Choosing your IB Path

At Purcell Marian, every student participates in IB, beginning with IB Language and Literature, the required English course for all juniors and seniors. From this shared foundation, students choose how to deepen their IB experience—either by pursuing the full IB Diploma or by enrolling in additional IB courses that align with their interests, strengths, and goals. Choosing an IB path is a collaborative process, with students working closely with advisors and teachers to ensure a balanced, appropriately challenging course load.

Below, learn about the different IB pathways available to students, how courses fit together, which subjects have prerequisites, and how students plan their IB experience through advising and scheduling.

IB PATHWAYS AT A GLANCE

PLANNING YOUR IB EXPERIENCE

Choosing an IB path is a guided and flexible process.

• IB planning begins during spring course scheduling for the following year.

• Students indicate IB interests while departments develop placement recommendations.

• Counselors work with students and teachers to finalize schedules.

• IB pathways are reviewed annually, and students may adjust their path as interests and readiness evolve.
  
  

PREPARATION & PREREQUISITES

Some IB courses require specific preparation, and early course choices can shape future IB options. While all students enroll in IB Language and Literature as juniors and seniors, students interested in additional IB courses or the IB Diploma are encouraged to plan ahead. Key considerations include:

IB Spanish requires at least two years of Spanish, making early enrollment in Spanish important for students interested in the Diploma.

IB Mathematics requires completion of Algebra II. Some students meet this requirement through math acceleration during 9th or 10th grade or through summer coursework.

The Honors track provides strong preparation for IB coursework. Students not initially placed in Honors courses are encouraged to work toward Honors placement through sustained effort and communication with teachers and counselors. Strong habits in reading, writing, organization, and time management support success across all IB pathways.

INCLUSIVE ACCESS TO IB

IB believes in an inclusive approach to education that seeks to remove or reduce barriers so that all students can fully participate in and benefit from IB programs. Purcell Marian is committed to implementing this approach across IB coursework and assessments.

Inclusive Classroom Support: IB teachers collaborate with CS3 Intervention Specialists to support inclusive instructional practices. Classroom accommodations and supports are implemented in alignment with student learning needs.

Inclusive Access Arrangements for IB Assessments: The IB Coordinator works closely with CS3 to request inclusive access arrangements from IB for both internal and external assessments, when appropriate. These arrangements may apply to coursework, exams, or other assessed components.

Required Documentation and Timeline: In September of senior year, families of CS3 students enrolled in IB courses will be asked to complete a Consent to Release Form, in addition to the IB Student Registration Form. This consent allows relevant documentation to be shared with IB to support accommodation requests. Families and students are typically notified before winter break regarding whether IB has approved, denied, or requested additional information related to the request.

See our IB Access & Inclusion Policy for additional context.