High School Regional Programs ⟶ Program Themes ⟶ International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The vision of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is to foster a learning community committed to delivering a high-quality, challenging, and internationally minded education that empowers students to become thoughtful, knowledgeable, and compassionate global citizens. Inquiry-based instruction and interdisciplinary learning help to create intellectual curiosity and build strong foundations in both skills and concepts, preparing students for success in higher education and beyond. Through the IB experience, students gain the tools to thrive in a complex world, earn prestigious academic recognition, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Core Experiences

Earn the internationally recognized IB Diploma
Participate in annual interdisciplinary projects
Present a research essay
Earn college credit
Earn the Seal of Biliteracy state recognition
Participate in competitions
Participate in extracurricular student organizations
Participate in field trip experiences

Program Goals

Develop Foundational Knowledge and Skills
Equip students with foundational critical thinking, communication, and interpretive skills alongside a deep, interdisciplinary knowledge base in history, culture, philosophy, mathematics, sciences, the arts, and communicative competence in world languages.
Provide Hands-On, Real-World Experience
Equip students to be challenged and apply their knowledge through inquiry-based curriculum centered on independent research, collaborative projects, community service, and critical reflection.
Foster Career and College, Career and/or Community Pathways
Equip students by developing a global perspective, critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world, in-demand skills necessary to secure admission to colleges and universities, compete successfully for entry-level careers, and immediately take on meaningful leadership roles in their communities, often with the added advantage of global language fluency.

Application & Locations

Selection Process: Criteria-based application

Schools:

Region 1: Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Region 2: Springbrook
Region 3: Kennedy
Region 4: Richard Montgomery
Region 5: Watkins Mill
Region 6: Seneca Valley

Course Progression

Below is a sample sequence of courses for students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Cells in green are related to the program pathway. This is subject to change as the programs are developed.

Grades 6–8	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11
Career Advising, and claiming of RIASEC themes. Career Exploration Students participate in MCPS courses or in their local MYP courses at their middle school. By end of 8th grade, students should have taken a World Language level 1 course.
	Regional IB English 9	Regional IB English 10	Theory of Knowledge & Extended Essay Student choice of 3 - 4 HL courses (2 years) Student choice of 2 - 3 SL courses (1 - 2 years) Students are required to enroll in at least one course from Group 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as well as the TOK. Students can choose their 6th class from Groups 2, 3, 4, or 5.
	Integrated Algebra 1 or higher	Integrated Algebra 2 or higher
	Regional IB Biology, Physics or Chemistry	Regional IB Biology, Physics or Chemistry
	AP US Government (NSL)	AP US History
	Chinese, French, Spanish Level 2, 3, or 4	Chinese, French, Spanish Level 3, 4, or 5
	Elective (PE, Fine Arts, Technology)	Elective (PE, Fine Arts, Technology, Health)
	Elective (PE, Fine Arts, Technology)	Elective (PE, Fine Arts, Technology, Health)

Program Requirements

In addition to the MCPS requirements for graduation, all students must complete the IB Diploma Programme requirements to earn the IB Diploma.