INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Parkland Secondary School is proud of its innovative, inspiring and inclusive learning environment that is further enhanced by the addition of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Parkland is the only English speaking public school on southern Vancouver Island that is offering the IB Diploma Program for students in their final two years of high school. The IB Diploma Program prepares students for participation in a rapidly evolving and increasingly global society as they develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and ethically while acquiring skills that will prepare them for further education and life in the 21st century. Universities across Canada and around the world regard the IB program as excellent preparation for university entrance. Parkland Secondary School is pleased to work with parents on transportation and accommodation requirements for those students who are not residents of the Peninsula or Victoria. For more information visit Parkland IB or IBO.

International Baccalauareate Diploma Program

The Diploma Program is a two year program that starts at the beginning of grade 11 and is completed at the end of grade 12. Students completing the IB Diploma Program will also fulfill requirements for a BC Dogwood graduation diploma. Students choosing the full Diploma Program over just individual courses will benefit from increased rigor, improved university applications and a more well rounded education experience. There is more information available on the Parkland IB Website.


The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP) is made up of the Diploma Program Core and six subject groups.


The three Diploma Program Core Courses are comprised of:


Students must select 6 subjects one from each of the following subject categories:


Students doing the full IB Diploma must take three subjects at a Higher Level (HL) and three subjects at a Standard Level (SL) as well as complete the three Core components.

International Baccalauareate Course Program

Parkland will be offering students the option to complete individual IB subjects:


Students who do not want to complete the full Diploma Program are able to choose one or more of the IB courses to take alongside their BC secondary school courses. This option is ideal for students who wish to pursue some of the other electives that Parkland offers while still being able to take individual IB courses.


Upon completion of IB courses students will receive a certificate from IB International indicating which IB courses were completed.

Course Descriptions

Group 1: Language and Literature (HL)

Language and Literature (HL) is a two year course that examines the nature of language and its use in literature. By examining literature from diverse origins and times, students will look at how we use language to understand topics such as gender, power, social relations, history and other cultures. Students will have the opportunity to examine great works of fiction in a variety of formats from diverse writers.


Completion of this course covers both English 11 and English Studies 12 and an IB grade of 5 or higher can earn first year university credit for English.


Group 2: French (SL)

This course takes place over one year. French (SL) provides students the opportunity to explore, in depth, the literary and cultural aspects of the French-speaking world including excerpts of notable works of literature. There will be a variety of topics covered from bias in the media, to the role and development of language in migration, to name just a few. Students will complete regular oral and written evaluations in the form of presentations, compositions, summaries, posters, blogs, letters, videos and audio recordings. French (SL) aims to provide an enriching and challenging environment for the enthusiastic language-learner.


Group 3: History (HL)

The History (HL) course allows students the opportunity to take an in-depth analysis of the 20th century. As an HL course, the curriculum requires three semesters of study and students can receive first year university credit for a number of post-secondary institutions. The first semester will cover the Interwar period in Europe including the rise of nationalism and totalitarianism in a number of countries and the build up to World War Two. Students will also look at World War Two and will also begin their historical investigation on a topic of their choosing. The second semester will primarily focus on the Cold War and will include case studies of authoritarian states in Cuba and China. The final semester will analyze the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and the impact this regime had on the world.


Group 4: Chemistry (SL)

Chemistry (SL) provides the foundational skills and knowledge for students well-prepared for first year chemistry at university. Two main ideas are at the centre of this course: Structure of Matter (the nature of matter from simple to more complex forms) and Reactivity of Matter (how and why chemical reactions occur). Topics covered include Atomic Theory and the Periodic Table, the Mole concept and Stoichiometry, Organic Chemistry, Ionic and Covalent Bonding and Structure, Intermolecular forces, Electrons in Atoms, Reaction Kinetics and Bond Energies, Chemical Equilibria, Acids and Bases, and Electrochemistry.

The skills required for the study of chemistry will be emphasized throughout the course. These include: experimental techniques, technology, mathematics, exploring and designing, collecting and processing data, and concluding and evaluating. All students will complete a self-directed experiment for their internal assessment, which will encompass all of these skills. A significant part of the course will be dedicated to laboratory work.

Group 4: Biology (HL)

This course will give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of biology for university. The course is covered over a two year period over three semesters of study. Depending on the result in the course, students can receive first year university credit at some post-secondary institutions. Core Topics covered include Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity and Human Physiology. Additional higher level topics include Nucleic Acids, Metabolism (cellular respiration and photosynthesis), Plant Biology, Genetics and Evolution and Animal Physiology. There is also an extended unit on Human Physiology that will be covered.


All students will complete a self-directed experiment for their internal assessment, as well as participate in the collaborative, cross-disciplinary Group 4 Sciences project.


Group 5: Mathematics (SL)

This course will give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of math for university. The topics covered in this course are Algebra, Functions and Equations, Circular Functions and Trigonometry. Statistics and Probability, Vectors, and finally Calculus. This course is taken over two years. The first year will cover from Algebra to Statistics and the second year will cover Vectors and Calculus.


Students will have to write an essay on a mathematical topic of their choice. Students will be expected to learn how to use a graphic display calculator.

Core Components

Extended Essay (Diploma Students)

The Extended Essay is an academic, 4000 word paper written on a subject and topic of the student’s choosing. Students will work on this essay throughout the 2 year Diploma program, and will be paired up with a subject area teacher to support their in depth explorations into their extended essay. Diploma students will meet with the Extended Essay Coordinator regularly to keep track of their progress and receive assistance in the writing process. Students will be expected to work on this essay in the summer between Grade 11 and 12.


CAS - Creativity, Activity, Service (Diploma Students)

CAS is a course that affords students the unique opportunity to create and also participate in a variety of meaningful activities that will help benefit their local and global communities. The course will help students focus on issues of significance as well as the benefits of working collaboratively with others to try and help solve them.

CAS students will be required to meet regularly with their CAS advisor in order to identify and plan engaging CAS activities, document their progress as each activity is completed, and most importantly reflect on their overall experiences. For Diploma students, the CAS course will last approximately 18 months and involve three formalized interview sessions on top of the regular check-ins; each diploma student will have the flexibility to choose how and when each of their activities will take place over the duration of the course.


Theory of Knowledge (Diploma + Certificate Students)

The Theory of Knowledge course is fundamental to the educational philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Program. What makes TOK different from other classes is that you will think about knowledge and what it means to know, rather than learn new knowledge as such. 

 

The primary focus of the course is to encourage critical reflection on the diverse "ways of knowing" and how they relate to the different subject areas. All of these areas are examined within the framework of four elements (scope, methods & tools, perspectives, ethics), which are central to the course. Through class discussions, written reflections, and oral presentations, students are encouraged to reflect on the way knowledge impacts our interconnected world and examine their roles as thinkers and creators of knowledge. If you enjoy reflective thinking, the study of ethics, morals, philosophy and wonder, “How do we know what we know?”, then this is absolutely the course for you! 


TOK is a required 2-year course for the IB diploma program, but it is not limited to students in that program. Any student can take TOK to develop a better understanding of the construction and use of knowledge in various areas of life. It is important, however, to understand that you need to commit to the full two years in order to receive credit. The course runs within the IB English class schedule, as well as after school on Wednesdays. Non-IB students will be awarded 4 credits upon successful completion.