1. The International Baccalaureate
An Introduction for Grade 9 & 10 Parents Guide at ISM

2. The IB Coordinator Mike Relf Contact: relfm@ismanila.org
Tel:
Office: 1066 (guidance)
About me:
Teacher 18 years
Geography & ToK
UK, Jordan, Venezuela
Examiner ToK / Geography
2nd Year at ISM
3 children…
not troubled by IB yet!

3. Goal… A Presentation in 4 Parts
Part 1: About the IB Diploma… a beginners guide
Part 2: What options do I have and how do I choose?
Part 3: Advantages & Disadvantages of the IB Diploma?
Part 4: Some University Perspectives
Q & A

4. Part1: What is the IB Diploma?…
Challenging Two year Pre- University High School program
Create Well Rounded & Well Educated Individuals
Balance of Breadth and depth
What the IB Says…
A Video Introduction from some Ib students:
At ISM…
Open Door…
Non-selective… but recommendations
Diploma Vs Certificate Vs ISM Diploma

5. The IB Philosophy
Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something that International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Program students come to know and understand.

6. This philosophy is achieved through the IB Hexagon

7. Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-Minded
Caring
Risk-Takers
Balanced
Reflective

8. How is it Assessed? Each subject is scored on a scale 1-7 (7 is best!)
Students study 6 subjects
Max subject score = 6x7 = 42
ToK + EE = 0-3 points = 42+3 = 45! Perfect Score
2011
104,998 diploma global candidates – 96 scored 45 (0.001%) – 193 scored 44 (0.002%)
Average 29.5 pts

9. IB Candidate Numbers at ISM

10. Some Figures from May 2011 170 candidates sitting IB exams
113 Diploma candidates
111 achieved diploma
Average Total Points Score 34.4
Highest 44 (Smriti & Manny) (possible 45)
13 candidates scores over 40

11. ISM Results highlights 2011

12. Results trends

13. Compulsory Elements 1: Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
Philosophical Investigation based around 2 key questions…
What do I Know?
How do I know it?
Assessment
1 essay from a selection prescribed by IB
1 presentation – subject chosen by student

14. Compulsory Element 2: Extended Essay (EE)
4000 word investigation into a student chosen academic subject
Must follow strict academic investigation in line with university expectations
Guided by supervisor
Externally assessed
Chance to develop an interest / academic depth

15. Compulsory Element 3: Creativity Action Service (CAS)
IB Diploma Requirement… you must complete the CAS requirements in order to obtain a diploma – 150 hours
As the IB States… “the CAS program fosters student awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena”
It encourages you to develop skills and experiences beyond your current context
It enables you to develop skills beyond the academic
It makes you a ‘better person’

16. Part 2: What Options do I Have & How do I Choose?
4 Year Plan Process… begins in Grade 9 and continues in Grade 10 – Guidance
IB Diploma Vs Certificate Vs ISM Diploma?
Graduation Requirements
Guidance Counselor Role
Homeroom
20th 24th February Grade 10 Registration Week

17. Course Choices by IB Group
Course Options at ISM
Group1 – 1st language
English, Korean, Japanese
Group 2 – Language Acquisition
English, Mandarin, Japanese, , Spanish, French… or second First language inc. Filipino
Group 3 – Social Studies
Economics, Business & Management, Geography, History, Psychology, Environmental Systems & Societies*
Group 4 – Sciences
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems & Societies*, Sports Exercise & Health Science
Group 5 – Mathematics
Math Studies, SL, HL, Computer Science
Group 6 – The Arts & Electives
Theatre, Film, Visual Arts,
or another subject from any group!

18. Course Offerings…
IB Blog

19. Part 3: Advantages & Disadvantages of the IB Diploma?
Academic Rigor
Become a ‘Better’ Person
Opens more ‘doors’– university / subjects
International Recognition
Mobile
Challenge
Learner Profile!
Ask around and check out the quotes…

20. Disadvantages of the IB Diploma
Cost
Time
Organization
Stress
Academic pressure
Not the easy option!
Realistic Expectations
Overload – caution
Extra Curricular Management
Organization
Need?

21. Part 4: The Key Question… How will the IB help my child in the university entrance process?
“Send us prepared students a la IB...It is the “best” high school prep curriculum an American school can offer.” —Marilee Jones, Former Director of Undergraduate Admission, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Click for IB Video
“The IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript.”—Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Undergraduate Admission Harvard University
“One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum
is terrific.” — Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admission, Duke University

22. University Quotes… more of the same
McGill has enthusiastically recruited IB students for over two decades. Even today, when reviewing an application from an IB Diploma candidate our admissions officers can be assured of the candidate’s strong and broad based academic preparation. We have seen that IB students embrace the rigorous academic challenges of university life and perform well in their McGill programmes. As a member of the College and University Recognition Taskforce, I can attest to the respected position of the IB diploma at prestigious universities throughout North America. - Kim Bartlett - Director of Admissions McGill University
Recent studies on IB Diploma Program graduates in university confirm that they perform well and have significantly higher grade point averages and higher graduation rates than students who did not complete the IB Diploma Program. Scores on IB assessments are also a significant predictor of performance in university. - IBO Higher Education Research Group

23. Activity… Sticky notes… Questions / concerns… stick them up…
Answer common ones then others address in Q & A session at the end

24. Video… Some ISM Advice from 2011
The student perspective..

25. Q&A