Pleasant Valley High School

International Baccalaureate

About IB at PVHS

Pleasant Valley High School is proud to be able to offer the world renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) Program to our students. The International Baccalaureate is acknowledged around the world for providing challenging programs and rigorous assessment through high quality curriculum for over forty years.

IB is an integrated program of study which emphasizes concurrency of learning, internationalism, academic integrity, breadth and depth of study, and education of the whole person. Originally designed in 1967 as a course of study for international schools, the excellence of the IB has been proven and accepted by more than 113 countries.

It is important to stay in contact with Mrs. Callas regarding your plans for an IB Diploma/Certificate to make sure that all requirements are being met in order to graduate with either an IB Diploma or IB Partial Program.

Entering the IB Program:

Full Diploma candidates will enroll with the IB coordinator during the end of the sophomore year. IB Certificate candidates will enroll with the IB coordinator during the same time. ALL students are allowed to enroll in the IB Program as long as they meet the prerequisites. With few exceptions, all IB coursework must be completed during the junior and senior years.

2 Programs within the IB Program

IB Diploma Program
IB Partial Program

The IB Diploma is awarded by The International Baccalaureate Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. The IB Diploma students must successfully complete:

3-4 Higher Level courses (in-depth two year courses)
2-3 Standard Level courses (less demanding one year courses)
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course
The Extended Essay
Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) of at least 150 hours over two years. *

Students may receive up to one year of college credit and advanced standing based on their Diploma score.

IB Partial Program students receive a certificate which is awarded by The International Baccalaureate Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Students must successfully complete the internal and external assessments of up to seven courses in any of the six subject groups in standard or higher level.

Students may choose to apply for college credit or advanced standing based on their examination scores.

Requirements for an IB Diploma

The IB Diploma Program requires the successful completion of four basic components:

1. Comprehensive Curriculum

IB Diploma students complete most state high school requirements during grades 9 & 10. Juniors and Seniors study six subjects each of which require a comprehensive exam administered in May. There are currently three pathways to the IB Diploma.

2. Theory of Knowledge Class (TOK)

TOK is a required course for IB diploma candidates. The goal of this course is to develop an awareness of how knowledge is constructed, critically examined, evaluated and renewed by communities and individuals. It is to encourage an interest in the diversity of ways of knowing and thinking and an awareness of personal and ideological assumptions.
Non-IB Diploma candidates may enroll if room allows, but will be expected to complete all parts of the TOK curriculum. Questions regarding the TOK course should be directed to Ms. Burton.

3. Creative Activity Service (CAS) Information

Each Full IB candidate is required to complete at least 150 hours in Creativity, Action, and Service within the Junior and Senior years of high school. Questions regarding the CAS component, should be directed to Mrs. Besnard

4. Extended Essay

An extended essay of 4,000 words on an IB subject that has resulted from independent study, research, and analysis is required for the IB Diploma.

IB Mission Statement

IB Mission Statement:

Through comprehensive and balanced curricula coupled with challenging assessments, the International Baccalaureate Organization aims to assist schools in their endeavors to develop the individual talents of young people and teach them to relate the experience of the classroom to the realities of the world outside.

Beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship, to the end that IB students may become critical and compassionate thinkers, lifelong learners and informed participants in local and world affairs, conscious of the shared humanity that binds all people together while respecting the variety of cultures and attitudes that makes for the richness of life.

For more information on The International Baccalaureate Organization, click on: http://www.ibo.org

Quotes From Educators

"Send us prepared students á la IB…It is the "best" high school prep curriculum an American school can offer."
Marilee Jones
Director of Undergraduate Admission
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Programme on the transcript."
Marilyn McGrath Lewis
Director of Undergraduate Admission
Harvard University

"One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated programme, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific."
Christoph Guttentag
Director of Undergraduate Admission
Duke University