AIS-R students may participate in the IB program in one of the following ways:

• -As a student working to earn IB certificates in particular subjects
• -As a student undertaking the full IB diploma

IB Certificates:

If a student is up to the challenge of a faster pace but isn't interested in completing the full IB Diploma, earning IB Certificates is a more appropriate option.  Students who qualify to take IB courses for IB certificates may sign up for a course or courses at the Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL).  Most AIS-R students take at least one IB course on their way toward graduation.  Preparing for the external exams provides a valuable experience prior to enrolling in university.

Depending upon the university to which a student applies, the IB Certificates obtained at the Higher Level may be accepted for advanced placement.  More importantly, however, the subjects chosen at the Higher Level should reflect a student's areas of greatest confidence, interest, knowledge, and skill. Standard Level subjects do not generally require the same degree of confidence, interest, knowledge, and skill.

IB Course Enrollment Procedures:

At the beginning of the course selection process, eligible students will be provided with a list of suggested courses in which to enroll.  In the event a student would like to enroll in an IB class that does not appear on the suggestion list, he or she will be required to complete an application for specific to that class.  Forms are available in the Counseling Center.  The application for will need to be submitted with course selection forms prior to the deadline.

Each application form will then be reviewed by a committee made up of the Principal, IB Coordinator, counselors and teachers.  In addition to reviewing a student's application, the committee will review the student's overall grade point average, grade point average in the subject area of the class being requested, any pertinent test scores, attendance records, demonstrated work ethic and degree of difficulty of the overall schedule requested.  Based on the committee's review, a student will be offered the following choices:

• -to enroll
• -to enroll with conditions
• -to enroll in alternative options

The International Baccalaureate Diploma

The two-year, full IB Diploma Program should only be undertaken by the most serious of students.  Its successful completion has four basic requirements:

• -Students will study six subjects: three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level
• -Students will complete 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) projects
• -Students will write a 4 000 word extended essay
• -Students will sit for IB exams in each subject in May, at the end of each course

The IB Diploma Program is a two-year program and a student's decision to attempt it should only be made after careful consideration, research, conversations with parents, and meetings with both the IB Coordinator and grade level Counselor.  Generally, the subjects chosen at Higher Level will reflect a student's area of greatest confidence, interest, knowledge, and skill.

The students who are most successful in the program are the students who love learning for learning's sake, are extremely self-disciplined, and possess excellent time-management skills.  Interested students should start by reviewing the IB self-evaluation.  (add link here)

Enrollment in a IB course may not be appropriate for all students.  An IB Committee will review the requests.  Please refer to the above section entitled IB Course Enrollment Procedures for full details.

IB Diploma Curriculum

Students seeking to earn the IB Diploma will study courses from within the six groups depicted in the diagram below.  They will choose three groups from which to take Higher Level courses and three groups from which to take Standard Level courses.  Generally, the subjects chosen at Higher Level will reflect a student's area of greatest confidence, interest, knowledge, and skill.  Standard level subjects do not generally require the same degree of confidence, interest, knowledge and skill.

In addition to successfully completing three Higher Level and three Standard Level courses, IB Diploma students are required to take an additional course called Theory of Knowledge, write a 4000 word Extended Essay, complete a 150 hour Creativity, Action, Service project known as CAS, and write exams in each IB subject during May at the end of each course.

IB Certificate students are required to successfully complete the Higher Level and/or Standard Level courses in which they are enrolled as well as write exams for each.  Exams for IB Certificates are also offered during May at the end of the course.