The IB Diploma Program at Central
The IB Diploma Program at Central is an option for students in 11th and 12th grades who:
seek breadth and depth of knowledge across multiple disciplines
flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically
desire to study a World Language
excel in and enjoy traditional academic subjects
Our IB students spend their junior (11th grade) and senior (12th grade) years taking IB courses in 7 subject areas:
Group 1: Literature in English (HL English Lang/Lit is mandatory for all DP candidates)
Group 2: Language Acquisition (French or Spanish)
Group 3: Individuals and Societies (History, Psychology, Global Politics, Business Management, or Environmental Systems & Societies)
Group 4: Science (Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Systems & Societies)
Group 5: Mathematics (Applications & Interpretations or Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches)
Groups 6: The Arts or Other Elective (Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Film, or any other course form Groups 1-5)
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) - see below
Two additional components complete the IB Diploma: CAS and the Extended Essay.
(see below)
The Diploma Program Core
Theory of Knowledge
TOK is a two-year course that encourages students to explore how knowledge is constructed. TOK students strive to understand the nature of knowledge and what constitutes good thinking. IB students critically scrutinize knowledge, which helps them begin to understand its moral obligation
TOK Teachers
Larry Shaefer (Grade 11)
llshaefer@spsmail.org
Beth McIntyre (Grade 12)
brmcintyre@spsmail.org
CAS
Each IB Diploma Candidate develops skills for civic engagement by completing CAS experiences during the two years he or she is enrolled in the IB program. CAS experiences help students take on new challenges, work collaboratively with others, and develop new skills while engaging in issues of global and ethical importance.
CAS Coordinator
Sarah Gugliotta
sgugliotta@spsmail.org
Extended Essay
IB Diploma Candidate completes an independent, self-directed piece of research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper called the Extended Essay. Students begin researching their EE topics in the fall of 11th grade, write the draft of their paper in the spring of 11th grade, and submit their final paper in the fall of their 12th grade year.
Extended Essay Coordinator
Beth McIntyre
brmcintyre@spsmail.org
Earning the IB Diploma
To obtain the IB diploma, students must:
Complete IB courses in the 6 subject areas listed above, plus TOK.
Take 3 of those courses at Higher Level and 3 courses at Standard Level. One of the SL courses must be two years long if the student is only taking 3 HL courses.
Alternatively, students may take 4 HL courses and 2 SL courses
TOK is a two-year, mandatory course, but it does not count toward the HL/SL requirement.
Complete and reflect on CAS experiences
Earn a minimum of 24 points on IB exams, TOK, and the EE (Each exam is scored on a 1-7 scale; TOK/EE can earn the student 3 bonus points). Particulars:
The maximum points that can be awarded is 45 = ((6x7) + 3).
CAS requirements have been met.
There is no "N" awarded for TOK, the EE, or for a contributing subject.
There is no grade E awarded for TOK and/or the EE.
There is no grade 1 awarded in a subject/level.
There are no more than two grade 2s awarded (SL or HL).
There are no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (SL or HL).
The candidate has gained 12 points or more on HL subjects (for candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count).
The candidate has gained 9 points or more on SL subjects (candidates who register for two SL subjects must gain at least 5 points at SL).
The candidate has not received a penalty for academic misconduct from the Final Award Committee.
The Diploma Points Matrix
From The Diploma Programme Assessment Procedures 2023
