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IB Diploma Programme
Dallas ISD International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Overview
What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a challenging two-year pre-university curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19. It leads to a qualification (the IB diploma) that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. It is implemented in the last two years of secondary education (What is an IB Education, 2023, IBO.org).
Students in the IB Diploma Programme can potentially earn college credit. The amount of college credits a diploma recipient can earn is dependent upon many factors: university, program of study, IB course subject score, IB course enrollment, etc. Students accepted to a university will work directly with the university’s admissions office to determine which IB courses are eligible for credit. Many university websites provide information on which IB courses and scores they accept.
Awarding of the IB Diploma
The Score:
- DP category candidates must study six subjects, plus the three core subjects—Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). They must accumulate no fewer than 24* points from assessment in these subjects, in addition to grade stipulations.
- The candidate has gained 12 points or more on Higher Level (HL) subjects. (For candidates who register for four HL subjects, the three highest grades count.)
- The candidate has gained 9 points or more on Standard Level (SL) subjects. (Candidates who register for two SL subjects must gain at least 5 points at SL.)
- There are no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (SL or HL).
- There are no more than two grade 2s awarded (SL or HL).
- There is no grade 1 awarded in a subject/level.
Additional Requirements:
- CAS requirements have been met.
- There is no “N” awarded for TOK, the EE or for a contributing subject.
- There is no grade E awarded for TOK and/or the EE.
- The candidate has not received a penalty for academic misconduct from the Final Award Committee.
*If a student meets all of the requirements but fails to score a minimum of 24 points, they will not receive the IB Diploma (IBDP Assessments and Procedures, 2023, IBO).
International Baccalaureate (IB) vs. Advanced Placement (AP)
The Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programmes are both considered the highest level of courses a student can take in high school in the United States. Both programs offer opportunities for students to receive post-secondary credits once enrolled at a college or university.
Advantages of IB
A significant difference with the IB curriculum is that it is taught in its entirety, rather than in isolation. An AP course is a single entity. An IB curriculum is interdisciplinary and connects learning across that curriculum. The IB programme is a liberal arts approach to education. There is both depth and breadth in this concept, which allows students to gain an understanding across various disciplines that an AP program does not offer.
IB aspires to help schools develop well-rounded students with strong character and a global mindset. IB students often indicate that they have gained excellent time-management skills and other critical attitudes needed for academic and personal success.
Characteristics of a “best-fit” Dallas IBDP Student
A DP student is an independent and hardworking student who is passionate about earning the IB Diploma. An IBDP student is willing to develop skills within this globally focused and liberal arts aligned academic programme that enables them to articulate ideas and opinions, balance academic work with co-curricular activities, research and manage their own work, and help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. They are willing to take on more work than is expected inside a traditional classroom.
Student Workload for the IB Diploma Programme
- 9th Grade and 10th Grade
- Students are enrolled in AP, Honors and/or International Scholars (IS) classes to help prepare them for the rigor of the Diploma Programme
- 11th Grade and 12th Grade
- Extended Essay (EE): A diploma candidate must complete and submit an EE, which is a substantial piece of independent research of up to 4,000 words. Work on the EE is expected to occupy approximately 40 hours across the two years of the programme.
- Theory of Knowledge: Students submit an exhibition and an essay.
- Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS): Participate in and lead activities over an 18-month period of time.
- Three IB courses at a Higher Level
- Three IB courses at a Standard Level
- The Core:
- Due to a combination of the course requirements outlined by the IBO and the state of Texas, students may not have the flexibility to participate in a combination of athletics and fine arts through formal classes in their schedule for all four years. For example, due to scheduling constraints, a student athlete may be unable to be double blocked in athletics all four years of high school. This will be dependent on several factors: scheduling, choices, IB courses, etc. and is on a case by case basis. It is crucial for the IB student and guardian to discuss the student’s goals with the campus IB Coordinator and counselor/s so that a plan is designed to best meet the student's goals and IB pathway.
Additional Information
Students interested in the IB Diploma Programme:
- Students will complete a writing sample during one of the following sessions:
- Option 1: Tuesday, January 14, 2025, arrive at 5:30 (Locations: Adamson, Hillcrest & Woodrow)
- Option 2: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, arrive at 5:30 pm (Locations: Adamson, Hillcrest & Woodrow)
Hillcrest High School: 9924 Hillcrest Rd, Dallas, TX 75230
Woodrow Wilson High School: 100 S Glasgow Dr, Dallas, TX 75214
Please click here to register for a writing session - Lottery Results will be sent to parents/guardians via SchoolMint by March 1, 2025. Choose Dallas ISD: FAQ
- After accepting your student’s offer, campuses will reach out with next steps. This is a requirement of the programme to cover two items:
- Complete a student and parent acknowledgement, agreeing to what the IB Diploma Programme requires and your mutual commitment to the programme. Create the student’s individualized four-year plan.
- Review and make recommendations for any needed support from the writing sample
IBO Website
2025-2026 Woodrow IB DP Admission Application process calendar
Details and dates are posted on its corresponding link below.
Questions?
Woodrow IB Diploma Programme
Dr. Navarro
IB DP Coordinator
Office Tel: (972) 502-4598
Email: LNAVARROAYALa@dallasisd.org