International Baccalaureate Program

Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School officially became an IB school in April 2007, along with 9 other schools in NS

The first IB Diploma Students graduated in June 2009

What is IB??

IB stands for International BaccalaureateThere are IB schools all over the world. IB

was first developed as a response to diplomats being posted all over the world and a need for a common curriculum with

rigorous academic standards.

What is IB all about??

IB Mission Statement

● The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

● To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

● These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

The IB Learner Profile

What qualities make a great IB student?????

Qualities Necessary for Success

Self MotivationFamily Supported

Good Organisational SkillsWilling participant in class

Good reading skillsGood grades

STRONG WORK ETHIC

Subjects

● What subjects are taken in IB and how are they organized???

THE HEXAGON

The Six Groups

● Group #1 Language A1(English)

● Group #2 LanguageB (French)

● Group #3 Individuals & Society (History)

● Group #4 Experimental Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

● Group #5 Mathematics

● Group #6 The Arts (Visual Art) OR 2nd subject from Grp #4

CORE COMPONENTS● Extended Essay 4000 word research

essay

● Theory Of Knowledge (TOK) Integration of knowledge from all subjects

● Creativity/Action/Service (CAS) 50 hours in each section

IB Course Offerings at Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional High School

Group #1 English HLGroup #2 French HL/SLGroup #3 History HL/S

Group #4 Biology SL, Chemistry HL/SL, Physics HL/SLGroup #5 Math SL (referred to as

“Calculus Math)Group # 6 Art HL

Pre Diploma Courses Grade 9

Grade 9 Pre Diploma courses are designed to build skill levels in each

subject. The same curriculum is covered. The goal is to bring students to a high

level of academic achievement i.e. Written work in language arts, problem

solving in mathematics, language skills in french, etc.

Grade 9 Academic vs Pre Diploma

The academic program is exactly the same in both flows. The only difference is students in the Pre Diploma class are

grouped into one classroom.

Grade 10 Academic vs Pre Diploma

● Academic

● English 10

● Math 10

● History/Geo 10

● Science 10

● Art/Drama/Music

● PAL 11

● Free choice

● Pre Diploma

● English 10 PD

● Math 10 PD

● History 10 PD

● Adv Bio 11 or Adv Physics 11

● Art 10 or Adv Chem 11

● French 10 PD

● Adv Math 11

French Immersion vs Pre Diploma

French Immersion students remain in immersion classes for Francais 9, Science 9 and Social Studies 9, and are grouped into the Pre Diploma courses for English

and Math.

French and IB???

Diploma students enrolled in the IB Diploma program in grades 11 and 12

can complete requirements to receive a bilingual IB Diploma. French must be

taken at the Higher Level and the research essay must be written in French.

And the results are in!!!!

● How did 2009 IB students at Dr. J. H. Gillis compare to the rest of the WORLD????????????????

World Pass Rate

● The last 5 years shows world pass rates which range between 78 and 83%

● Dr. J.H. Gillis pass rate in May 2009 was 93.3%

How did Dr. J.H. Gillis do compared to other NS IB students??

We are #1

Where were exams evaluated?

Bio

Malaysia

English HistoryFrench

United Kingdom

Math, Physics, Art, Bio, Eng

USA

Chemistry

Venezuela

French Chemistry

Physics

Canada

Math

Finland

Bio Chem Physics

Wales

History

Zambia

Fact vs Myth

● IB students cannot take a B.Science or Engineering because they cannot take all 3 sciences???

● False Science and Engineering programs require 2 sciences for entrance, not 3

Math SL is not acceptable for University Science/Engineering Programs

● False

Math SL is referred to as the “Calculus” math, some students do decide to enroll in Calculus 12 in the second semester of grade 12

IB students did not get credit for IB courses at University

● False● Yesterday I had 4 IB Diploma Students return,

they had attended St. F.X., Dal, Mt. A., and Queen’s

● All had been given credit for at least one 6 credit or two 3 credit courses

IB students have so much work they cannot be involved in sports or extra curricular activities

● False● This year both our student council President and

Vice-President were IB students. Many IB students are on student council committees, varsity sports such as basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, curling, etc. etc.

There is a better chance at scholarships if students do better in the advanced and regular programs

● False● In the last two years IB students have received

more scholarship offers than non-IB students

IB students do not fit into the “regular” school

● IB students do fit into the regular school. The only difference is that they are in classes which run over a two year period as opposed to a one year period as most students. Otherwise they fit into the school the same as everyone else does.

IB is elitist

● False● IB strives to create global citizens who have a

well rounded course of studies. ● The students I have dealt with over the past few

years are the furthest thing from elite

IB Marking is too easy?IB Marking is too hard?

● False● IB is quite fair. Things are marked all over the

world and many “checks” are put in place during the marking process

● IB is as fair as any other marking system● Last year our predictions were very accurate!!!

If a student takes IB certificates it will mess up their entire High School Program

● False● Certificate students like other students must plan

carefully for their High School courses. ● Students have successfully managed as many as 5

certificate courses, and as little as 1 certificate course

St F X does not support IB

● Did anyone attend graduation last year????

● This is certainly false, St F. X. is a strong supporter of the IB Program

IB is only for very bright students

● False

IB students should have the qualities discussed earlier, but it is more important to be well rounded than extremely capable in just one area

You have to be an athlete to do CAS

Certainly false. The emphasis in CAS is to try things that a student has not tried, improve upon an activity they are involved in

Major scholarships have been lost because students are in IB

● False● The opposite is true – many scholarships are

realized because students take IB● This year’s Loran Award winners in NS are all IB

Diploma students

Universities give extra points for IB courses

● Finally………….TRUE!!!

● Universities give many different incentives to IB students, one of them is extra points in the admissions process

Why do IB???

University PreparationGlobal Economy

Admissions AdvantagesUniversity Credit for HL courses

Development of well rounded studentsLearn to manage time

Shift Happens

Application Process for PreDiploma

There are 4 easy steps:

1. Complete an essay explaining why you would like to enroll in the program.

2. Have Grade 8 Math and English teachers complete the recommendation

form.3. Attach your most recent report card.4. Forward your essay, report card, and cover sheet to Mrs. Mary MacDonald, Dr.

J. H. Gillis Regional High School