1. Scholars Academy and IB Diploma Program Miami Beach Senior High
Your Home at
Miami Beach Senior High
Mr. David Guthrie
Lead Teacher, Scholars Academy
Mr. Carlos Rodriguez
IB Coordinator

2. MBSH Since 2007 Raised school performance grade to an A school
US News top ranked MDCPS non-charter/magnet public HS
More than doubled AP participation from 625 to 1585
An IB World School
85% of IB students have received IB Diploma
Implemented seven career and college prep academies
Completely remodeled/new facility

3. MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH IS A COMPREHENSIVE, PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT SERVES 2500 STUDENTS
Historically, several academies provided specialized instruction to smaller groups of students prior to 2008:
Scholars Academy
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
Academy of Information Technology
Research shows that students perform better in smaller learning communities.
The existing academies have been extremely popular institutions at Beach High.
In , new academies were established within three “schools within our school.”

4. THE NEW BEACH HIGH: SCHOOLS WITHIN A SCHOOL 2008-2009
School of Liberal Arts
School of Technical Arts
School of Creative Arts
Academy of Marine and Environmental Science (AMES)
Scholars Academy
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
Academy of Education and Training
Academy of Information Technology
Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
Academy of Communications and Digital Media
Other Programs
AVID Program
Naval JROTC Program
IB Program

5. BENEFITS TO AN “ALL ACADEMY MODEL” AT MIAMI BEACH SENIOR HIGH
Personalized Learning Environments
Academic Engagement of All Students
Empowered Educators
All youth ready for college, careers, and active civic participation.
Engaged Community and Youth
Accountable Leaders
Integrated System of High Standards, Curriculum, Instruction, Assessments, and Support

6. Feedback on Academic Rigor from Youth Truth Advisory Survey
Most of my teachers apply themselves with an enthusiasm about their subject which is contagious, and this really helps me as a student to gain interest and do well in the subject they teach.”
“In my school they provide us with AP classes which are college level courses which prepare me for college. And because of this I feel like I'm already a college student and not in high school.”
“Having more challenging classes will help me challenge myself in the future and help me understand what I'm against in a career.”

7. IS THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY RIGHT FOR YOU?
Students begin college level, Advanced Placement (AP) coursework in grade 9 with options increasing each year.
Students may apply for the IB Diploma Program for grades 11-12, or continue with AP and advanced classes.
Students must maintain an “unweighted” GPA of 3.0 in the academic core courses of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies.

8. ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES AND EXAMS
The core curriculum of the Scholars Academy includes Honors and Advanced Placement courses and exams.
AP courses are high school classes that can count for introductory college coursework when students pass an AP exam.
AP exams are scored on a scale of 1-5 by The College Board. Scores of 3 or higher are considered passing, but many universities require scores of 4 or 5 to earn college credit.
AP syllabi must be approved by The College Board, ensuring that AP courses are taught at the same high level nationwide.

10. Miami Beach Senior High has increased access to its Advanced Placement curriculum, while maintaining a pass rate above the Miami-Dade County Public Schools average.

11. Students may apply for the IB Diploma Program during the sophomore year.
The IB Diploma is based on taking a series of advanced classes in 6 subject areas with both internal and external tests and assessments. Most classes are two years in length.
Students also complete requirements by writing an extended essay, doing community service projects, and completing TOK class.
The program highlights development of a well-rounded individual with an “international minded” outlook.
The IB Diploma curriculum is highly respected and honored by universities throughout the world.
Additional information is available at

12. Programmes : What is the Learner Profile
Programmes : What is the Learner Profile? It’s the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century.
IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
Balanced
Reflective
The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the IB continuum of international education: these are values that should infuse all elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the culture and ethos of all IB World Schools.
IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge. 12

13. Students study concurrently:
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? The curriculum contains six subject groups and a core of three parts.
Students study concurrently:
three subjects at higher level (240 hours each).
three subjects at standard level (150 hours each).
all three parts of the core.
The IB Learner Profile and the core are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Programme.

14. Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain
Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? There are three core requirements
The extended essay:
4,000 words
Offers the opportunity to investigate a research question of individual interest
Familiarises students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university

15. Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
Creativity, action and service
(CAS):
Encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service
Education outside the classroom
Development of the learner profile

16. Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
Theory of knowledge:
Interdisciplinary
Explores the nature of knowledge across disciplines
Encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives

17. Services: What is special about IB assessment
Services: What is special about IB assessment? IB assessment is rigorous, criterion related, consistent and differentiating of student ability.
Diploma Programme assessment includes both final examinations and internal assessment undertaken by the teacher to IB criteria and then externally moderated by the IB.
All 4,000 examiners are ‘quality checked’ through a process of moderation.
The IB undertakes random inspections of schools during exams.
Results are published on 5 July for May session and 5 January for the November session.
The diploma is graded over 45 points giving ample scope to differentiate student ability
Marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).
Diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points.
The overall diploma pass rate is broadly consistent year on year
Diploma Programme assessment – principles and practice – available on

18. University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by universities? The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.  
The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the world to
gain recognition for the IB diploma:
Direct online access for university admissions officers and government officials to syllabuses and recent examination papers
A database of university admission policies on
Recognition in over 100 countries
Recognition by over 2,000 universities
Some universities offer scholarships and advanced placement for IB students
Students applying to a particular university can access their grades
directly from the IB’s secure web site.

20. SCHOLARS ACADEMY students perform at the top of their class at Miami Beach Senior High, and are competitive nationally for college recruitment

21. Scholars Academy graduates
have been accepted at:
Yale, U Penn, Harvard, USC, Emory,
U Chicago, Princeton, Georgetown,
Dartmouth, Cornell, Duke, MIT, UC Berkeley,
Purdue, Beloit, Fordham, Georgia Tech,
Swarthmore, Wisconsin, New College,
U Florida, Smith, NYU, Santa Clara, FIU,
Tulane, Hampshire, Bucknell, Boston College,
Lehigh, Hampton, FSU, Johns Hopkins,
Wash U, U Miami, U Michigan, USF,
Loyola NO, Drexel, Hartford, St. John’s,
Suffolk, U Texas, George Washington, Barry,
MDC Honors College, Pratt Institute, NC State,
Bowling Green State, Boston University, and many more

22. SCHOLARS ACADEMY ADMISSIONS AND RETENTION:
The Scholars Academy has grown to accept approximately 150 incoming 9th grade students. Students must have completed Honors Algebra 1 and Physical Science prior to 9th grade.
Once students matriculate into the program, they are required to maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.0 in the academic core courses of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies.
Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum standards are placed on Academic Probation, and are expected to meet minimum standards by the end of one year or exit the program.
A small number of students exit each year because of family moves or poor academic performance, opening up spaces for determined sophomores and juniors.

23. How can I get an application?
Apply online at the school website at: and click on the academies banner and follow the links to Scholars Academy and IB Program.
We have tours throughout the semester.
If you attend private school please mail your transcripts from 6th-8th grades to:
Miami Beach Senior High Scholars Academy
Attn: David Guthrie
2231 Prairie Avenue
Miami Beach, FL ext2708