International Baccalaureate:

a commitment to academic excellence

What is the International Baccalaureate Programme? The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university program leading to assessment in six major subject areas. Established in 1968, the IB offers challenging curriculum noted for its depth and its international perspective. It draws upon the very best practices from national systems from around the world. The two-year IB Diploma provides a coherent and demanding educational experience across the full curriculum. Beyond the exposure to college level course work and examinations, IB students also engage in community service, individual research, and an inquiry into the nature of knowledge.

The curriculum is displayed in the shape of a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the core. IB Diploma students take one subject from each of the six subject areas illustrated on the hexagon. This course selection results in a balance of the arts and the sciences.

Characteristics of the IB Learner Available as either a full or partial IB programme, IB courses are ideal for student who: loves to learn and to “go deeper” into critical

questions, ideas, methods and issues is open-minded and willing to try new things has a keen interest in a subject and a strong work

ethic likes to think beyond the textbook or the classroom likes to make connections between learning and

who appreciates learning in a global context

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What does the IB offer? International Baccalaureate (IB) is a direct path to post-secondary studies, and is the best possible preparation that one can receive to develop the skills necessary to achieve success there. IB is an academic programme that gives students more opportunities to develop critical thinking skills than any other honors programme. IB students say that they value the dynamic classroom environment, high quality instruction, dedicated teachers and the opportunity to develop self-confidence and time management skills in a challenging and international-minded curriculum. IB Diploma Requirements Students can choose to select one or a few IB courses, or they may choose to complete a full IB diploma programme which includes:

1. Three higher level (HL) and three standard level (SL) courses 2. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, delivered over two years 3. A self - directed research paper (Extended Essay) no longer than 4,000 words 4. Reflection upon Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) in Grades 11 and 12.

The classic IB Full Diploma includes English, History, an International Language, Mathematics, a Science, and a Fine Arts Course (students can also choose to take a second Science or a second International Language instead of a Fine Arts course). Each IB course is marked on a 7 point scale (full diploma students take 6 of these classes to earn up to 42 points). There are also 3 “bonus points” available for the three elements in the centre of the hexagon model (Extended Essay, CAS, and the Theory of Knowledge course), which produce an overall IB mark out of 45 points. To earn an IB Diploma, students must score at least 24 points out of a possible 45 so a student need not be an “expert” in all subjects. Sample Full IB Diploma Timetable Grade 10 (pre-IB) Grade 11 (IB Year 1) Grade 12 (IB Year 2) English 10-1 pIB English 20-1 IB English 30-1 IB Int. Language 10 pIB World Literature 21 IB (3credit) Int. Language 30 IB Social St. 10-1 pIB Int. Language 20 IB Social St. 30-1 (History) IB Science 10 pIB Social St. 20-1(History) IB World History 30 IB (3 credit) Mathematics 10C pIB Biology 20 IB** Biology 30 IB or Physics30IB Mathematics 20-1 pIB Biology 35 IB (3 credit) Chem 30 IB or a Fine Art PE10/CALM 20 (3) Chem 20 IB or a Fine Art Mathematics 31 IB*** Fine Art 10IB* Mathematics 30-1 IB Theory of Knowledge (3) Theory of Knowledge (3) Option (5) Notes: * Students planning to take more than one IB Science at the grade 11 and 12 level have the option to take a grade 10 option other than an IB Fine Art. ** Students who choose to pursue two IB sciences can also take a third science in the regular programme within their grade 11 and 12 timetable OR in summer school. *** Students in IB Math write the Mathematics 30 Alberta Diploma exam in grade 11. Instead of going into Mathematics 31 in grade 12, students may choose to take the Math Studies IB course, in which they review much of Mathematics 30-1, providing the best opportunity to achieve success when writing their Diploma exam again.

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Evaluation Students are awarded regular Alberta Education report card/final marks for their achievement in IB courses throughout the programme. IB grades are separate and are given at the end of the programme. The IB grades include a combination of internal assessments (e.g. laboratory investigations, research papers, oral language exams) from throughout the two-year programme, as well as externally assessed IB final examinations. This gives a better reflection of a student’s overall abilities than an exam only approach to assessment. In Grade 12, students write their IB exams in May followed by the Alberta Diploma exams in June. Most Universities (including UofA) accept the higher of their two final marks (Alberta or IB) to meet admission requirements. Many Universities offer at least conditional admission on the basis of teacher generated IB predicted grades; the UofA offers “outright admission based on predicted grades” for Diploma candidates—even before the Alberta diploma exams are written!

University Recognition Most Universities in Canada and the United States actively recruit IB graduates. Harvard, MIT, Yale, Stanford, and U of T, to name a few, recognize the IB credentials for advanced placement or transfer credit. Each of the 3,500 universities and colleges in North America has its own admission policy, so recognition of IB courses should not be taken for granted. Contact your University of choice for specific information; visit the IBO public website at http://www.ibo.org (click on “where we work” then “country information” then “find IB in Canada” then “diploma recognition” policies); or visit http://www.ibo.org/ibna/recognition/slideh.cfm for a comparative grid of Canadian University Policies. Last fall Lillian Osborne graduates used their IB marks to enter Universities all over North America and Europe! Great News for IB Students from the University of Alberta:

• IB students receive Advanced Standing (credit or placement) in approved courses for an IB grade of 6 or 7.

• Students who earn the IB Diploma are granted early and unconditional admission based on IB predicted grades.

• IB Diploma students also receive very strong consideration for admission into limited enrolment faculties and for U of A scholarship competitions.

• IB Diploma students will be granted advance credit for the Theory of Knowledge Course with three units of course weight in an open elective at the 100 level.

For information about IB recognition at the UofA visit www.registrar.ualberta.ca/IB

Thinking of going to university in another city? Admissions, scholarships, and advance standing for IB students varies between universities. The best advice is to explore university websites for specific details about IB recognition.

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We Are Proud of the IB Programme at LOHS Participation is important to us: Over two thirds of the students at LOHS take at least one IB or Pre-IB course! Two Diplomas! In our first graduating class at LOHS, 37 students completed the requirements for both the Alberta High School Diploma and the IB Diploma! Our students are committed to making a better world! This year over 130 LOHS grade 11 IB science students participated in an interdisciplinary science project focused on the United Nations Millennium Goals. Amazing teachers at the heart of IB! Almost every teacher at LOHS is involved in our IB programme in some way: they teach IB courses, supervise Extended Essay students and advise students in the CAS programme! IB Scholarships: This fall Lillian Osborne IB Diploma graduates received 6 of the 50 scholarships awarded to IB applicants and the University of Alberta! Features of IB at LOHS

Features of IB at LOHS

• Choice: Students can do a full or partial IB programme and can choose between 4 IB languages, 3 IB sciences, 2 IB maths, 4 IB arts and 7 higher level subjects!

A Core Part of our School: We have built our IB programme as we built all of our school culture and programming; right from the start. Our commitment to the programme can be seen in all that we do! We are proud to have: -A dedicated CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) Coordinator and advisor team to help students develop and carry out their two year CAS plan. -An Extended Essay Coordinator and supervisor team to help students determine a topic for their EE, conduct research at the U of A library, and to develop clear time lines to help students stay on track through every step of the EE process. -A comprehensive two-year plan designed by our teachers to balance the workload for IB students so that it is more manageable. -Our TOK course is offered as a seminar/blog course in grade 11. Since it is outside of the timetable, students have space in their timetable to fit options or an extra science course! -A Diploma Programme Coordinator who is available to offer advice and support throughout the three years of high school for Pre IB and IB students. Help is available for everything starting with programme registration and continuing on through university application.

• Our Doors Are Open: We welcome all students who are passionate about learning and committed to developing good work habits and organizational skills. We believe that IB is for students who want to be here, not only those with exceptionally high marks!

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What Do Our Students Say About IB? “What I took from IB is a taste of what it meant to work hard. It was not so much the extra material that I learned from IB that was the most important; it is the experience of being with so many students with so much initiative that sparked my own growth in maturity and work ethic.” Ralph Hsiao

IB pushes me to go beyond my limit and look at things beyond just the surface. Although it can be hectic, it gives me a better taste of what university will feel like and I’m still able to balance my time with other activities such as dance and basketball. Radhika Kalra

IB has shaped the person I am today. It has made me more mature, more intelligent and a more proactive student. The learning environment, with incredibly intelligent peers and the best teachers I’ve ever had, has allowed me to achieve and grow more than ever before. Although I’ve hated some of the stress IB has caused, I am forever thankful to the person IB has shaped me into. IB is a catalyst for intellectual growth unlike any other. Shubham Manchanda

The IB program has greatly prepared me for university. I know I’ll be able to handle the workload once I’m there. I appreciate the challenges that IB has encouraged me to embrace. Rachel Thundat

The International Baccalaureate Programme provides the perfect environment for students to grow as scholars, world citizens and insightful, ambitions adults. The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course was the best experience in the 3 years of high school for me. It opened my mind up to a whole new side of the world I have never known, and I genuinely feel the impact of the course in everyday life; something that is rare. Jeff Shin

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Common IB Questions I’ve heard that you need really high marks to get into IB. How high do they need to be? At LOHS there is no mark requirement for entrance into the IB programme! Students must be excited about learning and willing work hard to develop new skills. What if I only want to take 1 or 2 IB classes? Do I have to take the full IB Programme? Absolutely not! While we certainly encourage our grade 10 pre-IB students to give the full programme a try, we fully understand that some students want only one or two IB courses. I’m afraid that my marks will drop if I go into the IB programme. Will they? No. All students receive marks that are assessed according to the regular Alberta Curriculum Standards. Students are not marked harder because of being in IB. Who can I get help from when I need it? We have built our IB programme from the ground up with one thing in mind: supporting our students! You can get help from almost anyone in the school: teachers, your IB coordinator (Ms. Molnar), counsellors and grade coordinators, plus a group of incredibly supportive peers! Will I have room for options in my timetable? Absolutely! IB is all about developing a well-rounded student, and options are an important part of that. Depending on the number of IB courses they take, some students have more options than others, but even full IB Diploma Candidates have room for options. What about extra-curricular activities, volunteer opportunities, a part time job and my social life? Will I have time to do the other things that I love to do? Our IB students are usually our most active and involved students! They have many activities outside of the classroom that they are involved with--that's one of the reasons that we really emphasize the importance of time management skills. What is absolute best reason for going into the IB Programme? Well, there are so many good reasons, but most of our students say that they love IB because it has provided them with a supportive atmosphere where they are surrounded by enthusiastic peers and caring teachers. In this environment they have come to better understand themselves as learners and as global citizens. They have gained the confidence to move forward and continue being knowledgeable lifelong learners who understand and care about themselves and the world! How will IB prepare me for University? -You will study university level material and have exposure to university level labs, essays and lectures while still in high school -You will have the opportunity to earn University credits while still in high school -you will be eligible for IB specific scholarships on top of other scholarships open to everyone -you apply to university with 2 sets of marks (IB and Alberta), and can use the higher of the two -IB Diploma candidates applying to the U of A are the only students eligible for early final admission based on teacher predicted grades!!

I still have questions. Where can I get more information? For general IB information visit: ibo.org For specific information about the IB programme at Lillian Osborne High School please contact our IB Diploma Coordinator, Ms. Nadine Molnar, by phoning the school or at: nadine.molnar@epsb.ca

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The IB Learner Profile: Success in School...and in Life At Lillian Osborne we like the IB learner profile so much that we make it our mission to build and empower the IB learner attributes listed below in all LOHS students. It just makes sense in a 21st century school!

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Lillian Osborne Mission Statement Lillian Osborne High School, in the 21st Century, will be a vibrant, innovative, and active community of learners committed to

nurturing personal excellence in every facet of our educational program. The relationships our students, staff, and community

create as a team will guide us in our journey toward engaged life long learning and active global citizenship. Our students will flourish in an environment that promotes social responsibility and shared guardianship of the planet.

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IB Mission Statement The International Baccalaureate aims to develop

inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.