International Baccalaureate

List of 5 items.

• What is the difference between the IB Diploma Programme and an IB Diploma course?

  The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and life beyond. The programme is taught over two years (11th and 12th grades), and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. In addition, the programme has three core requirements (Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), Extended Essay (EE), and Theory of Knowledge (TOK)) that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding.
  
  IB Diploma Course enrollment is open to juniors and seniors. A student may earn an IB certificate in one or more of the six subject groups by taking the same course as a Diploma Programme student and successfully passing the corresponding exam. The last three requirements (CAS, Extended Essay and TOK) are only part of the full Diploma Programme and are not required when individual IB Diploma course(s) are taken. 

• What is unique about the IB Diploma Programme?

  The IB Diploma Programme is one of the most comprehensive, rigorous, and assessed high school diplomas available in the world today. The Theory of Knowledge course; the Extended Essay; the CAS requirement of approximately 150 hours of creativity, activity, and community service during 11th and 12th grades; the two-year commitment to six areas of study, plus the assessments scored using international standards, make the IB program unique.

• Why International Baccalaureate?

  IB courses provide New Hampton School students with the opportunity to complete college level work that is measured against an international standard. Studies show that students taking one or more IB classes and assessments are twice as likely to graduate from college on time when compared with students who did not take college-level classes. IB Diploma students are challenged in a comprehensive program of study that requires both skill attainment and content mastery in six areas of study. Given the interdisciplinary approach IB demands, student are required to pursue academic areas outside of their perceived areas of academic strength. Beyond the requisite content area diversity, the IB also challenges students to exhibit their learning through research, writing, oral commentary, and self-directed study. The IB Diploma Programme student gains valuable time management and organizational skills necessary to manage this diverse and extensive program of study. 

• How are IB courses assessed?

  New Hampton School teachers grade IB students work using course competencies and the letter grade scale, as all of our courses are graded, and this is what is recorded on a student's transcript. These students are also graded externally by the IB following final assessments. Students are graded on a scale of 1-7 with a score of 7 being the highest level achievable.

• Do all IB students receive an IB diploma?

  IB students in the Diploma program must take both internally and externally moderated exams for 6-IB courses, as well as complete all the core requirements. IB exams are assessed after the exams are finished in May of their senior year. In order to receive the IB diploma, students must receive a cumulative score of 24 or higher. In addition, 12 of those points must be in HL (honors level) courses.