • Prerequisites: Hon Bio and Hon Chem

    • Internal Assessment: 2200 word chemistry  investigation which includes an experiment with analysis

  • Sports, Exercise, and Health Science (SL)-1 year/every-other year

    • Prerequisites: Hon Bio and Hon Chem

    • Internal Assessment: 2200 word sports exercise/health investigation which includes an experiment with analysis

• Group 5 - Mathematics =

  • Math: Applications & Interpretation (SL) 2 years

    • Prerequisites: Hon Math 3

    • Internal Assessment: 12-20 pages (including graphs) of math being applied to everyday life (Example: Using statistics to predict fantasy football outcomes.)

  • Math: Analysis & Approaches (SL/HL) 2 years

    • Prerequisites: Pre-calculus

    • Internal Assessment: 12-20 pages (including graphs) of math being applied to everyday life (Example: Using statistics to predict fantasy football outcomes.)

• Group 6 - Arts =

  • Visual Arts (SL) 2 years

    • Prerequisites: None

    • Internal Assessment: An Exhibition of Artwork

    • Exams are replaced with a Process Portfolio and Written Comparative Study

  • Dance (SL) 1 year

    • Prerequisites: None

    • Internal Assessment: A Dance Performance

    • Exams are replaced with a Choreographed Dance and Written Dance Investigation

  • Theatre (SL) 1 year

    • Prerequisites: None

    • Internal Assessment: A Theatre Performance

    • Exams are replaced with a Self-Produced Scene and Written Theatre Investigation

(This course selection list is subject to change.)