The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
at George Mason High School
A Tradition of Excellence and Expanding Opportunity Since 1981
The First IB Diploma Program World School in the State of Virginia
Life in the 21st century - in an interconnected, globalized world - requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something in which International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program students learn to know and understand.
IB Newsletter:
Link for Mustang Stampede: March 2010
Introduction
“The best thing about the IB program was that it turned me into a learner and it challenged me in ways I couldn’t even recognize at the time. It made me a strong writer and an analytical thinker which have been unbelievably helpful skills in college. I also really enjoyed being part of the IB class environment where we were sympathetic…while still challenging each other to work really hard. IB made me effective at time management as well, and it made me well-rounded by challenging me in such a wide variety of subjects."
-Mary Ryan, George Mason High School Class of 2004, University of Virginia, Class of 2008
“IB is well known to us as excellent preparation. Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard. We are pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Programme on the transcript.”
-Marlyn McGrath Lewis, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Harvard University
Since 1981, the most rigorous course of studies offered to the students of George Mason High School is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. This program of advanced internationally recognized syllabi and external examinations offers a rigorous, comprehensive and world-class education during the last two years of high school. The IB Diploma Program is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepares students for success at university and life beyond. The program has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.
The program:
• provides a package of education that balances subject breadth and depth, and considers the nature of knowledge across disciplines through the unique theory of knowledge course
• encourages international-mindedness in IB students, starting with a foundation in their own language and culture
• develops a positive attitude to learning that prepares students for university education
• has a reputation for its rigorous external assessment with published global standards, making this qualification welcomed by universities worldwide
• emphasized the development of the whole student- physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
The Curriculum
The IB Diploma requires students to study in six core areas: English, foreign language, social science, science, mathematics, and the arts or an elective. For the IB Diploma, a candidate must successfully complete the following: earn a minimum of 24 points on six examinations graded on a scale of 1–7; complete a 4000-word extended essay in one of the content areas; complete the Theory of Knowledge course; and reflect upon extra-curricular activities in three areas: Creativity, Action and Service. In 2009, George Mason seniors posted a 100% success rate in completing the IB Diploma and achieved Diploma Scores above the international average. Thirty-two members of the class of 2009 completed the IB Diploma.
Students not wishing to fulfill all of the requirements of the IB Diploma are strongly encouraged to take individual courses in the IB curriculum to help them prepare for future education. These students thus earn IB certificates. More than 80% of the school’s students enroll in one or more IB courses during their junior and/or senior years.
The IB program is guided by a clear mission translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century. This clarity of the mission as learning outcomes provides a consistent thematic approach that influences all of our educational practice at George Mason High School.
The IB Mission Statement:
The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The IB learner profile is the IBO mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century:
A Tradition of Excellence and Expanding Opportunity
Currently at George Mason High School:
• 8 in 10 George Mason students participate in the IB Diploma Program.
• 23% of students in the Class of 2010 are pursing the full IB Diploma.
• 35% of students in the Class of 2011 are pursuing the full IB Diploma.
As our program continues to expand and serve more students our school’s performance has increased:
• For at least the past fifteen year, George Mason IB Diploma Candidates’ performances on end of term IB Exams have surpassed the international average.
• Our diploma pass rate has consistently surpassed the international average.
• For two consecutive years 100% of students that attempted the diploma have received this prestigious and internationally recognized academic award.
See a fifteen year analysis of IB Success and Participation at George Mason High School
Structure of the Program
The International Baccalaureate program is an internationally recognized program of studies which is available 11th and 12th grade students at George Mason. This program provides the rigor, the structure, and the experiences necessary to challenge students. The key factor for success in the IB program, however, is motivation. Students in IB classes complete a series of examinations based on internationally established syllabi. Underclassmen who wish to take IB courses during their 11th and 12th grade years should carefully plan their 8th-10th grade schedules to prepare for success in the IB program. (See the suggested sequence of study for IB Students grades 8-12)
The IB program has six groups of study:
At George Mason High School we offer the following course in the six curricular IB Groups:
• Group 1: IB English A1, An Advanced Examination of American and World Literature and Writing
• Group 2: IB French B SL and HL, IB Spanish B SL and HL, IB Mandarin Ab Initio and B SL and HL (IB B Languages are studied for four to six years) and IB Spanish A2 SL/HL (for fluent speakers of Spanish). Students who have a native advanced fluency in a language not offered above may complete A1 Self-Taught. Please see Mr. Misra for more information.
• Group 3: IB World History & History of the Americas SL/HL, IB Psychology SL/HL, IB Social and Cultural Anthropology SL, IB Business and Management SL and IB Information Technology in a Global Society SL.
• Group 4: IB Biology SL/HL, IB Chemistry SL/HL and IB Physics SL/HL
• Group 5: IB Math HL, IB Math SL, IB Math Studies SL
• Group 6: IB Visual Arts SL/HL, IB Music SL/HL, IB Theatre SL/HL, IB Computer Science SL/HL or a second course from Groups 2, 3, or 4. Please see the George Mason Program of Studies for descriptions of the courses above.
The IB diploma program is the most rigorous course of study offered at George Mason High School. Students who wish to undertake the full IB diploma program must complete courses in each of the groups shown above and earn a total of 24 points on three higher and three standard level examinations. (All six examinations are graded on a scale of 1 to 7 so the maximum examination total is 42 points.) Diploma candidates also take a seminar course called “Theory of Knowledge”, write an extended essay, and must complete at least 150 hours in the areas of creativity, action, and community service. Students who complete all of the above IB courses and requirements and satisfactorily pass the related IB examinations receive, in addition to their high school diploma, the IB Diploma. Students may also take fewer than six IB courses from the groups listed. These students fulfill all requirements in their selected IB classes and receive an IB certificate for each of these classes rather than an IB Diploma. IB courses are offered at either the standard or higher level. Standard level courses explore a range of topics within a subject and typically last one year. In higher level courses, students study subjects more in-depth over a two-year period.
The IB program is excellent preparation for college level work. In addition, when making admissions decisions, colleges look very favorably upon the IB program as indication of a student’s level of motivation and ability to perform in a rigorous and challenging program. Studies on the acceptance rates of IB Diploma students show that these students have higher acceptance rates at colleges in the United States. Like the Advanced Placement program, many American colleges give course credit or advanced standing to a student who earns a satisfactory score on an IB examination. General information about university recognition of the IB can be found at http://www.ibo.org/ibna/recognition/ and recognition/credit policies for specific colleges and universities can be found at www.ibo.org/country/US/index.cfm. Students who are interested in the IB program should consult the IB Coordinator and their counselor.
A suggested general sequence of courses for students who seek to earn an International Baccalaureate Diploma is listed on the following pages for your reference. Each student’s IB Diploma program is planned to meet the individual student’s needs, strengths, and interests.
Students who complete advanced placement, college-level, or courses required for an International Baccalaureate Diploma shall be deemed to have completed the requirements for graduation under these standards provided that they have earned the verified credits as required of students earning either a standard or an advanced studies diploma.
(Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia, July 28, 2000)
Orientation to the IB Program at George Mason High School
IB Information Night Handout, From January 2009
IB Information Handout for Parents of Seventh Grade Students, From January 2009
Diploma Program Flyer (From the IB Organization)
Maintaining Balance as an Advanced Learner
PowerPoint entitled: How to Help IB Students Cope with Academic Demands
Creativity, Action and Service
George Mason High School CAS Guide
Service Opportunities in Falls Church City
