The IB program promotes the education of our best and brightest students for a life of active, responsible citizenship. It focuses on the dynamic combination of knowledge, independent critical and creative thought and global awareness.
The educational philosophy of the IB organization is found in its mission statement:
The International Baccalaureate® aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments, and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
What is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme?
The IB Diploma Programme is essentially a two-year college program undertaken in the junior and senior years of high school. The IB is the most academically challenging program not only at Mid-Pacific but also for schools worldwide. Students pursue six IB courses (one each of Literature, Individuals and Societies, World Language, Experimental Science, Mathematics, and either the Arts or a second option on the previous five subjects – see the circle below) building on their strengths as well as developing their weaker areas.
All students are required to take three additional components:
Creativity = exploring and extending ideas to an original or interpretive product or performance.
Activity = physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
Service = collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need.
In addition to hitting all three strands of CAS, throughout their 18 month period, students will reflect on their experiences and meet seven learner outcomes that are defined by the IB:
What qualities and skills does the IB Diploma Programme develop?
The IB Learner Profile IBO: IB Learner Profile Booklet [.pdf] promotes the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge. Through class assignments, projects, class discussions, oral presentations and multiple assessment avenues, IB students develop the following learner profile attributes:
Students graduating from Mid-Pacific with an IB Diploma develop the following qualities and skills:
How do colleges perceive the IB Program?
Colleges value and actively recruit IB Diploma students for admissions. Colleges and universities throughout the United States and worldwide have developed an IB recognition policy. An IB diploma gives students a competitive edge in the college admissions process. The most prestigious colleges tend to give favorable consideration to high performing IB Diploma students in their admissions process. Many colleges and universities will give college credit for high IB scores. The amount of credit will vary depending on the college but can be up to one year of credit. Refer to the main IB web page (www.ibo.org) to search college recognition policies. Success in the IB Diploma Programme is a consistent predictor of success in college, including graduation rate and GPA. In a report (based on data provided by the University of California President's Office, www.ucop.edu) from a relatively recent study by the University of California system: Descriptive analyses indicate that students participating in the IB earned higher grade point averages and graduated at higher rates than comparison group students as well as students in the University of California system overall.
Which IB courses are available at Mid-Pacific?
IB courses available include:
English Literature; French; Japanese; Spanish; Global Politics; Psychology; Computer Science; Informational Technology in a Global Society (Digital Society); Biology; Chemistry; Design Technology; Environmental Systems; Physics; Mathematics Application and Interpretation; Mathematics Analysis and Approaches; Dance; Theatre Arts; Visual Arts; Film
Do all Mid-Pacific student enroll in IB classes?
Participation in the IB Program is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. Students can take just a single IB course or multiple courses up to the full IB Diploma. Currently, 85% of seniors and 75% of juniors take at least one IB course. All students wishing to enroll in any IB Class must be approved by the IB Coordinator. Approval is based on a combination of grades, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores and indications of student motivation. A student may request to be considered for IB courses even if they do not receive an initial teacher recommendation.
Kymbal Roley
IB Coordinator
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