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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. | 
