Overview of the IB Program

Students have the ability to choose one of two paths of study within IB. They may choose to be a full Diploma Candidate, or they may choose to be a Certificate Candidate.

IB courses may be offered at the Higher Level or at the Standard Level:
Higher Level (HL): 2 year course, 240 hours
Standard Level (SL): 1 or 2 years, 150 hours.

Diploma Candidates engage in a comprehensive program of study throughout their junior and senior years,  which includes their course work, as well as "The Core" requirements.  For their course work, they will choose one course from each of six groups, or they may choose an additional course from Groups 1-5 in lieu of a Group 6. 

Diploma Candidates must take a minimum of 3-4 classes at the Higher Level (HL); and 2-3 classes at the Standard Level (SL). All of these classes culminate in an exam taken in May of the year they complete the class that may qualify the student to receive college credit, depending on the score and the college.

Certificate Candidates will be exposed to individual courses of study with core aspects of the full program woven throughout the course. They may choose to take any singular course, or courses, for an individual certificate in each.   As with the Diploma Program, these courses culminate in an exam that may qualify the student to receive college credit, depending on the score and the college.

Based on past performance, it is highly recommended that if a student enrolls in at least 3 IB Certificate classes, they strongly consider enrolling in the complete Diploma program, as it allows for coordination of schedules and workloads across the curriculum.  In addition, completing the entire Diploma Programs weighs favorably in the college admissions process.