1. Washburn Advanced Academics
Washburn offers
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Advanced Placement (AP)
Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
CIS – MCTC partnership- Statistics
Local college connections
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Grade 10 – Career & Tech Ed courses
Grade 11 & 12 – part time or full time student

2. Course Selection Sample- see advanced course chart in folder
As you move through your time at Washburn, you will see the number of offerings in Advanced Coursework increase
Your 9th grade options are listed on the top of the Yellow course chart for you
Moving into 10-12th grade, you will see a jump in advanced offerings especially in 11th and 12th grade

3. IB and AP Comparison IB AP
International standard of excellence
2 year well rounded education program with 6 areas of study, an extended essay, and Theory of Knowledge course
Comprehensive curriculum of college level work
IB scores based on classroom work and IB external exams
IB exams are all short answer or essay
Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) courses offered
Students can earn the full IB Diploma
National standard of excellence
Consists of independent courses
College level courses
AP score based solely on AP exam
AP exams are multiple choice and short answer or essay
Any student may take an AP exam
Students earn credit in individual courses

4. What is International Baccalaureate?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP), born in Switzerland in the 1960s, is a rigorous, internationally-recognized diploma designed to prepare students for higher education. The DP curriculum is made up of the “DP core” and six subjects (literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts). The six subjects can be taken at either a “high level” or a “standard level,” depending on an individual student’s strengths and weaknesses. The DP core is made up of three components:
1. ToK- theory of knowledge
2. the extended essay
3. CAS

5. What IB courses exist? Group 1 English Language and Literature HL
Physics SL
Chemistry SL
Biology SL or HL
Environmental Systems & Societies SL*
Sports Exercise Health Science SL
Group 5
Math Studies SL
Math SL
Math HL
Group 6
Visual Arts SL or HL
Music SL
Group 1
English
Language and Literature HL
Group 2
World Languages
Spanish SL and HL
French SL and HL
Group 3
History
History HL
History SL

6. IB Alumni Testimonials
“ The WHS IB program helped me prepare for college by helping me learn how to study and improve time management skills. Overall I think the courses and EE were quite valuable in helping me prepare for college!” – Savannah ‘15
“Having read the amount we read in my IB classes lessened the shock factor for college because you already read so much.”-Mary Margaret ’12
“IB prepared me for college because instead of forcing individuals to only memorize information, it encouraged the consideration of diverse perspectives and the development of new arguments.” – Max ‘17

7. Advanced Placement (AP)
AP courses are required to use Collegeboard approved curriculum
Pace of course is more intense than standard course
College level reading and comprehension required
Excellent preparation for IB and college coursework (in 9th and 10th grade)
Potential college credit for earning passing scores on AP exams
Classes offered at Washburn:
AP Human Geography (9th grade)
AP English Literature and Comp (10th grade)
AP US History (10th grade)
AP Statistics (10-12 grades)
Testing in May (score range:1-5)- out of class national test day

8. Current Reality 2017-2018 IB Passing rates
% of IB testing students earning a Credit Eligible score: 70.1%
% of IB testing students earning a Credit Eligible Score: 73.0%
% of IB testing students earning a Credit Eligible Score: 70.0%
WHS Nation
AP Geography exam passing rate (scoring 3.4.5) % 48%
AP US History exam passing rate (scoring 3,4,5) % 49%

9. Project Lead the Way
Project Lead the Way (PLTW); Universities and colleges throughout Minnesota offer college credit recognition to students who complete PLTW foundational courses and specialty courses from certified high schools. Students must earn a class grade of 85% or higher, taken the college credit exam with a passing grade of at least 70%.

10. Other Advanced Offerings
CLEP Exams (College Board’s College Level Examination Program)CLEP offers 33 exams in five subject areas, covering material taught in courses that you may generally take in your first two years of college. By passing a CLEP exam, you can earn 3 or more college credits. Exams cost $80
MCTC Intro Stats college credit course: Mr. Selvaag

11. My Two Cents…
Everyone should take at least 1 advanced class before you graduate from Washburn
Take advanced courses you are actively interested in, not one’s that your friends take 
Parents and students ask questions prior to course registration each year: ask current students what classes are really like, ask teachers about the classes, parents ask other parents what they have “Heard” about classes.
Take courses that will prepare you for whatever you want to do post secondary.

12. Questions??? Please feel free to email me at any time with questions: