• The premiere globally-recognized college preparatory curriculum

• Focuses on the whole student: academics and beyond

• Unique and varied assessment: writing, speaking, presenting, and creating instead of multiple choice

• Option to take individual classes or join the Foundations Cohort or Diploma Cohort

• Students own their learning through reflection, choice in assignments and focus, and finding meaning through real-world, global connections

• The best preparation for college, teaching students to write at length, think critically, and become practiced speakers and presenters

• Good for students who want more time to dive deeply into subjects and discuss them

• Good for students who want to show their learning in different ways and are willing to try new things

• Embeds skills of self-reflection, collaboration, risk-taking, principled action, and open-mindedness

IB students are varied in many ways. We have future valedictorians and students who have never taken an advanced class, those who are already strong writers or speakers and those who know they need to improve in those areas, some who have always loved school and others who are looking for a place where they can find more meaning. Our IB students represent the full diversity of backgrounds and experiences you find at AHS, each bringing their unique viewpoints and talents to discussions and projects.

IB students tend to enjoy (and/or want to build skills) discussing ideas, sharing their thoughts, and considering other points of view. They often have a desire to somehow make the world a better place, a goal the IB curriculum explicitly supports. They tend to be caring, thoughtful, and dedicated, all skills which are fostered in IB. 

• Our Diploma Cohort students take a full set of IB courses: English, History, Science, Math, Second Language, and an IB Elective. They also take the Theory of Knowledge class, which connects all of the courses and explores how we know what we know. These students are given extra support by teachers and the coordinator and get all of the benefits of an IB education. Diploma Cohort students may receive the IB diploma in recognition of success in each of these areas of study, and students who earn the diploma may receive even more college credit or scholarship money.

• Our Foundations Cohort students take four IB courses, three of which must be in the core subjects of English, History, Math, or Science.

• Both Diploma Cohort and Foundations Cohort students will engage in reflection and planning for activities beyond their academics, building skills and knowledge that will help them in college and beyond.

• IB courses are also open-enrollment, meaning that any student may take any IB course.