GRANADA HILLS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

GRANADA HILLS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

What is IB? Academics Research and Service College Applications Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard. We are pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Programme on the transcript. Assistant dean of admissions, Harvard University

Academics Courses, Homework, Assessment, Rigor

IB Diploma Programme What is the IB Diploma Programme? An international program designed for 11 th and 12 th grade students. Emphasizes independent inquiry, risk-taking, and reflection. Encourages open-mindedness, compassion, and respect for others. Provides flexibility to pursue individual academic and personal interests. Requires students to engage in meaningful, performance driven work.

IB Course Requirements HL and SL Courses: HL: Higher Level, 240 Teaching Hours, 1 Weighted Point SL: Standard Level, 150 Teaching Hours,.5 Weighted Point Course Requirements: 6 courses (3 at HL and 3 at SL or 4 at HL and 2 at SL) Theory of Knowledge Internal Assessments (Presentations, Portfolios, and Research Essays) External Assessments (Written Exams, Portfolios, Research Essays)

IB Courses at Granada Category 1: English Language Higher Level Literature Category 2: World Language Standard Level Spanish, French, Korean, Italian Category 3: Social Sciences Higher Level US History, History of Americas Category 4: Science Higher and Standard Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental

IB Courses at Granada Category 5: Mathematics Higher and Standard Level Category 6: The Arts Higher and Standard Level Theater and Visual Arts Theory of Knowledge: Question and Discussion Critical Thinking Philosophy Examine Ways of Knowing

IB Homework at Granada Homework Philosophy IB teachers at Granada believe assigned homework should support students in their progress toward passing the internal and external IB assessments. Homework, in IB classes, has a clear purpose. Typically, an IB student should expect approximately 2 to 3 hours of homework per night. However, most teachers try to assign work well in advance of the due date to ensure appropriate time for completion and review. Homework Free Days IB teachers believe that students need days for catching up on assignments, getting ahead, or relaxing with family and friends. To balance these needs with the substantial academic work required, teachers of IB courses abstain from assigning new work on Tuesday evenings and every three-day weekend.

IB Assessments: Internal and External IB assessments are of two types: internal and external. Internal assessments (IA) allow students to show what they can do over time and in different contexts. External assessments (EA) form the basis of assessment for most courses. EAs are similar to AP exams and are taken at the end of the course, usually senior year. Internal Assessments: Account for 20-30% of a student s final grade. Externally moderated by IB examiners to ensure international parity. Oral presentations, performances, portfolios, research papers, laboratory experiments, and laboratory notebooks. External Assessments: Account for 70-80% of a student s final grade. Externally graded by examiners across the world. Short responses, data-based questions, essay responses, multiple-choice questions, portfolios. External assessments usually take 2 to 3 hours to complete.

IB Diploma Scoring and Completion IB Diploma students take 6 subjects at standard and higher levels. At least 3 and not more than 4 subjects are taken at higher level, the others at standard level. The marks awarded for each subject, determined by the student s performance on the internal and external assessments, range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Students can also be awarded up to 3 additional points for their combined results on their mandatory theory of knowledge essay, extended essay, and CAS project.

IB Diploma Scoring and Completion With 6 courses (each with a possible 7 points) and the 3 additional required components, there are a maximum of 45 total points a student may earn. In addition, students must complete and pass the theory of knowledge essay, the extended essay, and CAS project to earn their diploma. 24 Score needed to earn the IB diploma 28 Average IB diploma score worldwide

IB Diploma Scoring and Completion 32+ Target score for Granada IB students

Research and Service Extended Essay and CAS Requirements

IB Extended Essay The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research culminating in a 4,000 word paper (13-18 pages). To complete the extended essay, students work closely with an advisor. As a required component, it provides: Preparation for undergraduate university level research Engagement in an in-depth study of a topic of their own interest Opportunities to analyze and evaluate data and assess arguments Emphasis is also placed on the research process: Formulating an appropriate research question Engaging in a personal exploration of a chosen topic Communicating ideas clearly Developing an argument

IB Extended Essay: Sample Topics Sample Biology Extended Essay Topics: Supplementation vs. Natural Sources of Vitamin A for Pregnant Women with Vitamin A Deficiency in Developing Countries How Did the Many Perceptions of Our Soul and Spirit in the Ancient and Medieval World Lead to the Discovery of the Brain Sample History Extended Essay Topics: Fear or Compassion: An analytical look into the persuasive styles of Adolf Hitler and Franklin D. Roosevelt Henry Ford s Effect on the Great Depression

IB Extended Essay: Sample Topics Sample Literature Extended Essay Topics: Friendship, Dissatisfaction, and Travel: Similar Cyclical Processes of Characterization in Kerouac s On the Road and Twain s Huckleberry Finn. Sample Visual Arts Extended Essay Topics: How did photography affect the American view of war during the Vietnam War?

IB CAS Project What is the CAS project? CAS stands for Creativity, Action, and Service. CAS focuses on experiential learning. CAS requires approximately 150 hours of service and action. CAS is not a series of random, unconnected volunteer hours. CAS discourages hour counting and emphasizes real, purposeful, and meaningful work toward a central student-generated goal. CAS should be a personal challenge and result in significant, thoughtful reflection on outcomes and personal growth.

IB CAS Project Mission Statements Since the CAS project must emphasize meaningful work toward a central student-generated goal, Granada IB students first develop a mission statement that stating how their work will utilize their strengths and improve their weaknesses. The following are examples of student mission statements: EXAMPLE 1: In order to understand the human mind and using my strength in music as a starting place, I will look into music therapy. I plan to shadow a music therapist, interview people that have gone through the treatment, and then test my research at musical performances. I shall also become a mentor to a young pianist and thus help improve his or her technique. Throughout this process, I will be using different learning methods for the young pianist and conduct an analysis of how his or her brain functions. From this project, I hope to become a better musician, start a long lasting interest in psychology, and in the future, be able to help those with weak mental health with my music therapy skills.

IB CAS Project Mission Statements EXAMPLE 2: In order to improve my writing abilities, I plan to utilize my verbal communication skills and passion for history to create a journal and website on the lives of surviving veterans. I plan to volunteer at a retirement home, and through a partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, document history as experienced by those individuals. My research will contribute not only to international records, but also bring importance and recognition to the veterans whom I interview. Through this experience, I will improve my writing skills and gain a new respect for history and those who bravely fought for their country.

College Applications How can the IB Diploma Program help with college applications?

IB College Application Myths Myth 1: Colleges in the US have not heard of IB. Myth 2: IB is perceived as inferior to AP. Myth 3: IB hurts students in admissions.

College Admissions There are 6 essential elements in a college application: 1. GPA 2. SAT and ACT 3. Strength of Schedule 4. Letters of Recommendation 5. Community Service and Extracurricular Activities 6. Personal Statements

College Admissions: GPA How can the IB program help my GPA? Every HL course receives a 1-point weight. Therefore, if a student earns a B in a course, they receive a 4.0 rather than a 3.0 in determining their GPA for the course. If they earn an A, they receive a 5.0 in the course. Every SL course receives a.5-weight.

College Admissions: SAT and ACT How can the IB program help my SAT and ACT scores? Students are required to read and write extensively in all IB courses, including math, science, and theater courses. Students cover all levels of math in their mathematics courses. Thus, they receive substantial review of algebra and geometry skills they may not have reviewed since middle school. Students receive calculator instruction in all IB courses. Students receive intensive timed writing instruction in all IB courses. IB students and teachers will hold independent SAT review sessions. 23 of Granada s top 50 PSAT scores were earned by IB students.

College Admissions: Strength of Schedule How can the IB program help my strength of schedule? Students who enroll in the full IB diploma program will be taking one of the most demanding and rigorous schedules available. Duke University: Admissions Director One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated programme, well-established, well-known, and well-respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the curriculum is terrific. Harvard University: Assistant Admissions Director IB is well known to us as excellent preparation. Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard. We are pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Programme on the transcript.

College Admissions: Strength of Schedule How can the IB program help my letters of recommendation? At Granada, most IB courses have between 20 and 30 students. In IB, students work one on one with teachers to conduct research. In IB, students will get to know teachers more personally and, therefore, the teachers will be able to write highly personalized, reflective, and insightful letters of recommendation.

College Admissions: Community Service How can the IB program help me with community service? The IB CAS project requires approximately 150 hours of service. The IB CAS project is not a series of random volunteer service hours. Rather, the CAS project aims at the completion of a well thought out and designed mission that aims to make a part of the student s community and their own life better. Students will be able to communicate the goals and the impact of their service to colleges in more depth and with greater reflection.

College Admissions: Personal Statements and Essays How can the IB program help me with college essays? Personal, reflective writing is often the most difficult form of writing. In IB, every class requires reflective, personal writing. In IB, students will have meaningful experiences through CAS to write about in their personal statements.

? How do I Apply? How do learn more?

IB How to Apply Application Steps: Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Complete Student Interest Form Turn in Completed Student Interest Form to Room A6 Receive Formal Written Application Turn in Completed Formal Written Application Interview and Class Selection Begin IB!

IB Contact Information IB at Granada Hills Charter High School: Coordinator: Nicholas Weber Contact: nweber@ghchs.com IB Worldwide: Website: www.ibo.org