The International Baccalaureate Program is a rigorous course of study designed to meet the needs of highly motivated secondary students and to promote international understanding. The effectiveness of the IB program is due not only to the depth of the individual courses, but also to the comprehensive nature of the program. Unlike other honors programs, the IB Program requires each student to take courses in six academic areas. To qualify for the International Baccalaureate Diploma, students must take examinations in six subject areas, participate in the Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) program, and write an extended essay during the 11th and 12th grade years.
The diploma candidate must also take a unique course known as Theory of Knowledge. In this course, students explore the connections and similarities between the various subjects, learn to think, and apply interrelated concepts.
Many students earning the IB Diploma are awarded advanced college credit at prestigious universities around the world. Many highly competitive colleges and universities recognize the IB Diploma for admissions and/or advanced standing.
PISD students enter the International Honors Program at either Clark High School or Williams High School in the ninth-grade followed by the two-year IB Program at Plano East Senior High. IB students may also participate in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program in grades 11 and 12.
Certified as an IB school in July 1995, the Plano East program carefully screens students on the basis of academic potential. All students admitted to the Pre-IB Prep and the IB programs are full diploma candidates.
IB CURRICULUM
Six subject groups comprise the core of the IB curriculum. The IB Diploma candidate is required to select one subject from each of the six areas.
Group 1: Language A English
Group 2: Language B French, Spanish
Group 3: Individuals and Societies History, Economics
Group 4: Experimental Sciences Biology, Chemistry,
Physics
Group 5: Mathematics Calculus,
Mathematical Studies
Group 6: Arts & Electives Visual Arts, Computer Science, (or a second group 3 or 4) At least three and not more than four of the six subjects are taken at the Higher Level (HL) (two-year course), the others at the Standard Level (SL) (one-year course). Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the Diploma requires a minimum total of 24 points. |
