International Baccalaureate /Honors/Enrichment: ACA has been proudly offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program since September 2008 for students in grades 11 and 12. The students go through a process of application, interviews, course selection based on their career goals, and discussions with parents. Students may opt for a full diploma or individual certificates. The process of preparing for the rigors of the IBDP high level courses starts as early as in grade 2 with students participating in the Enrichment Program (grades 2 to 8) and the Honors Program (grades 9 and 10). The Enrichment and Honors Programs use the same US standards-based curriculum as the mainstream classes; however the standards of performance are set higher with more emphasis on critical thinking, logic, reasoning, research, writing, debate, and creativity. To participate in the Enrichment or Honors Programs, students must pass a series of assessments, teacher recommendations, interviews, and demonstrate the desire to be challenged.
Philosophy
The International Baccalaureate program began in 1968 as a program for the children of global diplomats. It is now offered in 1,963 schools in 124 countries across the world and offers the Diploma Classes to over high school students. “Between December 2009 and December 2014, the number of IB programmes offered worldwide grew by 46.35%”. (www.ibo.org) The philosophy of the IB program is best represented in their mission statement.
“The International Baccalaureate® (IB) is more than its educational programmes and certificates. At our heart we are motivated by a mission to create a better world through education”. (www.ibo.org)
Suggested Links for Parents and Students
http://www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/
http://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/
http://www.ibo.org/university-admission/
IB DP Courses Offered at ACA
Group 1
- Language and Literature HL/SL
Group 2
- Arabic Language and Literature HL/SL (allows student to receive bilingual diploma)
- Spanish abinitio (BC)
- French abinitio (GC)
Group 3
- Economics HL/SL
- History HL/SL
- Psychology SL (GC)
Group 4
- Physics HL/SL
- Chemistry HL/SL
- Biology HL/SL
Group 5
- Math SL (HL only after passing entrance diagnostic exam)
- Computer Science SL (BC)
Group 6
Two Options to be an IB student
Option 1 – Diploma Student
Requirements: 6 subjects – 3 at HL: 3 at SL
Theory of Knowledge Course (TOK)
Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
Extended Essay (EE)
Option 2 – Course Student
Requirements: Student can pick individual courses that directly impact their future university course of study, or for which they have a passion and interest. For example, a premed student might take Biology and Psychology.
Approaches to Teaching and Approaches to Learning
The method of teaching and learning is very different in an IB course. Teachers and students work collaboratively with students taking direct responsibility for their learning. Students often team teach concepts under the direction of teachers, who function in more of an advisory role than as direct instructors. Classes are not “harder lecture” but structured for students to take an active role in their learning through inquiry and exploration. Through research, these teaching and learning methods have been positively linked to higher success in post-secondary education.