International Baccalaureate

Long Tradition of Excellence

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Students at Archbishop STCS/Walsh’s International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School are given a superior educational experience during 8ththrough 12th grade that will prepare them for success in college and benefit them their entire lives.

Walsh IB Students:

  • are encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
  • take part in programs of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world
  • become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language
  • will be able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

IB World School students develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics. They are also likely to perform well academically – often better than students on other programs, such as AP.

Studies conducted with the IB Programme show :

  • IB students have significantly higher college acceptance rates
    • 43% to 157% higher rates than non-IB Students at Ivy League Universities – Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, etc
    • 21% to 140% higher rates than non-IB Students at Selective Universities – Boston University, Duke, University of Virginia, University of Miami, etc.
  • IB graduates are better able to adjust to the rigors of university coursework; students specifically highlighted a number of skills gained through participation in the Diploma Programme (DP), including critical-thinking, time management and research skills
  • IB levels the college enrollment playing fieldfor lower income IB students versus non-IB students
  • IB HL Math leads the way– 4 IB Mathematics courses were compared to 5 mathematics qualifications from around the world (Advanced Placement (AP), Alberta Diploma, GCE A, Singapore-Cambridge GCE A, Gaokao).  IB Math HL was determined to be the most cognitively demanding course of those examined.
  • IB students enroll in college and graduate at higher rates than non IB students– 92% of DP students who graduated from high school enrolled in university within a six-year period, while 78% of students enrolled immediately after high school. DP students also had high four-year (79%) and six-year university graduation rates (83% for DP students, compared to 56% nationally) (Bergeron 2015)

 

For further information about the IB and its programs, visit 

International Baccalaureate FAQ

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The International Baccalaureate Programme is a two-year, college preparatory, internationally standardized program for academically motivated high school students around the world.

It is designed for highly motivated students who seek the challenge of a well-rounded, liberal arts, international curriculum. Students at all academic levels can be successful in the program.

IB seeks to develop all parts of a student. In addition to course work, there are community service requirements. Diploma candidates must select subjects from each of the six IB groups: English, Second Language, History, Sciences, Mathematics and Electives. At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at higher level (recommended 240 teaching hours), the others at standard level (150 teaching hours).

This allows students to explore some subjects in depth and others more broadly, a deliberate compromise between the early specialization of some national systems and the breadth found in others. The science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language and the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures.

The Diploma Programme equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment. The goal is to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community. Each university sets its own criteria for awarding college credit and/or scholarships. Students and parent may view each university IB policy for awarding credit by viewing the IBO web page, www.ibo.org.

Students take written examinations at the end of the programme, which are marked by external IB examiners. Students also complete assessment tasks in the school, which are either initially marked by teachers and then moderated by external moderators or sent directly to external examiners.

No, students may be designated as a Certificate candidate vs. Full Diploma. Students are able to earn certificates in each individual class.