Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the IB Program only for “gifted” students?

Although it certainly helps to be “bright,” anybody can join the IB program.  Many students who successfully complete the program come from “gifted” programs at their middle schools, however successful completion of the program is not always connected to students coming from “gifted” programs.  Quick learners may have an easier transition into high school and the IB program, but the most important factor is the students willingness to work hard. The four most important factors leading to success in the IB program are: attending class, asking teachers questions and for clarification about material presented, completing assigned work, and keeping up with the pacing of the class. 

2. Can I fit this all into my schedule?  (I want to do choir, seminary, and soccer, for example.)  

Fitting in “everything” can be difficult, however with some forethought and planning, many IB students successfully participate in athletics, music/drama, Granite Technical Institute classes, and/or LDS seminary.  There are often a few students who are able to “do it all,” but it takes planning and flexibility. Often, by a student's junior year, they are able to prioritize. This is a life skill that takes practice, discussions and an open mind.  Taking online classes in the summer to complete some graduation requirements and/or taking early morning seminary for some students may be necessary for students wanting to be involved in multiple academic programs. The IB faculty at Skyline does an amazing job at making schedules work in a way that students can pursue their interests.

3. How hard will I expect to work?

Students who participate in the IB program can expect to work hard.  This is a college preparatory program. How hard a student works varies a great deal depending on (1) the classes you take and (2) previous exposure to challenging classes and (3) how efficient students are with tackling assigned work.  Students who ask questions and seek help will be much more efficient understanding and grasping new concepts.  

4. Do IB students have a social life?

Yes, IB students carry on vigorous social lives.  They make friends both inside and outside the program.  They hang out with friends, just like all other teenagers.  Most successful students learn how to budget their time early on in the program. Reviewing material from class is the best way to stay on top of the subject matter from class.  

5. Will this program get me into an Ivy League type of school, like Harvard or Cal Tech?

This is a very common question that students and parents ask when contemplating their participation in the IB Program.  You should know that these types of schools have acceptance rates between 6-12%. Acceptance into highly selective schools is incredibly competitive. Colleges are looking for students who are prepared, understand rigor in course work and are able to find solutions to problems they encounter. Selective universities understand the demands and criteria required to earn an IB Diploma.   

6. Where do IB students go to college?

Please see our most recent cohort's college choices, plus a running list of college admissions, on this page.

7. What percentage of students finish the program?

About 60% of the students who begin the program as freshmen will finish as seniors with the full diploma.  Many students who do not complete the “whole” program will take some IB classes and earn certificates. Our retention rate has improved significantly as students, parents, and faculty come to understand how to be successful in the program. 

8. How much does the program cost?

Over the course of 4 years, expect about $1,200 total. Senior year is the highest price tag due to the increase number of IB exams and IB course enrollments. Junior year is in between, while freshman and sophomore years have the lowest cost.

9. What is the demographic makeup of the IB cohort?

We are proud to have a diverse IB program here at Skyline.  About 51% of the students are white, about 35% are Asian, and about 14% are Hispanic, African-American, Multiracial, or other groups.  

10. What are the prerequisites for entering the Skyline IB Program?  

Skyline IB is a self selective program. The only entrance requirements are to be enrolled at Skyline and submit our IB Program Application.  It is recognized that students come to Skyline with diverse exposure to academics in their middle schools. We recommend that students have had taken some Honors classes in middle school and that their grades reflect an interest and motivation to learn.  Students that haven’t taken any challenging classes in middle school need to be aware that the level of work and the teacher expectations of learning is much higher than most middle school experiences. Students need to know the difference between saying, “I’m going to do 20 hours of homework a week,” versus actually committing to do it. Starting a second language in 7th or 8th grade is advised for students taking French or Spanish. Students may begin with Mandarin as a Freshman if they do not have the language background or are not interested in taking an online language class prior to their Freshman year. 

11. What is the difference between AP and IB?

Several things: (1) AP is compartmentalized into individual classes; the IB diploma goes for the “whole student” approach.  (2) AP stresses memorization of facts; IB goes for analysis. (3) AP covers the material broadly, but shallowly; IB goes narrow, but deep.  To be fair, AP is not only about regurgitation, and IB certainly requires a fair amount of regurgitation.  However, teachers that have taught both report these differences.

12. Do students take AP courses as part of the IB Program? 

Students typically take as few as 3, and as many as 8, AP courses as they pass through the IB program.  Several of our IB classes are co-seated with AP (AP and IB in the same classroom). These include AP Biology with IB Biology HL1, AP Calculus BC with IB Math Analysis HL1, and AP European History with IB European History HL1, among several others.  In addition, most of our IB students also take AP US History and AP Government, among others. Taking these exams offers the student additional opportunity to “show off” to colleges and to earn more college credit. This “double-dipping” is one reason why we have several students matriculate at colleges that award them the equivalent of two years of college credit upon entrance.  

13. What is the goal of the International Baccalaureate Organization?

IB wants to generate fantastically well-educated, self-aware, well-rounded young people.  Beyond that, IB wants to make the world a more peaceful place via international-mindedness.  Please visit ibo.org for more information.  

14. What if I’m already done with a language level three (or more)? 

For students that have grown up speaking a native language other than English, IB has several options for you.  We’ve had several students test at a language level much higher than the “B” level outlined above. Many students in this situation choose a language as their sixth IB class. 

15. What is the daily schedule at Skyline?

Classes begin at 7:30 AM and release at 2:10 PM.  Skyline is on a standard A/B block, where students take four classes each day (periods 1A-4A then periods 1B-4B).  Thus, the students take eight classes total. 

16. What is the Theory of Knowledge class?

TOK is a class that encourages students to explore basic questions of epistemology.  That is, “How do you come to know anything and how sure are you of that knowledge?” We explore the four “ways of knowing” which are: emotion, reason, perception, and language.  Then we look at how we come to know things like the theory of gravity and the morality of murder through those four lenses. 

17. What is the Extended Essay?

The EE is the 4,000-word research paper which students begin their junior year and finished in the first half of their senior year.  Students may choose virtually any topic. Some examples include, “PTEN Tumor Suppression Gene and Prostate Cancer,” “Theories of Childhood Suggestibility,” and “Vampire Archetypes in 1900 and 2000; A Reflection of the Changing Hero Archetype.”

18. What’s in it for me?

1. A fabulous college preparation.  2. Development of a set of academic and life skills, and the self-awareness to use the skills appropriately.  3. An awareness of the world and your place in it. 4. College Credits at many universities.  5. Solid preparations for students who enroll in rigorous selective schools. 6. Recognition on the Common Application  7. Great friends.