International Baccalaureate Program
Central High School
IB Programs at Central High School
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (DP) is a rigorous pre-university course of study, leading to comprehensive, written examinations that meet the needs of the highly motivated secondary school student. The DP is a comprehensive curriculum that is recognized and respected by the world's leading universities. Evidence suggests that higher rates of DP students go on to university and higher education that non-IB students.
The International Baccalaureate Career-Related Program (CP) is a framework of international education that incorporates the values of the IB into a unique program addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education. CP students take a minimum of two IB Diploma Program courses. The program leads to further/higher education, apprenticeships or employment.
Full Diploma Program (Diploma Candidates)
9th-10th grade: Required schedule of honors courses designed to meet prerequisites of six DP courses.
11th-12th grade: Six DP courses and the DP core.
Full Career-Related Program (Career-Related Candidates)
9th-10th grade: Schedule of two or more honors courses chosen based on ability and interest.
11th-12th grade: Two or more DP courses, career-related courses and the CP core.
Individual Diploma Program Courses (Diploma Program Individual Course Candidates)
9th-10th grade: Schedule of at least one honors course based on ability and interest.
11th-12th grade: One or more DP courses of the student’s choice.
Please check our promotional video created by our very own CP Media students!
IB Students at Central Will...
Be encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning.
Take part in programs of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world.
Become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language.
Be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.
Develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics.
IB Application Information
The Central High School International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-Related Programs are now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. Any SPS student who wishes to participate in either program pathway should apply for admission by December 8th, 2023 of the 8th grade year. Students must complete the online application process as well as the Transitional Transfer request (found here) for students living outside of the Central High School attendance area, which must be completed by no later than December 8th at 4:30 pm. Non-SPS students may also apply, but must enroll with SPS and apply for a transfer as well (if applicable).
The application includes a short essay and should be completed by the student. Applicants will receive notification of admission status in late December. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. If a transfer is approved, the student may attend Central High School regardless of IB Program acceptance.
Families are invited to join us to learn about our IB Programs at our IB Information Night, October 17th at 6pm in the Central Auditorium. For more details about the IB programs and the 8thgrade application process, students and parents may wish to view a short video about the program or the informational presentation from the October IB Information Night.
Informational Meetings
IB Information Night for 8th Grade Families
Join us October 17th for an Informational Presentation in Central's Auditorium at 6:00 pm.
We will be covering information about the IB options at Central with the help of our Senior IB Ambassadors.
IB Information Night for CHS 10th Grade Families
Due to the snow day on 1/9/24 and 1/16/24, we have rescheduled our our IB Sophomore Information night to follow the 8th Grade Showcase on January 18th. We hope to begin at 7:00 pm in the auditorium.
We will be covering important program and course information for scheduling that begins in January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: We do not reside within the boundaries of Central High School. Can my student be accepted into the IB Programs as a transfer student?
A: Yes, if the student completes a Transitional Transfer (for 8th graders only), or an Immediate Transfer (for 8th grade students after the Transitional Transfer window has closed or students 9-11).
Q: My student is not currently enrolled with Springfield Public Schools. Can my student be accepted into the IB Program?
A. Non-SPS students may be accepted into IB only if they complete enrollment with their attendance zone school, then complete a transfer request form, which must be approved by Central's Principal.
Q: How long has CHS had an IB program?
A: The Diploma Program began in 1998, with the addition of the Middle Year's Program in 2004, followed by the Career-Related Program in 2015.
Q: Do students have to apply for acceptance into the IB Program?
A: Yes, but it is only an "Application of Intent," indicating that your student chooses to attend Central and pursue one of our IB Programs.
Q: Can students in 9th and 10th grades take IB Diploma courses?
A: No. Students must be enrolled in at least 11th grade to take an IB Diploma course.
Q: My son or daughter is enrolled in a foreign language other than Chinese, French, German, or Spanish. Can he or she complete an IB Diploma?
A: The only IB languages we offer at CHS French and Spanish, however there are opportunities to pursue a different language of interest with the IB Career-Related Program OR through IB's online learning platform, Pamoja (which comes with a higher cost).
Q: What grade weight is given to IB courses?
A: IB Diploma courses receive a weighted grade and count towards a student's weighted multiplier on a 5.0 scale.
Q: My student is not planning to attend college outside of the United States. Is there any reason for him/her to take IB courses?
A: Yes! IB coursework (especially as part of an IB Diploma) is recognized and valued by colleges in the U.S. In some cases, colleges grant more credit for IB courses than AP courses. Please visit the website of the college your son or daughter is interested in, and view their IB credit policy. Also keep in mind that the important thing is for students to be prepared for the workload they will have in college. Course credit is a secondary concern.
Q: How many students are enrolled in the IB Program at AHS?
A: All 9th and 10th graders are a part of the MYP, regardless of IB application. Each year, the Diploma Program has between 50-60 students in each grade cohort, and the Career-Related Program has between 40-50. All told, we are one of the biggest IB Programs in the area, and one of the only schools in the region to offer all three programs!
Q: Is IB only for gifted students?
A: No! While many of our gifted middle school students Scholars continue on as IB students, the majority of our IB students are not. Driven, focused, and hardworking students make the most successful IB students, whether they are gifted or not!
Q: My child is in middle school/ 9th grade/ 10th grade. What should he/ she do now to prepare for entrance into the IB Program? A: We encourage potential IB students to prepare themselves for the rigorous coursework in grades 11 and 12 by taking as many honors courses in grades 9 and 10 as possible. This helps to prepare for the transition to a full load of IB courses by the time they enter either the DP or CP. Students wishing to pursue the IB Diploma should also be enrolled in a world language in grades 9 and 10 in order to be prepared for the DP world language level. They also need to have finished either Algebra 2 or Pre-Calculus before 11th grade if they wish to pursue Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL), and they need to finish Algebra 2 by their junior year in order to take Mathematics Applications and Interpretations (SL).