IB Years 5-6 (Grades 11-12)

Diploma Program

The IB Diploma Program is a rigorous course of study leading to external examinations in six core academic groups:

  • IB English Literature (Language A)
  • IB French or Spanish (Language B)
  • IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation or IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
  • IB Biology or IB Chemistry Standard Level
  • IB History of the Americas Higher Level (Individuals and Societies/Government and Economics)
  • Group 6: IB Computer Science Higher Level, IB Visual Arts Higher Level, or another course at the Higher Level that satisfies the criteria for Group 6.

See http://www.ibo.org for course descriptions.

In addition to the above courses, all students take Physical Education.

Full Diploma candidates must also satisfy three special features included in the program in order to earn the IB Diploma. This is known as the IB Diploma Program Core:

  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course – challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to be aware of ideological biases, and to develop modes of thought based on analysis of evidence and rational argument. At the end of the course, students prepare a formal paper and an individual presentation.
  • Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) – IB Diploma candidates are required to design a service project as well as complete creativity, action and service hours during grades 11 and 12. While IBO does not dictate the number of required hours, BSGE recommends the completion of a minimum of 75 hours of meaningful participation devoted to creativity, action and service to successfully satisfy this component of the Diploma Program. These activities encourage students to share their energies and talents outside of the classroom.
  • Extended Essay (EE) – a required essay of at least 4,000 words offers students the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and prepares them for independent research and writing expected at the university level.

How do I maintain IB Diploma candidacy?

The requirements to ensure IB Diploma Program candidacy while in the 11th and 12th grade include:

  • Pass a minimum of 5 Regents exams by the end of 11th grade (with a grade of 75 or higher).
  • Pass IB classes with a semester grade of IB3 or higher. The IB classes at BSGE are Language A (English), IB Biology or IB Chemistry, Math Applications or Math Analysis, History of the Americas, Visual Arts and Language B (Foreign Language).
  • 1 subject from each of the six subject groups – 3 Standard Level courses and 3 Higher Level courses
  • Theory of Knowledge course (TOK)
  • Completion of Extended Essay draft (by the end of May) as well as all benchmark assessments leading up the Extended Essay
  • Successful completion of IB Internal Assessments (IAs)

(These are assessments administered in each subject prior to the IB exams taken in May of the senior year. These assessments are graded by BSGE teachers and are moderated by IB. Students’ grades on the IAs are reported to IB and factored into their overall IB Diploma Program score.)

  • Language A (English Literature)
  • Written Assignment and Oral Presentation – 11th grade
  • Individual Oral Commentary & Discussion (recorded) – 12th grade
  • Science – Investigative Lab
  • Across the 11th and 12th grades for IB Biology
  • Across the 11th and 12th grades for IB Chemistry
  • Math Analysis- Exploration in the 11th and 12th grades
  • Math Applications – Investigation in the 11th and 12th grades
  • History of the Americans (HoA) – Historical Investigation in the 11th and 12th grades
  • Visual Arts – Art Exhibition + 1 page Curatorial Rational in the 12th grade
  • Language B (Foreign Language) – Interactive Oral Activity, Individual Oral and Written Assignment in the 11th & 12th grades
  • Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
  • Oral Presentation – 11th grade
  • Essay – 12th grade
  • Successful completion of the Extended Essay & adhering to the following benchmarks:
  • First draft – 11th grade before June.
  • Final paper – 12th grade by the end of October. This will require students to work on the Extended Essay during the summer.
  • Successful completion of Creativity, Activity, and Service hours and Project
  • Completion of the Project.
  • A minimum of 75 hours over 2 years.
  • Intended to be a collection of enjoyable and challenging experiences determined by you to extend your abilities.

What happens if I don’t meet the requirements to remain a full IB Diploma Program candidate?

Students who are not IB Diploma Candidates in the 12th Grade are considered to be Certificate candidates and will be required to:

  • Remain in IB classes to earn credits towards high school graduation.
  • Sit for examinations in some IB courses and be eligible for IB course Certificates for those subjects.
  • Complete modified versions of the Internal Assessments in IB classes in order to earn a credit for the class.
  • Fulfill the CAS requirement.
  • Take the two years of the Theory of Knowledge course and complete the internal assessment (TOK Presentation) and the external assessment (TOK Essay).

What happens if I do not meet the requirements for Certificate Candidacy?

  • Students will have to attend summer school after the 11th and 12th grades for all classes failed.
  • The course failures will appear on the student’s official transcript.
  • Colleges may be informed that the student did not maintain IB Certificate Status.
  • This applies to CAS requirements as well as not sitting for one of the IB subject exams.
  • Failure to submit and earn a passing grade on the TOK Essay will result in a failing grade for the class.