International Baccalaureate Program
Theory of Knowledge Seniors (12 grade) Espanol
Theory of Knowledge Juniors (11 grade) Espanol
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program provides a rigorous education for highly motivated and academically proficient Watkins Mill High School (WMHS) students in grade 11 and 12. It represents a deliberate compromise between the demand for specialization in the high school curriculum and the emphasis for breadth of knowledge. The IB program is unique in that it provides a cohesive interdisciplinary education leading to a diploma that is recognized at universities throughout the world. It is a challenging course of study that prepares young people for post-secondary education. Students are often given special attention by colleges when their college applications are reviewed, and many receive college credit for their IB coursework.
An IB student pursues studies in English, foreign language, experimental sciences, mathematics, history and a sixth subject elective. In addition to the course work and passing grades on examinations in these six subjects, students complete 150 hours of CAS (Creativity, Action, Service), an extended essay of 4,000 words, and the course "Theory of Knowledge" (ToK). Teachers provide interdisciplinary instruction whereby students study common processes, themes and materials within and across the subject areas. The examinations in each subject, the Theory of Knowledge culminating activity, and the extended essay are all graded externally and/or evaluated by staff from IB schools throughout the world. Students who participate fulfill the Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements as well as IB Diploma requirements.
At Watkins Mill, the IB Program has an informal pre-IB component for grades 9 and 10, with the recognized IB component for grades 11 and 12. Students prepare for IB by selecting Pre-IB/Honors courses in grades 9 and 10. Students at Watkins Mill do not need to pass entrance exams to participate, but they should be aware of several entrance "conditions" that will help assure their success in the IB program.
Entrance Conditions
A student should recognize that entering and persisting in the IB program requires self motivation to meet the challenges of the program.
A student should demonstrate success in honors courses taken in grades 9 and 10.
A student needs to make thoughtful decisions about what activities to be involved in that supplement the IB program and, in particular, the CAS requirements. Strong time management skills will enable a student to succeed in academics as well as participate in preferred activities in and out of school.
A successful IB student should enjoy reading and be willing to read extensively at an advanced level.
Most of the IB curriculum requires good communication skills and so students need to be willing to expend the time and effort to learn to speak and write clearly and effectively.
IB Preparation
Students in Grades 9 and 10 who are considering IB must prepare for the Diploma Program by selecting appropriate classes.
For students in Grade 9:
- Enroll in Pre-IB English 9 and AP or Honors United States History.
- Continue with mathematics in either Honors Geometry or Algebra 1 or the next recommended level.
- Choose either Pre-IB Biology (Geometry concurrent) or Honors Environmental Science.
- Continue with French or Spanish 2, Honors 3, or IB 4, or enroll in French I or Spanish I with the understanding that the student will ideally need to accelerate to level 3 in grade 10 by summer study or by a special sequence of courses necessitating outside study.
- Take courses that meet state requirements such as technology, fine arts and/or physical education.
For students in Grade 10:
- Enroll in Pre-IB English 10 and an appropriate government class (either Honors NSL or , if you have done well in AP or Honors US History, take AP NSL Government).
- Continue with mathematics in either Honors Geometry or Algebra 2 with analysis or next recommended level.
- If you took Biology in 9th grade, take Pre-IB Chemistry. Take Pre-IB Biology (if not taken in 9th grade), and if schedule permits, take Pre-IB Chemistry as well in 10th grade.
- Continue with Honors/IB French or Spanish. Remember that for the IB Diploma, the student ideally should complete level 5 in grade 11 or 12.
- Complete the state requirements in technology, fine arts and physical education as well as health (Both technology and health may be taken online or in a summer session).
In addition, if a student is pursuing either Visual Arts or Theatre Arts as an IB sixth subject/ elective, then he/she should take the appropriate pre-requisites in grades 9 and 10. (Foundations of Art/Studio Art; Theatre 1, Theatre 2, Advanced Acting etc.)
To find out more about IB, it would be helpful to go to the website www.ibo.org. For information specific to schools in the US and for frequently asked questions, click on “The IB in your Region,” the center box under the picture bar. Once at that page, click on “IB Americas.” Once there, if you click “More” under “IB Program Recognition” you will get to a page where you can access quick regional charts detailing University IB Credit Recognition policies at Universities in particular regions of the United States, among other useful links. Additionally, in the section just below that, “Universities and Institutions that recognize the IB Diploma Program” you will be able to enter any university name in the United States to learn about their IB Credit Policy and/or get details regarding the status of IB and credits at that particular university.
For information about Watkins Mill's IB Program, contact Lisa Ingram, IB Coordinator at WMHS, at 301-840-3975 or e-mail at Lisa_A_Ingram.
Additional Information
---Specific University Credit Policy Links for Universities popular with WMHS students---