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International Baccalaureate Survival Guide

The Basics:

The Diploma Programme: The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a challenging two-year curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19. It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. 

 

The curriculum is made up of the Diploma Programme core and six subject groups. Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

 

 

The three core elements are:

  1. Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.

  2. The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

  3. Creativity, activity, service, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.

The six subject groups are:

  1. Studies in language and literature

  2. Language acquisition

  3. Individuals and societies

  4. Sciences

  5. Mathematics

  6. The arts

Abbreviations to Know

HL : Higher Level

SL : Standard Level

TOK : Theory of Knowledge

EE: Extended Essay

IA: Internal Assessment

EA: External Assessment

Useful Resources
Diploma Requirements

Florida High School Diploma: To earn this diploma a student must complete all of the requirements of the IB program.

  • Complete all the requirements of CAS

  • Successfully complete their Extended Essay (EE)

  • Successfully complete all the Internal & External Assessments for each subject

  • Successfully complete their Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay.

  • Receive a passing score on their freshman End of Course exams.

  • Receive a passing score on the geometry End of Course exam

  • Have higher than a 2.0 GPA.

*Students that earn this diploma receive it the day of high school graduation.

 

IB Diploma: To earn this diploma a student must meet the following standards

  • Earn 24 or more points from their IB course exams.

    • Each course is scored from 1-7.

    • The courses include Language A, Language B, History, Science, Mathematics, and the IB Elective.

    • Each course has a combination of internal, external, oral and or project based assessments which count towards the course score. The method of examination is not the same for each course.

    • A maximum of 3 points is possible for high marks on the EE and TOK papers.

  • Successfully complete the CAS requirements

  • Successfully complete the Extended Essay (D or higher)

  • Successfully complete Theory of Knowledge (D or higher)

  • Earn 12 or more points in their Higher Level (HL) courses

  • Earn 9 or more points in their Standard Level (SL) courses

  • Not earn a 1 in any subject

  • Not earn a 2 in three or more subjects

  • Not earn a 3 in four or more subjects

*The results of the IB exams and all other requirements are not released to the member schools by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) until the first week of July. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do you earn college credit through IB coursework?

    • IB students earn college credit through their IB exams that are taken at the end of their 12th grade year. A "4" is passing, however, depending the University, they may require a higher score to grant college credit at their institution​.

    • It is very important to check with the University of interest on what their IB exam credit policies are as every institution will have a different policy on this matter.

    • IB Credit Chart example: Georgia Tech

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  • If my child is attending an IB program in Middle School (MYP Program) are they automatically accepted/matriculated into Largo HS​?

    • No, the MYP program in Middle School and the IB ​Diploma program we have here at Largo HS are separate programs so EVERY child, regardless of where they attend middle school, will need to fill out a magnet application through the Student Reservation System. https://reservation.pcsb.org/

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