Shawnee Mission International Baccalaureate Program

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the International Baccalaureate Program?
I've never heard of the International Baccalaureate before. Is it an organization?
The IB sounds like a great deal of work. What are the advantages of taking an IB curriculum?
Which high schools in Kansas offer the IB Diploma Program?
Are all International Baccalaureate programs/schools alike?
Can I attend an IB school if my home high school does not offer the program?
Will I be required to take an entrance examination to qualify for the IB program?
How do I enroll in the IB?
Since IB courses do not officially begin until grade 11, when do transfer students come to East or Northwest?
Can I substitute Latin for one of the modern languages in the IB?
Are IB teachers specially trained?
I have heard that most IB courses are "weighted." What does this mean?
Can I take AP classes and AP exams in addition to the IB program?
What are the differences between AP and IB courses/exams?
Can I pay to take an IB Exam if I am not a student in an IB school?
What is the difference between high level and standard level tests?
Do American colleges "favor" either the IB or the AP?
Do I get college credit for taking an IB subject?
Is there any advantage to taking IB courses if I plan to attend college or university within the US ? On the other hand, can I begin college abroad without the IB Diploma?
What is CAS?
Once I begin the IB Diploma, can I record the sports, clubs and service activities I already do as my CAS activities, or do I have to do additional things?
How do IB courses compare to other high school courses?
What preparation does my child need in order to succeed in an IB Program?
Why should I encourage my child to take IB courses?
What is Theory of Knowledge?
How and when do IB students test in their subjects?
What scores must a student earn in order to gain the diploma?
How much will IB examinations cost?
Does my child have to take an IB course in order to take an IB exam?
How can I help my child prepare for IB courses?
How can I be sure the courses my child is taking are preparing him/her for IB courses?
When does the International Baccalaureate Program Officially Begin?
What would my 9th or 10th grader be taking?
Can my child participate in athletics and other extracurricular activities while enrolled in the IB Program?
Since IB is a fairly small program, will my child be segregated from the rest of the school?
Why should my child participate in the IB Program?

What is the International Baccalaureate Program?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is an internationally recognized curriculum that offers 11th and 12th grade students an opportunity to earn the IB diploma. To earn the IB diploma, students complete and test in six IB subjects; write an extended essay of independent research guided by a faculty mentor, complete 150 hours of creative, action, and service activities (CAS); and participate in a critical thinking course called Theory of Knowledge. This advanced, comprehensive program of study offers an integrated approach to learning across the disciplines with an emphasis on meeting the challenges of living and working in a global, technological society. Students who take IB courses without completing the entire program may earn IB certificates by testing in selected IB courses.

I've never heard of the International Baccalaureate before. Is it an organization?

The International Baccalaureate Program is governed by the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva , Switzerland and administered by the International Baccalaureate Curriculum and Assessment Center in Cardiff , Wales . The organization originated over thirty years ago in Europe as an effort by international schools to assure quality educational standards for students, regardless of where they lived. Today, the organization uses the talents of educators around the world to continuously update curriculum, train teachers, assess student work, and evaluate the program.

The IB sounds like a great deal of work. What are the advantages of taking an IB curriculum?

There are numerous advantages to taking the IB curriculum. First, the IB curriculum was originally designed to insure a cohesive, comprehensive education for students, no matter where they lived in the world. Today, that goal is still at the forefront of the IB mission. Students who complete this program are preparing, not only for success in college, but for success in life. Students gain a broader world view; follow in-depth approaches to the academic disciplines; and develop time management, problem-solving, research, and organizational skills that will remain with them long after the IB experience is over. CAS activities provide opportunities for student involvement in the larger community beyond classroom walls. An additional benefit is that student work is assessed over a two-year period using internationally accepted performance standards. Student achievement is assessed in a variety of ways: on examinations that are developed and scored by international examiners; on oral language demonstrations in both the student's native language and a modern second language; and on science laboratory notebooks, art portfolios, computer science dossiers, essays, and other projects. These activities all count for a percentage of the student's final score in each subject and allow the classroom teacher to have input to the student's scores. The IB Program also allows for student and school flexibility in choosing areas of academic interest for student research.

Which high schools in Kansas offer the IB Diploma Program?

Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission Northwest are the only high schools in Johnson County to offer the program. The program is also offered at Sumner Academy in Kansas City , KS , Hutchinson High School, and at Wichita East High School.

Are all International Baccalaureate programs/schools alike?

All certified IB diploma schools share certain features - they must provide the necessary range of subjects to allow students to complete the IB diploma, they must offer appropriately demanding coursework to prepare students adequately for IB exams and other assessments, and they must maintain a staff of trained IB teachers. These similarities among IB schools make it easier for a student to move from one state or country to another. However, there are many courses available within the IB, and each individual school chooses how many and which ones to offer. Most IB schools in the US offer the subjects which fulfill their respective state and local graduation requirements, and as many elective subjects as their student enrollment will permit. Please see the IB curriculum section, under course sequences, to see the differences between Shawnee Mission Northwest and Shawnee Mission East.

Can I attend an IB school if my home high school does not offer the program?

Yes - While the IB Program is only offered at East and Northwest, a family residing within the school district can apply for the program by completing a transfer form along with the application. Students can then transfer to East or Northwest for the IB program in ninth, tenth or eleventh grade, provided the student intends to complete the full IB Diploma.It is best to transfer prior to the start of 9th grade. Students who live in Kansas but who do not live in the Shawnee Mission School District can also apply to the IB Program with a tuition form. Unfortunately, students who live in Missouri can not attend the IB Program at Shawnee Mission East or Shawnee Mission Northwest.

Will I be required to take an entrance examination to qualify for the IB program?

No - students are accepted into the program if they meet the district guidelines.

How do I enroll in the IB?

Students planning to pursue the full IB Diploma need to meet with the IB coordinator in addition to making this known to their guidance counselor. We encourage one or both parents to be present for the IB conference as well. The ideal time for a student to meet with the IB coordinator is during the second half of grade 8 or 9; students who are not East or Northwest-based, but want to transfer to one of those schools as a ninth grader should schedule a conference during the second half of grade 8.

Since IB courses do not officially begin until grade 11, when do transfer students come to East or Northwest?

Transfer students may come to either school at the beginning of 9 th , 10 th or 11 th grades. Because the first two year of high school are spent taking mostly honors classes, students can take these courses at any of the high schools. Some students choose to begin their high school experience at East or Northwest while others wait to come to transfer in eleventh grade. However, an important consideration is that once beginning high school - making friends, joining sports teams, clubs and other organizations - it becomes very hard to leave and 'start over' in a new school.

Can I substitute Latin for one of the modern languages in the IB?

Yes - Beginning in 2003 'classical languages' were included with modern languages in 'Group 2' of the IB diploma curriculum design. There are four world languages currently offered as a part of the IB program at East and Northwest. They are currently German, Spanish, Latin, and French.

Are IB teachers specially trained?

Yes - IB teachers start out by attending training seminars offered through the IB North America offices. Following that, they periodically receive updates and notification of curriculum changes from the IB Curriculum Center. (All IB teachers have a say in curriculum decisions about IB courses.)

IB teachers at East and Northwest have two additional ways of staying current with their subject and colleagues: there is an On-line Curriculum Center connecting them with IB teachers and examiners around the world in their subject area, and we have an active regional network of IB schools in the Midwest states. This regional network provides opportunities for teachers to meet on a regular basis and assists them in communicating with one another electronically.

I have heard that most IB courses are "weighted." What does this mean?

In recognition of the added difficulty and work involved in IB and AP courses, Shawnee Mission awards an additional grade point to the student's GPA upon successful completion of a "weighted" course. All IB courses are weighted in their final year and many in grade 11 as well. Please check with the IB coordinator or guidance counselor about the weighting of specific classes.

Can I take AP classes and AP exams in addition to the IB program?

Yes - both AP courses and IB courses are offered at both IB schools. Most IB students take several AP exams as well as the six IB exams.

What are the differences between AP and IB courses/exams?

The difficulty level of AP and IB courses does not differ significantly; both are academically demanding and require motivation and commitment on the part of the student. Many teachers who have taught both AP and IB feel that the AP examination requires students to memorize and recall a large number of specific facts; the IB exam requires students to understand broad concepts, analyze information, answer a question or solve a given problem by applying necessary or appropriate information, address an issue or problem never before encountered.

Some notable differences between IB and AP include the following:

There is much interconnection between IB subjects, and teachers are asked frequently to work and plan collaboratively. AP courses usually stand alone, and do not rely on input from other subject areas.
Most IB courses are two-year classes, with the exam taken at the end of the second year. AP courses are single-year classes.
There are two levels of mastery available in IB courses and tests; there is a single AP test available for most subjects. (Two levels of difficulty are available in AP Calculus - the 'AB' test and the 'BC' test.)
The content of some courses differs, reflecting the international nature of the IB and the US-based approach of the AP.
The format of the respective examinations is different. IB tests are essay-based and AP tests have a large number of multiple-choice questions.
IB teachers have some input into each student's test score by means of the Internal Assessment portion of the course, usually about 20% of the final mark. This teacher input is moderated, to ensure that the same standards apply worldwide. AP students' scores are determined by the AP exam alone.

Can I pay to take an IB Exam if I am not a student in an IB school?

No - the IB requires that a student be enrolled in an IB school and in an IB class in order to register for an IB exam.

What is the difference between high level and standard level tests?

A minimum of 150 classroom hours is necessary to take a Standard Level (SL) exam and a minimum of 240 hours to take a Higher Level (HL) exam. Therefore, high level exams can only be taken senior year and the student must have studied the subject consecutively during junior and senior year.

Do American colleges "favor" either the IB or the AP?

For an extensive explanation of College and the IB Program please open the following:
IB College Acceptance Rates (PDF)
College and the IB Program (PDF)

No - colleges realize that students normally attend a high school offering one program or the other and that a good score on either exam is a likely indicator of success in college. However, prior to the 1990's the IB was relatively rare in US public schools, so some smaller US colleges may not be as familiar with it as they are with the AP. This issue has largely disappeared among competitive universities and is diminishing rapidly nationwide now that more and more high schools offer the IB. Most universities publish their recognition policies on their websites.

Do I get college credit for taking an IB subject?

For an extensive explanation of College and the IB Program please open the following:
College and the IB Program (PDF)

Not automatically - any credit or advanced standing awarded by a college or university is dependent upon a number of factors. The obvious first considerations are the policies of the specific college/university the student has decided to attend and the score the student has received on the IB exam(s). Other determinations include the IB subjects/examinations that were taken, the level of the examinations, the student's college major, etc. The best way to find out which colleges/universities give college credit is to go to that places' website.

Is there any advantage to taking IB courses if I plan to attend college or university within the US? On the other hand, can I begin college abroad without the IB Diploma?

For an extensive explanation of College and the IB Program please open the following:
College and the IB Program (PDF)

American colleges and universities certainly look for students who have taken academically rigorous courses in high school in preparation for doing college work. Both IB and AP courses provide more challenging experiences, and are necessary for consideration by top universities. To answer the second part of your question, if a student has not completed the IB diploma, foreign universities in general do not recognize a US high school diploma alone as adequate for admission. They often require an additional year or two of academic preparation before accepting an American student.

What is CAS?

CAS is the acronym for Creativity / Action / Service - the extra-curricular component of the IB diploma. At the outset of the junior year, each diploma candidate will design an individual plan that includes opportunities for personal enrichment (Creativity), physical activity (Action) and reaching out to others less fortunate in the community and/or around the world (Service.) As part of its commitment to life-long learning, the IB feels these activities are important in the development of the whole person, and has included CAS as part of the diploma to ensure that you challenge yourself in ways other than your academics endeavors.

Once I begin the IB Diploma, can I record the sports, clubs and service activities I already do as my CAS activities, or do I have to do additional things?

Nearly all extra-curricular activities you are already involved in will count toward your 150-hour CAS project. Remember, too, that many activities outside of school - such as those in scouting or with church youth groups - are ideal as well. Please check with the school IB coordinator or CAS coordinator for more details.

How do IB courses compare to other high school courses?

IB courses are more challenging. They are aimed at highly motivated students who seek extra challenge and involvement in their education beyond the classroom.

What preparation does my child need in order to succeed in an IB Program?

Because IB courses offer a high degree of challenge, students should, above all, be highly motivated learners. To participate in the IB diploma program, students should take the most challenging math strand they can and begin a second language as soon as possible (Spanish and French students should complete at least one year in the language prior to starting high school). In addition, students should complete graduation requirements such as health, P.E. and computer applications early in their high school program. Honors or enriched level classes in 9th and 10th grades provide solid academic training for the IB. Students need to develop good reading and writing skills and good study habits early in their schooling.

Why should I encourage my child to take IB courses?

Students who succeed in the IB Program do better than many other groups of students in university level work. Two studies carried out in the 1980s indicated that IB students maintained higher grade point averages at universities and earned higher average SAT scores than students who had not attended IB schools. Clearly, the knowledge and skills obtained in an IB Program prepare students to succeed in higher education. Furthermore, university admissions officials expect students to take the most challenging courses of which they are capable in high school. Also, students who take IB courses learn to see the world from a variety of perspectives, to examine different points of view, and to see themselves as part of the world community.

What is Theory of Knowledge?

IB diploma students take Theory of Knowledge, a course that encourages students to make connections among the academic disciplines and to examine knowledge, perception, and language as they relate to those disciplines.

How and when do IB students test in their subjects?

IB diploma candidates test in three or four of their subjects at the higher level and two to three of their subjects at the subsidiary level (standard level). Up to two subsidiary level tests may be taken in May of the junior year. All other tests are taken in May of the senior year. Higher level tests are longer and more challenging than subsidiary level tests; these are the tests which may qualify for college credit. All examinations are administered by the high school, which is responsible for ensuring that IB standards for testing conditions are met.

What scores must a student earn in order to gain the diploma?

Diploma candidates must earn a total of 24 points on their six IB examinations. Bonus points may be awarded for excellent extended essays, and for excellent Theory of Knowledge work. A score of 4 is considered to be a passing score on an IB examination. Though every university has its own criteria, most universities which award credit for IB courses require a score of 5 or better on higher level exams. The highest score possible on an IB exam is a 7.

How much will IB examinations cost?

Currently, IB fees are a one-time $700.00 for the entire program. When fees are totaled, they are comparable to the fees for AP exams on a per test average.

Does my child have to take an IB course in order to take an IB exam?

Yes! The IB is a curriculum that provides for ongoing assessment throughout the two-year program. Because a percentage of the exam score is based on those assessments, the student cannot just sit for an exam without having taken the course.

How can I help my child prepare for IB courses?

Students who plan to take IB courses should begin their preparation early, certainly by middle school. Encourage students to develop and practice good study habits and to work on time management skills. Proficiency in a second language is necessary so language classes should begin early. Maintaining a serious attitude toward learning, developing independence, and encouraging self-motivation are all important factors in student success at any level.

How can I be sure the courses my child is taking are preparing him/her for IB courses?

Schools that belong to the IB organization must undergo a rigorous selection process. They constantly scrutinize and evaluate their own programs in order to be certain that they measure up to IB standards. Each year, the International Baccalaureate Assessment Center provides schools with feedback about student and teacher performance that helps schools to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in each subject. The IB organization also carries out periodic reevaluations of member schools and provides ongoing teacher training. IB schools want their programs to succeed, and that happens when students succeed.

When does the International Baccalaureate Program Officially Begin?

The IB Diploma program officially begins in the 11th grade.

What would my 9th or 10th grader be taking?

Students would enroll in the most challenging courses they could during freshman and sophomore year. This must include honors English and a second language.

Can my child participate in athletics and other extracurricular activities while enrolled in the IB Program?

Yes. In fact, students are encouraged to have an active and balanced high school program. Students who are actively involved in their school's extracurricular programs will be filling componets of CAS, but other activities outside of school can also be used for CAS.

Since IB is a fairly small program, will my child be segregated from the rest of the school?

No. IB students are in exclusive classes for two to three hours of the day. The rest of the day, they share classes with the other students of the school. Some IB classes are actually mixed with AP students!

Why should my child participate in the IB Program?

The IB Diploma is the most prestigious high school diploma in the world. It is the only diploma recognized internationally. More than 400 colleges and universities in the United States provide admission, scholarships, and advanced placement opportunities for IB students.