IB @ AHS

IB fosters a positive attitude to learning by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop research skills, and to learn how to learn.

What is the IB diploma program?

The International Baccalaureate Program is a comprehensive course of study designed for highly motivated students. This stimulating, challenging program meets standards of international academic excellence and promotes admission to colleges and universities throughout the world. Anderson was authorized to be an IB school in 1991. We're number 628 in the world!

Parents - Interested in general information on all IB programs as well as advice from IB on higher education pursuits and supports for your IB student? Please visit this site from IB: http://ibo.org/information-for-parents

Who is the IB student?

As IB learners we strive to be: inquirers, open-minded, knowledgeable, caring, thinkers, risk-takers, communicators, balanced, principled, and reflective.

We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national, and global communities.

For more information, please visit our Regulations and Policies page for "The IB Learner Profile booklet."

What makes IB different?

All IB diploma candidates must complete coursework and take exams in six different areas of study. Students select three courses at the higher level (HL), which involves two years of study at the IB level, and three courses at the standard level (SL), which involves one or two years at the IB level.

Native language - English A: Literature
Language acquisition - Chinese, French, German, Latin, Spanish
Individuals & Societies - History: Americas, Psychology
Sciences - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science
Mathematics
The Arts (film, music, visual arts) OR another subject from groups 2, 3, or 4.

IB Diploma candidates also complete three additional requirements:

Information is everywhere, and everyone is claiming "knowledge". What are we to do in the midst of all of this information and all of these knowledge claims—shut down or start to question and find knowledge or be persuaded by belief? The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course encourages critical thinking of knowledge claims from self, others, math, science, history, arts, and ethics. Questions we will ask are: what is knowledge; what is belief; how do sense perception, language, emotion, and reason help and hurt; and how and why do knowledge claims in math, science, history, the arts, and ethics form, influence, and fluctuate? Often the questioning works like this: what do I claim to know [about X], and am I justified in doing so [how?]?

The extended essay is a 4,000-word essay (approx. 15 double-spaced pages) which reflects an original piece of research, analysis and interpretation written by the student under the direct supervision of a qualified mentor. Students will choose a topic from any content area within IB guidelines and will develop the essay with guidance through IB English & TOK classes.

Believing a true leader is one who participates in the aesthetics of life and gives to society as much as he/she receives, the IB diploma candidate is expected to complete weekly creative, active, and/or service (CAS) experiences fulfilling 7 different learning outcomes. Students develop their CAS portfolio over an 18 month span from September of their junior year to March of their senior year.

What is IB Course (AKA IB Certificate)?

Anderson also offers students the opportunity to pursue select IB courses in lieu of the the full IB Diploma. Course/Certificate students must complete all coursework and exams for at least two higher level IB courses taken over the junior and senior years. These students are also eligible to complete standard level IB courses in their senior year. The IB Course student does not complete the extended essay or the CAS requirement, nor are they allowed to take the TOK class.

How do I apply?

Visit the pages on the right for more information and application information.

Anderson High School