• Options available to IB at WKHS Students

    Students and Parents should be advised that in order to earn college credit for IB courses, students must complete the IB subject exams. Registration for IB subject exams require students to pay fees to the IB Organization. These fees cover the administration and grading of the exams. Students and their families will be required to pay the fees for the first three exams (approximately $119 per exam); the Worthington City School District will pay the subject fees for any additional IB exams after the first three.

     

    Option #1: IB Diploma Programme Student

    This option is for the student who wishes to be a candidate to earn the Diploma of the International Baccalaureate.  He/she must enroll in six subject courses, one from each of the following groups:

    Group 1 - Studies in Language & Literature

    • English Literature HL

    Group 2 - Language Acquisition

    • French HL
    • Latin SL
    • Spanish HL

    Group 3 - Individuals and Societies

    • History SL/HL
    • Psychology SL
    • Business Management SL/HL

    Group 4 - Experimental Sciences

    • Biology SL
    • Sports, Exercise and Health Science SL

    Group 5 - Mathematics

    • Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL

    Group 6 - The Arts and Other Electives

    • Visual Art SL or a second course from any other group

     

    A “Standard Level” (SL) course includes less content than a “Higher Level” (HL) course, and may be taught over a shorter period than an HL course.  All HL courses are two years long, while an SL course may range from one to two years.

    To earn the Diploma of the International Baccalaureate, a student must successfully complete the exams for one course in each of the six Subject Groups (a total of six IB Subject courses). The student must also take at least three and no more than four Higher Level (HL) courses.

    Additionally, a student who wants to earn the Diploma of the International Baccalaureate must complete:

    • Theory of Knowledge: a course which explores the nature of knowledge; it asks questions like “How do we know something is real / true?” and “How do our standards for truth differ from discipline to discipline?” In order to complete this course, students must write a 1,200-1,600 word essay to be graded externally and make an in-class presentation.  Additional coursework will be assigned by the teacher.
    • Extended Essay: a work of original research on a specific topic of personal interest to the student. The student must write this 4,000-word essay and submit it for external grading.
    • Creativity-Activity-Service: a series of experiences that take a student’s learning outside the classroom and into the com- munity; students must make a sustained effort over a period of 18 months to engage their creative talents, engage in physical activity, engage in community service, initiate their own project, and reflect upon the growth that they achieve.

     

    Option #2: Partial Program Student

    This option provides students who decide not to pursue the full IB diploma (Option #1) with the ability to engage with the IB at WKHS learning community in a substantial way. The WKHS IB staff believes engaging with IB coursework and the IB Core (Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service) is valuable to all students willing to undertake the challenge.

    Partial program students enroll in at least two IB subject courses. At least one of these courses must be a two-year course. Partial program students must also enroll in Theory of Knowledge and complete either the Extended Essay or Creativity, Activity, Service.

    Students completing the partial program option will not be eligible to earn the IB diploma. However, like all IB students, they may register for IB exams and potentially earn college credit for their work.

     

    Option #3: IB Course Students

    Students who meet the prerequisites may register for individual IB courses. These students may not register for the IB Core components (Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service). However, course students may register for IB exams and potentially earn college credit for their work. This is the best option for students who are not prepared to make a substantial commitment to IB but who still want to challenge themselves with IB coursework.

    Please note that the cost to register for one IB exam is about $119. Students may take IB courses without registering for IB exams, but such students must still complete all IB coursework, including internal assessments, papers written in class for external assessment, and practice/mock exams.