1. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE at Lamar Academy at Lamar Academy Middle Years Program Grades 9-10 Diploma Program Grades 11-12

2. What sets IB apart? Global curriculum – Will cover topics not usually covered in American classrooms Students take an all IB curriculum Extensive writing Challenges students to think critically and see the connection between their courses Independent Research Community service component Aims to prepare students to be contributing members to their communities

3. Structure School day is from 8:00am – 4:00pm Block Schedule – A days and B days – 90 minute classes No bells – 5 minutes passing period Student body – 320 (9 – 12) Greek letters for each class – You will be the Omicron (  ) Class

4. The 8 Academic Areas/ Subject Groups (MYP) Students are required to study in all of these areas at a Pre-Diploma Program level of challenge and rigor: – English – Second Language – Humanities – Sciences – Mathematics – Arts – Physical Education – Technology MYP students must additionally: --complete a community service component --undertake independent research – the Personal Project Taken as a whole, the curriculum provides a balanced education that will equip young people for effective participation in the modern world.

5. Challenge All IB MYP courses are at the most challenging level Students cannot pick and choose their IB courses So courses earn extra points – Same value as pre-AP courses

6. Extra-curriculars Classes at the home campus will be band, choir, athletics We offer clubs and organizations – Masterminds – Constitution Team – Student government – Student designed clubs

7. Who comes to IB? All McAllen ISD students may apply Also allow applications from students out of district We get students who: – Want academic challenge – Want a small school environment – Want to have an edge in college We look for students who: – Have good work ethic – Have demonstrated strength in academics

8. Is IB right for your child? Is your child a strong student (at least 3.0 GPA in the core subjects?) Is your child doing well in his/her current honors courses? – These are good preparation for the type of work they will be doing at IB Does your child look for ways to challenge him/herself out of the classroom? Is your child interested in what (s)he is learning and does (s)he ask questions? Is your child always prepared—does (s)he keep up with assignments, reading, projects, studies for tests? Does your child respect and meet deadlines? Does your child organize and manage his/her time and responsibilities well?

9. Honor Code We strongly enforce the honor code at Lamar Academy Students involved in academic dishonesty will be dismissed from the IB Program at Lamar Academy. 1 st offense – warning 2 nd offense – dismissal from the program

10. Exit Policy Students/parents may initiate exit at 1 st six weeks, 1 st semester, end of the year – Students will return to home campus or other parent choice school School can initiate an exit for a student – Violation of honor code – Failing semester grades in any IB class at end of the semester

11. Application Will be available at http://lamar.mcallenisd.org or can pick up at Lamar Academy beginning Nov. 15.http://lamar.mcallenisd.org Teacher Recommendations – English, History, Science, Math – At least 22 out of 33 points per teacher Components – 1 st semester grades: advanced courses/80s – EOC scores: at least a Level 2 score of 2000 Writing samples (January 12, January 26) – English and math: minimal scores of 6 out of 15 All application components must be received by February 15 General Information Meetings – December 6, December 11, December 15 – Lamar Academy

12. Invitations to IB Will be made in the spring (April/May) Summer reading assignments Students may decline the invitation – Next entry point to IB Program will be in 11 th grade