Academics

High School - IB Diploma Program

Now enrolling for 9th and 10th grade

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  • High School

    Magellan is now offering a flexible program where no Spanish or IB experience is required. New students will have the option of bi-lingual learning (50% of the day in Spanish) or to take all courses in English, in addition to an entry-level language class of their choice.

High School and the IB

The International Baccalaureate framework is set up a bit differently than traditional schools. The Middle Years Program encompasses grades 6-10, while grades 11-12 are considered the Diploma Program (DP). Magellan is currently in the process of becoming certified in the DP.

The IB Diploma Program (DP)

The IB Diploma Program is an academically challenging and balanced program that prepares students extremely well for success at the college level and beyond. It is respected by universities across the globe. IB Diploma students are characterized as highly motivated, confident, independent learners who are typically better able to cope with demanding workloads, manage their time, and meet the expectations placed on them than their peers.

Magellan is a Candidate School* for the Diploma Program. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Magellan believes is important for our students.
 
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.

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  • What are the benefits of the IB Diploma Program?

    Research shows that DP IB Diploma students:
    • Are three times more likely to enroll at a top 20 higher education institution.
    • Are offered increased scholarship opportunities.
    • Present significantly higher levels of critical thinking.
    • Exhibit higher levels of global mindedness than peers their age.
    • Exhibit higher levels of interpersonal skills and perseverance.
    • Exhibit higher capacities for a variety of 21st-century skills compared to non-DP counterparts.

What are Others Saying About the IB Program

Duke University Admissions

One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific.

The Curriculum

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  • Made up of Six Subject Groups and the DP Core

The DP curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay. Through the DP core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and undertake a project that often involves community service. The IB has a highly reliable system of assessment that involves external grading of student work.
There are different courses within each subject group. Students are required to take some subjects at a Higher Level and some at Standard Level.

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  • Language Acquisition

  • Individuals and Societies

  • Mathematics

  • The Sciences

  • Studies in Language & Literature

  • The Arts

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  • The Diploma Program (DP) Core

    Through the Diploma Programme core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research, and undertake a project that often involves community service.

    Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
    TOK provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know. Mastery is assessed through an oral presentation and a 1,600 word essay.

    Extended Essay
    The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper. It provides practical preparation for undergraduate research and an opportunity for students to investigate a topic of personal interest to them. This essay illustrates the students ability to explore, reflect on their knowledge and go further through inquiry to investigate a real world issue and develop an argument that provides answers to defend their position.

    Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
    The CAS program involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies including Arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking, Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, and Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. CAS is not formally assessed, but is an essential counterbalance to the academic rigor program.
  • Assessment and Exams

    Unlike other programs, a high percentage of student work is assessed and/or moderated by IB-appointed, external examiners who have no connection to the school. This is another reason why the IB has such a strong reputation. Most subjects, it should be noted, do include an internally assessed component that accounts for 30% – 40% of a student’s final mark.  All results are determined by performance against set standards that students are trained to meet over the course of two years. More details

    General Skills
    • Analyzing and presenting information
    • Evaluating and constructing arguments
    • Solving problems creatively
    • Retaining knowledge
    • Understanding key concepts
    • Applying standard methods
    Internal Assessment
    • Oral work in languages
    • Fieldwork in geography
    • Laboratory work in the sciences
    • Investigations in mathematics
    • Artistic performances
    External Assessment
    • Essays
    • Structured problems
    • Short-response questions
    • Data-response questions
    • Text-response questions
    • Case-study questions

Harvard University Admissions

Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript. GPA is not nearly as important a factor in university admission as the IB Diploma.

Quick Facts

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