Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) approved Upper Arlington High School to offer the IB Diploma Program, beginning in the school year of 2004–2005. The IBO is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding students understanding of the world. Currently, there are more than 3,680 IB schools in over 146 countries, serving over 1,138,000 students. Students who have earned the IB Diploma attend universities throughout the world.

The IB program is a rigorous, two-year comprehensive curriculum for grades eleven and twelve, that seeks to prepare students for post-secondary study through courses and instructional techniques that emphasize:

• Critical thinking

• Application of knowledge

• An interdisciplinary approach with strong international focus

HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS

Students complete course work in IB subjects and sit for examinations, similar to the way Advanced Placement (AP) courses are taught. To receive the IB Diploma, students must successfully take one course from each of six groups, three courses at Standard Level (one- or two-year courses) and three courses at Higher Level (two-year courses).

These courses are chosen from the six different groups prescribed by the IB Hexagon. This requirement ensures a broad exposure across the liberal arts spectrum. Additionally, students will complete a course in Theory of Knowledge, participate in over 150 hours of Creativity, Action, and Service activities, and write an extended essay of 4,000 words (giving students an opportunity to conduct an in-depth study of a topic of special interest). More in-depth information is available in the curriculum section.