Clemens

The IB program is a two year advanced studies program, although preparation should begin in 8^th and 9^th grade. While each component of the program has its own goals and objectives the program as a whole works to provide internationally accepted qualifications for entry into higher education, promote international understanding, educate the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional, and social growth, and to develop inquiry and thinking skills and the capacity to reflect upon and to evaluate actions critically.

Students who are in an IB program are required to take course in 6 areas: Language A1 (English HL), Language B (Spanish SL/HL, German SL), Individuals and Society (History of the Americas HL), Mathematics (math studies SL, mathematics SL), experimental sciences (biology SL/HL, chemistry SL/HL), and the arts (art SL, theater SL, and psychology SL). At least three, and not more than four of the six subjects selected are taken at the Higher Level (HL). A HL class is two years and an SL class is one year.

Additionally students are required to complete at least 150 hours of community action, and service over a two-year period. This begins in the summer after sophomore year and ends the fall of senior year. If students belong to organizations that also have service requirements, some of these hours can be used for IB. The school with sponsor some group opportunities while we will expect some individual initiative also.

IB students also take a course entitled Theory of Knowledge. This course asks student to explain how they know what they know and how they know it. This is strictly an IB course and students in other IB schools say that it is a great course, one of their favorites!

IB students must also complete an extended essay of no more than 4,000 words. This is an independent study that students work on over a one-year period. Students can choose from a list of 22 subject areas and then focus on a particular topic. They will receive whatever guidance they might need from the teachers and the Extended Essay advisor. This seems daunting but IB says that students spend about 40 hours on this over a 1 year period.

Students can receive college credit for the completion of the course and successful scoring on the external exam. Most colleges and universities accept a score of 4 or higher on HL tests for college credit. Always be sure to check with your college of choice to see about their requirements

We do advise students thinking ofentering the IB programme to consider taking Spanish I and Algebra I atthe junior high level. This will make scheduling and preparation more advantageous for them. For students who begin preparation in 9^th grade, they can still be successful. We do ask high school students to prepare by being in honors or Pre-AP courses.

New High School. If students are in the Steele High School boundaries and want to be a part of the potential IB programme they will be at Clemens. Clemens, if granted the charter, will be the only school to offer the IB programme.

If we are granted an IB charter parents and students will be notified. The first to be notified will be those who have expressed an interest and have left their name and address with Mrs. Shires. Families will then be called in for an interview. Students will be asked to fill out an application and we will look at GPA, attendance records, and discipline referrals. Our intention is to open this program to anyone willing to take on the challenge.

Assessment. All coursework is graded by the teacher. There are IB required internal assessments and external assessments. The external assessments are graded by the teacher and are also sent to IB examiners worldwide to be graded. Students are graded based on a global perspective and level of expectations, not just in “competition” with their classmates. Several of the IB classes will be joint classes with AP, therefore; many IB students take both AP and IB exams. This is definitely a challenge but it can be done. All exams are in May. Two SL exams may be taken in junior year with the remaining 4 exams to be taken in a student’s senior year.

Successful completion of 6 core courses and success on all external exams (with no exam grade of 1 and no more than 2 exam grades of 2), completion of the Extended Essay, completion of the Community, Action, and Service requirement, and successful completion of the Theory of Knowledge course. Students who do not receive the diploma will receive certificates of completion signifying their success at completing specific advanced classes. Whether student achieve the diploma or certificates, they will still have been successful in the most advanced program available at Clemens and their learning experiences will prepare them for college and life experiences.