Southridge is proud to be able to offer the International Baccalaureate program to students. There are three ways to participate in the IB program: choosing IB courses to support academic interests; becoming an IB certificate candidate; or pursuing an IB Diploma. All students are welcome to enrich their high school experience by taking IB classes. Those who are considering the certificate or diploma options should be sure to obtain the International Baccalaureate Planning Guide from IB Coordinator, Celeste Colasurdo.
IB Links
IB Documents
IB Program Terms and Regulations
Diploma Candidate: An IB diploma candidate is a senior student who is in the second year of an IB Diploma program and has met all of the requirements to take his/her IB exams.
Anticipated Candidate: An anticipated candidate is a junior student who is the first year of an IB diploma program and who registers for one or two IB exams (sometimes called Junior Diploma Candidates).
Certificate Candidate: A certificate candidate is a student who is not a diploma or anticipated candidate, but who has met the course requirements and is taking one or more IB exams.
Higher Level (HL): Higher Level IB courses are two-year courses that require 240 hours of instruction.
Standard Level (SL): Standard level IB courses are one-year courses that require 240 hours of instruction.
IB Exams: IB exams are prepared by the International Baccalaureate Curriculum and Assessment Office (IBCA) in Cardiff, Wales. They are administered during a two-week period beginning on the first Monday in May. They are assessed by IB examiners world-wide. Each subject exam as two or three "papers" (or "parts") and each paper is assessed by a different examiner. The exams are primarily essays, and the assessment is criterion based.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Theory of Knowledge is an inquiry-based course that is the cetner of the IB curriculum. It is also a requirement for the IB Diploma, and will be taught during the last trimester of the junior year and the 2nd trimester of the senior year. Diploma Candidates are required to take both of these trimesters.
Extended Essay: The Extended Essay is a 3500-4000 word research essay that is a requirement for the IB Diploma. It has to be written in an IB subject, but does not necessarily have to be one that is offered at Southridge. The Diploma Candidate has to have a faculty advisor to monitor her/her progress, but most of the work is done independently. At Southridge, a four-week mini-course will be offered at the end of the juior year (after IB exams) for students to complete much of their work on their extended essay.
Creativity; Action; Service (CAS): This refers to the extra-curricular requirements for the IB diploma. Candidates are required to log 150 hours of CAS activities, divided evenly among the 3 areas, during their diploma years. (Candidates can begin logging activities during the summer before their junior year). CAS Activities do not have to be school related.
Last Updated (10/05/09)