FAQ's

Hoggard IB Diploma Programme Q&A

1. What is the application process for this program?

   • The Hoggard Pre-Diploma Programme follows the NHCS Signature Programs common application process and timeline.  A full outline of the process can be found on the Hoggard IB webpage as well as the NHCS Signature Programs page. 

2. What criteria do you use to select students to attend?

   • Pre-Diploma applicants are evaluated and selected based on a scoring rubric to include the following elements, middle school grades, rigor of courses taken, standardized test scores, middle school attendance, and a personal video. Teacher recommendations and character recommendations are also reviewed. (For more information, visit the Admissions page of the Hoggard IB webpage.)

3. Does an IB student have to take a foreign language?

   • Earning an IB Diploma does require a student to study a second language throughout high school. Hoggard currently offers IB French and Spanish.

4. Is Group 6/Arts both Dance and Visual Arts or can you just choose 1 of those?

   • Students are asked to choose 1 course from each of the 6 groups of study. IB allows for a Group 6 substitution from another group if they are not interested in the arts.

5. If your child is districted to go to a different high school, how are students selected to be a part of this program?

   • Students’ districted school is not considered in the application process. If a student is accepted and elects to attend, they can apply for Open Choice enrollment. As long as the student remains in the program, Open Choice will be granted. If a student elects to exit any program, they will be reassigned to their districted school. The student will need to re-apply for Open Choice enrollment, but there are no guaranteed spaces.

6. How does the curriculum for this program differ from the traditional curriculum at Hoggard?

   • Hoggard offers a variety of courses to include CTE, Honors, AP and IB courses. The IB's programmes are different from other curricula because they:

     1.  encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions, 

     2. develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools

     3. encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts

     4. develop multilingual students.

     5. Promotes the development of the whole learner, rather than specialty knowledge within a certain course

   • For information, visit ibo.org.

7. What is your acceptance rate?

   • We are prepared to offer 60 seats to our incoming freshman class each year to those applicants who score a qualifying score on the application score.

8. How is this program alike/different from AP or Honor's Classes?

   • IB and AP courses are alike in that they are both rigorous, weighted, university prep courses that are both considered the highest level of courses a student can take in high school.  IB focuses on learning subjects deeply within the context of an interdisciplinary curriculum, while AP is more fast-paced and encourages students to learn as much as possible in a subject in a short amount of time.

   • Additionally, the IB Diploma incorporates an additional requirement of the Core (TOK, EE, CAS.)

9. What percentage of your IB Diploma Candidates receive the IB Diploma?

   • The Hoggard Diploma Programme has had a 100% graduation rate for all of its three graduating cohorts. The IB Diploma success rates for our previous years are 2018 – 85%, 2019 – 76%, 2020 – 96%, 2021- 96%, 2022-100%, 2023-96%

10. If a student is selected for the program, do they remain all 4 years?  What requirements must be met to stay in the program?

• When a student enters the 9th grade Pre-DP program, the intent is for them to continue throughout the four years, entering the DP in 11th grade. For more information on the process, visit the Admissions page of the Hoggard IB website.

11. Can you earn a college degree or any college credits?

    • Qualifying scores on IB assessments can be used at universities towards required courses. Policies vary depending on the university. IB courses are not dual enrollment courses, however some IB students are also able to earn dual enrollment credit as well. Each student’s schedule is unique in this nature.

12. Are any art classes offered?

    • Yes, we offer IB visual arts. Outside of the program, we also offer Ceramics.

13. Do you take freshmen and is the program on campus?

    • Students are able to apply and enter the program at 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. The program is fully on campus.

14. How many people can get into this course?

    • For each rising freshman cohort, we are prepared to offer up to 60 placements provided the student is a qualifying applicant.

15. Is the pre IB program available for students not in Hoggard's district?

    • Yes, accepted students are able to apply for Open Choice Enrollment. Open Choice Pre-DP students who choose to exit the program (at any point) will be reassigned to their districted school and must re-apply for Open Choice if they desire to continue attending Hoggard.

16. What should out of district students concentrate on for Pre-IB requirements if not enrolled?

    • The requirements for Pre-DP students should be completed prior to entering the DP. Please see our PreDP requirements for specific courses.

17. Are the classes college level for IB students?

    • Yes, just like AP, IB courses are advanced, college level curriculum.