What does the International Baccalaureate Programme offer?

What makes the M.E. LaZerte IB Programme special?

In addition:

IB is an enriched academic programme that gives students more opportunities to develop critical thinking skills than any other honors program, and is therefore the best possible preparation that one can receive to develop the skills necessary to achieve success at University.

M.E. LaZerte has been graduating IB students since 2000, and approximately 25% of our school population is enrolled in our Pre–IB Diploma or IB Diploma Programme. This substantial population provides the opportunity for a wider selection of IB courses and more flexible timetabling for our students.

At M.E. LaZerte we believe that most IB students are capable of pursuing a full IB Diploma Programme, and encourage them to do so in Grade 11. Although IB Diploma students are most highly pursued by universities, IB Certificate students can still gain advanced placement and transfer credit at most universities in individual disciplines. Our students can make an informed choice about what is the correct path for them to follow and can choose a full IB Diploma or partial IB Certificate Programme.

M.E. LaZerte IB students say that they value the dynamic classroom environment, individual instruction, challenging curriculum, dedicated teachers and the opportunity to develop self-confidence.

We actively monitor student progress to ensure that students experience success and get help when they need it.

We annually organize IB field trips that help students gain a greater appreciation for the languages, culture, arts, architecture, history and perspectives of the international communities that we visit.IB opens unlimited

doors to your future... as it is packed with

learning opportunities and classmates who are thirsty for knowledge.

- Zhao Li

“

”

1

Excellent Classmates, Expert Teachers, Smaller Classes

University Acceptance

University Credit

Scholarship Opportunities

University SuccessAn Enriched Programme

• Grade 11 and 12 IB classes are typically smaller than non-IB classes.

• You will build class friendships with other IB students who are academically minded just like you.

• IB teachers receive special IB training internationally and locally.

• IB students may apply with either their IB marks or their Alberta Diploma marks, whichever are higher. The U of A gives IB Diploma students guaranteed acceptance based on their predicted IB marks in the spring of Grade 12.

• IB students score consistently higher on the SAT exam, a standardized college entrance exam in the United States, than non-IB students.

• Universities offer credit for IB courses completed at the high school level at a specified mark. This can shorten the time and money spent at university.

• Many scholarships are based on a combination of marks and community service. Because IB promotes academic success and citizenship, IB students have greater opportunities for scholarships.

• Some universities, like the U of A, have special awards and scholarships just for IB Diploma students.

• A recent study tracked a group of IB, AP (Advanced Placement) and regular students through their first year of university. Coming out of Grade 12, they all had very similar averages. At the end of the first year of university, the IB students, as a group, had a higher grade point average than the non-IB students.

• IB students design their own labs and conduct more labs in IB science classes, including labs done outside the school. IB students go on numerous fieldtrips, use U of A facilities and learn research skills at U of A libraries.

2

IB Certificate Students (Partial IB)

IB Diploma Students(Full IB)

In the Certificate Programme, students enroll in one or more IB courses based on their interests. They cover the Alberta curriculum and the IB curriculum which explores subjects with greater depth and breadth.

Students who enroll in IB learn more than a collection of facts. The IB Diploma Programme offers the best preparation for university and encourages students to:

• Develop their natural curiosity• Explore concepts, ideas, and issues

that have local and global significance to acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding across a broad range of disciplines

• Think critically when approaching complex problems and make reasoned, ethical decisions

• Develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures

The IB Diploma promotes well-roundedness by requiring 6 academic subject areas as well as the 3 core requirements of TOK, CAS and the Extended Essay.

English (HL)

History (HL)

Mandarin, French, or Spanish B or ab initio (SL)

Biology (HL) or Physics (HL or SL) Mathematics (SL)

or Math Methods (SL)

Theatre Arts (SL), Visual Arts (SL),Chemistry (SL), Physics (SL),or another IB language (SL)

3

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Creativity, Activity, Services (CAS)

The Extended EssayStudents explore two key questions: “What do I know?” & “How do I know it is true?” They become aware of biases and develop the ability to analyze evidence that is expressed in rational argument. Students are encouraged to appreciate other cultural perspectives on knowledge.

Encourages students to share their energy and special talents with others by participating in theatre or musical productions, sports and/or community service activities. Through these activities, IB students will develop greater awareness of themselves, concern for others and the ability to work cooperatively. Students work with a coordinator to assist them in their leadership development. An essential goal of IB is to educate the whole person and foster responsible, compassionate, global citizens.

Prepares IB students for the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities. Students have the unique opportunity to write on a topic of their choice, chosen from 27 subjects. The process begins in Grade 11 and is completed by February of the Grade 12 year. Each student will have a teacher advisor to assist and guide them.IB is an opportunity to

be in a fantastic learning environment with like-minded peers, in classes

enriched with more depth of content, and with teachers who are

passionate about learning and who are always glad

to help.- Stephanie Nguyen

“

”

Students wishing to take IB in Grades 11 and 12 must register into M.E. LaZerte’s Pre-IB Diploma Programme (PIB) in Grade 10. Students are recommended to have a 75% or higher average to register in full IB. If students have a mark below 75% in one Grade 9 subject, but have a strong overall average, they should still register in the full Pre-IB Diploma Programme.

A student’s marks will be based on the same Alberta curriculum covered in the regular Grade 10 classes. However, stu-dents will be exposed to several features of the Grade 11 and Grade 12 IB Diploma Programme including:

• Leadership training and preparation work for CAS

• Learning how to design their own labs in science

• Exposure to the academic research process

• A practice portfolio in mathematics

• Enrichment topics, in all subjects, modeled after IB curriculum

Sample Timetable

• English 10-1 PIB (FY)• Social Studies 10-1 PIB (FY)• Science 10 PIB (FY)• International Language 10 PIB (FY) • Mathematics 10C PIB (Sem 1)• Mathematics 20 PIB (Sem 2) • Physical Education 10 PIB* (Early AM,

Sem 1, Sem 2)• Option** (Sem 1 or Sem 2)• Leadership 10*** (3 or 5 credits)

(After School)• Calm* (Early AM, Sem 1, Sem 2)

Grade 10 – Pre-IB Diploma

All Courses are 5 credit unless indicated otherwise and most are full year courses.

* Calm and Phys Ed can be taken as an early morning period 0 class in grade 10 or in summer school prior to grade 10.** Art 10 PIB, Drama 10 PIB, or an additional International Language are suggested.*** Leadership is taken outside of regular class time and is highly recommended but not mandatory in grade 10. It is

mandatory in order to complete CAS hours in grade 11 and 12.

Pursuing a full pre-IB Diploma Programme (PIB) in Grade 10 will help you make an informed decision when it comes time to register for Grade 11.

IB allows me to challenge myself while

learning to develop new techniques to

think different ways thus allowing me to solve problems in a

variety of ways.- Ryan Donnan

“

”5

• English 20-1 IB & World Literature 35 IB (3 credits)

• International Language 20 IB• Social 20-1 IB• Biology 20 IB & Biology 35 IB (3 credits)

or Physics 20IB• Chemistry 20 IB & Chemistry 35 IB (3

credits) or a Fine Art 20 IB• Mathematics 30-1 IB or 30-2 IB• Option * • Theory of Knowledge 25 IB** (3 credits)• Leadership (CAS) 20** (3 or 5 credits)

• English 30-1 IB • International Language 30 IB• Social 30-1 IB & World History 35 IB (3

credits)• Biology 30 IB or Physics 30 IB & Physics

35 IB• Chemistry 30 IB or a Fine Art 30 IB• Mathematics 31 IB or 30-1 IB• Option * • Theory of Knowledge 35 IB** (3 credits)• Leadership (CAS) 30** (3 or 5 credits)

Grade 11 – IB Diploma Grade 12 – IB Diploma

All Courses are 5 credit unless indicated otherwise and most are full year courses.

* Option may be an IB Fine Art OR a 3rd IB Science like Physics or Biology OR a 2nd International language OR any other full year course OR a spare.

** Grade 11 IB Diploma students start CAS, TOK, the Extended Essay and complete internal assessments like orals, labs, papers and the Group IV Science Project as part of their grade 11 year.

All Courses are 5 credit unless indicated otherwise and most are full year courses. * Option may be an IB Fine Art OR a 3rd IB Science like

Physics or Biology OR a 2nd International language OR any other full year course OR a spare.

** Grade 12 IB Diploma students complete the Extended Essay, TOK, and CAS requirements by early February as well as internal assessments like orals, labs, papers for submission to IB by early March.

IB Examinations are held in May of the Grade 12 year.

6

IB is wonderful! You get to experience and

meet new people while being challenged to grow with the

knowledge that you are being supported by

teachers, other staff, and students.

- Vivien Cen

“

”

University RecognitionFirst Year U of C GPA’s of 3.50 or HigherMost 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.

• Dr. David Conley (2009) conducted research and has shown that IB Standards are highly aligned with the KSUS (College readiness standards) and that IB students enter college with the type of knowledge and skills not only expected by college faculty but also with skills known to promote academic success in entry-level courses.

IB NonIB

• For general IB information and testimonials visit www.ibo.org

• For University recognition policies contact your university of choice directly or visit the IBO public website at http://www.ibo.org (click on “University Admission” then “Who Recognizes the IB?”)

• For more information about 50 years of IB Education visit https://www.ibo.org/50years#1968

• For more information about IB recognition at the U of A please visit https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions/undergraduate/resources/ib-students

• For more information about IB recognition at the U of C please visit http://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/current/a-12-1.html

• For more information about IB recognition at UBC please visit http://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/international-baccalaureate/

7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Common MythsMYTH: Because IB is harder, I can get higher marks and increase my chances of getting into university by just taking regular classes.

FACT: IB class averages tend to be 7% to 12% higher than non-IB classes. Your course mark in Alberta courses is based on the Alberta curriculum only and does not include the IB specific curriculum. Additional IB courses provide students the opportunity to develop a more indepth understanding of the concepts taught. Students find preparing for and writing IB exams in May of their Grade 12 year to be excellent review and preparation for their Alberta diploma exams in June. On standardized college entrance exams like the SAT, Canadian IB Diploma students score close to 200 points higher than non-IB students. As a result, IB students have a higher acceptance rate into university than non-IB students.

MYTH: I won’t have enough time for my friends because I will be too busy trying to maintain my studies and fulfilling the IB requirements for CAS and the Extended Essay.

FACT: IB fosters the development of a learning community where students are encouraged to be active in the school locally and on a global scale. These activities often result in lasting friendships and peer support. Some of our most involved students and school leaders are IB students.

MYTH: I need to have really high marks in all of my classes to be a full IB Diploma student.

FACT: IB isn’t all about grades. We understand that students will excel in some areas more than others, but that doesn’t mean that full IB is not for you. The IB Programme encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate, lifelong learners. IB is about developing a well-rounded person – grades don’t define the individual.

8

IB is a blank sheet of paper, an open

book on which you have the opportunity

to write your own narrative of infinite

possibilities and become who you

want to be.- William Bandas

“

”

RISK-TAKERS

BALANCED

THINKERS

COMMUNICATORSKNOWLEDGEABLE

INQUIRERS

REFLEC

TIVE

CARING

OPEN-MINDED

PRINCIPLED

9

My experience as an IB student has helped me in many ways and

has exposed me to a different learning environment that I know will open up new and exciting

pathways for me in the future.

- Laksha Seeburuth

“

”