International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate

Founded in 1968, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is an academically-rigorous University preparatory program that runs through the junior and senior years of high school. The program aims to develop critical thinking skills, research skills, and international-mindedness: an ability to respect those different from oneself, and a desire to make a difference in the world.

The IB Diploma Program is well recognized and respected by U.S. universities, as well as institutions abroad. Many institutions give advanced standing and credit to IB students. IB students have also been shown to have a college admissions advantage over non-IB students:

NDA International Baccalaureate Information
Download the NDA IB Information Sheet
Download the NDA IB Information Booklet
Download the NDA IB Application

General International Baccalaureate Information
Download the General Regulations Guide
Download the General Regulations Guide Amendments

School:	Total Population Acceptance	Total IB Candidate Acceptance	Diploma Candidate Acceptance
University of Florida	58.0%	88.4%	88.9%
Virginia Polytechnic Institute	66.0%	67.9%	80.2%
James Madison University	58.0%	65.1%	76.9%
University of Virginia	39.0%	55.9%	61.3%
University of California, LA	24.0%	41.4%	48.5%
University of California, San Diego	41.0%	60.5%	65.6%
University of California, Berkeley	24.0%	45.4%	50.6%
Florida State University	70.0%	92.9%	94.6%
George Mason University	66.0%	88.4%	97.5%
University of California, Irvine	56.0%	85.8%	89.9%

Full Diploma Program

Students take IB courses in six core areas of study: Language A1 (English), Individuals and Societies (History), Mathematics, The Arts (Theatre Arts), Experimental Sciences (Biology), and Second Language (Spanish). Core courses offered in Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). All HL courses run over two years. SL courses may run over one or two years

Students participate in a two-year Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. TOK is a philosophy course that focuses on how knowledge is acquired in different disciplines. It serves to form connections between the six core courses in which students will be participating.

Students participate in a Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) Program. Over two years, students will participate in and reflect on a variety of activities that are creative, action-oriented, and serviceoriented, including at least one long-term project.

Students write a 4000-word Extended Essay (EE), a mini-thesis on a topic of their choice. Working closely with a mentor, students conduct research and compose an essay for submission to IBO.

All IB courses culminate with examinations that are scored by an external examiner. A passing grade in an IB course is determined based on a combination of internal (in-class) assessments and external examinations taken at the end of the junior and/or senior year.

How to Plan for IB at NDA

9th Grade	10th Grade
English 1 Honors	English 2 Honors
Spanish 1 Honors (or higher) OR Chinese 1 Honors OR Latin 1 Honors (or higher)	Spanish 2 Honors (or higher) OR Chinese 2 Honors OR Latin 2 Honors (or higher)
World History Honors	AP Psychology
Biology (Regular or Honors)	Chemistry (Regular or Honors)
Math 1 Honors (or higher)	Math 2 Honors (or higher)
Speech and Drama 1 OR Art 1	Art 2 (required for IB Visual Arts only) OR Elective
Theology 1	Theology 2
Health/PE	Computer Apps/Elective

IB Trained Teachers at NDA

Group 1: Ms. Lindsay Sutton Mrs. Jean Walker Mrs. Kelly Wood	Group 2: Mrs. Cathy Cook Mrs. Alison Tansey Mr. Steve Strauss	Group 3: Mrs. Susie Huffmann Mrs. Kristine Malik
Group 4: Mrs. Chris Chapman Mrs. Jackie Sperling	Group 5: Mrs. Karri Adler Mr. Joe Gerhardinger Mr. Matt Gruenwald Mrs. Marcia Miller	Group 6: Mr. David DeChristopher Mrs. Susan Kozal Mrs. Trish Sanders
TOK: Mrs. Laura Gallaher Ms. Angela Joseph Mrs. Steve Strauss	CAS: Mrs. Cheryl Pryor Ms. Angela Joseph	EE: Ms. Angela Joseph Mrs. Laurie Gallaher Mrs. Kathryn McGowan

Students are encouraged to approach the above teachers (in bold) for more information about specific content, course delivery, or course assessment strategies.

Students are encouraged to participate in the Full Diploma Program, as the program is designed to embrace an interdisciplinary, international, and action-oriented philosophy. However, students can also opt to take individual IB courses, and earn certificates for each course taken.

IB Application Process:

1. Fill out IB Application and return to Ms. Joseph (by October of 9th grade year)
2. Interview with Ms. Joseph
3. Have a parent meeting with Ms. Joseph

The IB Program is meant to be self-selecting, but several considerations must be made before a student can be enrolled in an IB course:

1. Student should maintain an 88% or higher in all coursework
2. Student should be highly academically motivated and independent
3. Student should enjoy critical thinking and the idea of being challenged academically

If this sounds like you, you could be IB!