In October 2000 the district embarked on an exciting investigation of the International Baccalaureate Programme (IB), which is a comprehensive elective program for 11th and 12th graders. In January 2001 your Board of Education approved a motion to pursue implementation of IB at Bernards High School in the 2003-04 school year.

Students have the option of attempting one or several IB courses or electing to participate in the full IB Diploma Programme. It is important to understand that students at Bernards High School are encouraged to participate in the full diploma program, but may select to take individual courses and earn an IB Certificate for those courses.

IB is a pre-university course of studies designed to expose high school students to a challenging, innovative and well-balanced academic program; coursework in the 11th and 12th grade years culminates in a series of examinations leading to an IB Diploma. Courses in the program are also open to interested students who do not wish to attempt the entire diploma program. Currently, over 1,200 schools world-wide have implemented the program.

All IB Diploma students complete three compulsory elements: an interdisciplinary Theory of Knowledge course, a Creativity-Action-Service component, and a sustained, 4,000 word independent essay on a topic of their choice. IB candidates experience high-interest coursework, regularly practice critical thinking skills, encounter activity-based academic situations, and, ultimately, gain an edge for college admissions.

The IB Diploma Program is a two-year program of studies across the disciplines with multiple components:

   Successful completion of six IB courses in different subject area;

   Completion of assessments and external examinations in each area;

   Participation in CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) component;

   Completion of a Theory of Knowledge course;

   The writing and submission of an Extended Essay under the supervision
of a mentor.

The International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva, Switzerland awards an IB Diploma to students who complete all of the above and perform successfully on the sic external examinations. Students at Bernards High School are encouraged to participate in the full diploma program, but may select to take individual IB courses and earn an IB Certificate for those courses.

IB Program of Studies for 2005-2006

Group 1

Language A, the student's first language or the language of the school
(English HL)

Group 2

Language B, the student's second or classroom-learned language
(French SL, Spanish SL or Latin SL)

Group 3

Individuals and Societies
(History HL, Psychology SL)

Group 4

Experimental Sciences
(Physics SL, Chemistry SL, Biology HL, Environmental Systems SL)

Group 5

Mathematics
(Math Studies SL, Mathematics SL and HL)

Group 6

Electives
(Visual Art SL, Music SL)

Q&A
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at BHS

Q: What will 'doing IB' do for me?

A: Taking IB classes and attempting to earn the IB Diploma will give you a world-class education and assist you in making your application to college more attractive. It may also earn you credit, advanced standing, or scholarships in college.

In deciding whether to take IB classes and whether to complete the Diploma or Certificate requirements consider your goals, your interests and your abilities. The IB program is a challenging course of study for highly motivated 11th and 12th graders who usually plan to attend a 4-year college after graduation.

Q: Why should I take IB classes?

A: Taking IB classes will prepare you for college and for life.

The primary objective of an IB program is to provide students with a world-class education that will prepare students for college and for the rest of their lives. The rigorous curriculum, the writing of the Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge course and the Creativity, Action, and Service component aim to produce well-educated citizens who can think critically, write well, and speak articulately, while managing time and responsibilities well. Students who choose to earn IB Certificates instead of the full IB Diploma will still benefit from having been exposed to the demanding college-level curriculum. A true, world-class education is the primary reason students choose to take IB classes. In addition, the IB program can help you gain admission to college and can earn you credit, advanced standing and even scholarships.

Q: How many IB classes should I take?

A: The right number of IB classes depends on your personal goals.

In general, students should take the most challenging classes in which they can earn mostly A's and B's. To earn an IB Diploma you must take six IB courses during your junior and senior years (see the attached description of the program). The more selective colleges expect students to take 5 "solids" each year (English, world language, social studies, science and math). The IB program at Bernards allows students to choose one or more IB classes and to combine the IB classes with courses from all the other program offerings to create a 4-year sequence that is tailored to the individual student's interests and abilities.

Q: How do I know if I am ready for IB?

A: Here are some of the qualities of a successful IB student:

   Is self-motivated

   Desires an intellectual and academic challenge

   Possesses strong written and oral communication skills

   Enjoys learning and is open to new ideas and new ways of thinking

   Participates actively in school and community

Q: Should I try for an IB Diploma? How do I know if it's the right choice for me?

A: Any student who is interested in an IB Diploma should try it.

If you are doing well in on-grade level or in honors or A-Level classes and you are strongly motivated to take on an intellectual and academic challenge, we encourage you to try for an IB Diploma. There are several points to remember as you make your decision:

   If you start out in 9th or 10th grade planning to get the IB Diploma and you later change your mind, you will be better prepared for whatever classes you do take because of the rigor of your Pre-IB preparation in honors and A-level courses.

   If you try for an IB Diploma and don't get it, you will still receive many benefits from your efforts. You will have received an outstanding university preparation that will stay with you regardless of how many points you receive. If you are applying to universities in the United States, decisions about admissions will be based on your senior year transcript, not on whether you get the Diploma. So, the important factor in admissions will be your work in your IB classes, not your scores on your IB exams (Your scores WILL be important in decisions about placement and credit. It is very important to do well on your IB exams, unless you want to sit through the same work during your freshman year at college that you did during your junior and senior year of high school).

   If you do not get enough points for the IB Diploma, you will still get an IB Certificate for all the IB classes you take.

   In making your decision, some advice from a former IB student in Virginia might help. She recommends that if you are interested, you should try it. If it gets too difficult, you can always select less challenging classes. Maybe you'll find, as she did, that as difficult as it is, you can still do it, and you'll end up earning an IB Diploma. If not, then the perspective of another student might help. She said that going for the Diploma is like going for the state championship if you are on a sports team. Even if you lose in the final game, the experience was still worth it, and you'll be glad you joined the team and played for the whole season.

Q: When do I have to decide whether I want to do the Diploma or a Certificate?

A: You don't need to make the final decision until the end of junior year.

If you aren't sure what you want to do, leave your options open by taking the classes you will need during 9th - 11th grades. Then, if you decide to continue, you will have all of the prerequisites. If you decide you want a certificate, you'll have a very solid transcript to present to colleges.

There are three key elements to remember as you plan your 9th through 11th grade courses in anticipation of the IB program at Bernards High School:

   Take five solids every year
(English, foreign language, science, math and social studies).

   Take your classes at the most challenging level in which you can earn
mostly A's and B's (possibly C's).

   Keep the diploma option open by making sure you meet all the prerequisites for the IB courses.

This is one time when procrastination won't hurt you. As long as you are taking the right classes, whether you have made your final decision early and never change your mind or waffle all the way through junior year, it really makes no difference. You will very likely be participating in extra-curricular activities anyway, so go ahead and document them for CAS hours. You don't have to make the final decision until it's time to start your extended essay in the spring of your junior year.

Q: Will taking IB classes get me into college?

A: When it comes to college admissions, there are no guarantees, but the IB program is widely recognized and well respected by colleges and universities.

Colleges throughout the United States and the world recognize the IB program as representing world-class university preparation. Students going to a university or college outside of the United States are well advised to complete the IB Diploma. Within the US, the weight given the IB program in admission decisions varies widely. Some schools show a preference for IB Diploma candidates in the admissions process. In general, the IB is recognized as a challenging course of study that is certainly viewed favorably in the admissions process. Selective institutions are looking for students who have taken the most challenging course of study available in their high school.

Q: When making admissions decisions, how do colleges view students who do the Diploma versus those who do a Certificate?

A: It depends on the institution.

While some schools express a preference for the IB Diploma in making admissions decisions, others simply look at whether a student has taken IB courses. Students are advised to consult with their counselors as they plan their IB programs to determine the preferences of individual colleges and universities. In the same way that students consider factors, such as size, location, majors and cost, students should also look at a university's IB policies in determining where to apply. By the same token, if a student has a "dream school" it makes sense to look at how that school views the IB in making the final decision about what IB courses to take during his/her four years at Bernards High School. To summarize, in North America, the IB Diploma will be viewed differently by admissions officers depending on the institution and does not guarantee admission except at a few schools. However, those who earn an IB Diploma are certainly recognized as among a small percentage of candidates for admission who have demonstrated that they are fully prepared to manage successfully both the academic challenges and the stress of college level work.

Q: Can I get college credit for my work in IB classes?

A: Students completing IB courses and examinations may be granted credit by colleges and universities.

Policies regarding credit for high school courses are developed by individual colleges and universities, not by the International Baccalaureate Organization, and vary widely among different schools. Some schools, such as Virginia Tech, Oberlin College, and Harvard University will grant students sophomore standing with the completion of an IB Diploma. Students who wish to receive credit for their work in the IB program should consult with their counselors and the IB Coordinator for advice in planning their IB programs and planning which colleges to apply to.

A website is available which provides the recognition policies of over 800 North American universities. This site can be found at www.ibo.org.  The site also provides links to the college and university web pages and e-mail addresses of individuals at their institution. Students and parents should be aware that the individuals responsible for making admission decisions are not usually the same people who make decisions regarding the awarding of credit. Bernards counselors and the IB coordinator are pleased to work with students to inform colleges of the rigor and the nature of their work in the IB program in order to insure that students are awarded a proper amount of credit for their work in IB.

Q: Can I get advanced standing in college based on my work in the IB program at Bernards?

A: Students may "place out" of introductory college classes based on their work in the IB program.

Again, colleges and universities, not eh IBO, make placement policies. Students and parents should consult the web site or consult with the IB Coordinator for information about specific institutions. Even colleges that are reluctant to award credit may be willing to allow students to use their IB scores to place into more advanced classes that would otherwise be closed to them. The same is generally true for the AP program.

Q: Can my work in the IB program help me pay for college?

A: Some schools offer scholarships for earning an IB Diploma.

A growing number of institutions are awarding scholarships for students who earn an IB Diploma.

Q: How can I get more information?

A: Consult the IBO web site: www.ibo.org.

Special thanks to Erin Albright, IB Coordinator at George Mason High School in Fairfax Co., VA, for sharing typical student and parent questions with us.