Earning the IB Diploma

Earning the IB Diploma

To earn the diploma students must successfully complete all internal and external assessments in their IB courses (see IB Course Subject Briefs for more information). Students must earn a total of 24 points out of a possible 45 points. In May of senior year, students will sit for a series of exams for each of their diploma courses. Exam scores are then combined with internally and externally assessed work from the previous two years to give students a score out of 7. Students can earn up to 42 points from their IB assessments. The remaining three points come from a combination of their Extended essay and Theory of Knowledge grade (see matrix). 

Students must take a combination of Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) courses - 4HL and 2 SL or 3HL and 3SL.

IB Diploma Failing Conditions

A student can fail the Diploma if any of the following conditions occur. Their IB Courses would still qualify for stand alone college credit.

• 1. CAS requirements have not been met

  2. Candidates total points are less than 24

  3. An N (No grade) has been given for ToK, EE or any IB course

  4. A grade E (failing condition) has been awarded for one or both of ToK and/or the EE

  5. Student earns a 1 in any subject

  6. Student earns a 2 in three or more subjects

  7. A 3 or below has been awarded four or more times in any subject/level

  8. Candidate has fewer than 12 points in their HL subjects. Candidates that enroll in 4 HL courses, the three highest grades will count

  9. Candidate has earned fewer than 9 points in their SL subjects. Candidates enrolled in 2 SL subjects (4HL) must gain at least 5 points from their SL courses

If students do not earn the required 24 points, or meet any of the failing conditions described above will still receive a grades and certificates for individual courses. Their individual course scores can still be considered by universities for transfer credit. 

Value of an IB Education

It is important to remember that the true value of an IB education isn’t the transfer credit. Transfer credit is a bonus. The true value and impact of an IB education is the level of college preparatory work students complete and the skills they learn. Our graduates come back and say two things about the IB program. First, it inspired them to continue using their skills and talents to give back locally, nationally, and internationally. IB graduates continue to engage in civic service locally, nationally, and internationally long after they have graduated. Second, graduates report they feel far more prepared for university than their non-IB peers - regardless of their diploma status. They report they are better able to handle the stresses, curriculum, and time management necessary for success at the university level. We want all our students to earn the diploma, but understand that is a secondary goal. Our primary goal is to nurture lifelong learners, inquirers, risk-takers, and civic leaders