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International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) Overview

Image of front of Del Mar High School with IB World School Sign

Welcome to the IB Programme at Del Mar High School!

What is IB?
 
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is an internationally recognized honors program for 11th and 12th graders.  The IB program focuses on rigorous content knowledge and student development of college-level learning and study habits. Students get to experience an in-depth learning environment with the hands-on support of their high school teachers and the IB Programme Coordinator. An IB education is student-centered and acknowledges the importance of connecting ideas and subjects while also linking student learning to local and global contexts.
 

IB Courses
 
IB courses are offered in English, World Language, Social Science, Science, Math, and The Arts. A full list of current IB course offerings can be found on the IB courses webpage. IB Courses are designated as Standard Level (SL) one-year courses or Higher Level (HL) two-year courses. While all IB Courses are meant to be rigorous preparation for university-level work, HL courses go more in-depth and are generally considered to be more challenging.
 

IB Pathways
 
  • Course Candidate students take individual IB courses for a rich, in-depth level of study in one or two IB subjects. Students will learn and practice the skills and methods of a professional in a field in which they are deeply interested. All IB courses fulfill CUHSD graduation or elective requirements and may earn college credit.
  • The IB Merit Scholar Certificate is designed for students who want a more involved IB program experience. Students complete coursework and exams in at least three IB courses, at least one at HL. Students will be able to blend other program course sequences with IB courses during their Junior and Senior years. Students will be able to indicate their IB Merit Scholar status on college applications, and will be recognized for their participation at the Senior Awards Ceremony.
  • The IB Diploma is a two-year, holistic curriculum for juniors and seniors. Students complete coursework in all six IB subject areas, a combination of three to four HL and two to three SL courses. In addition, students will delve into Theory of Knowledge (TOK), a course about knowledge systems; write an Extended Essay (EE), a four thousand word paper on a topic of student choice; and complete an individually crafted service learning program known as Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).  Students will be able to indicate their IB Diploma Candidate status on college applications, be recognized for their participation at the Senior Awards Ceremony, and receive a distinguished IB Diploma Cord and tassel for graduation.
 

IB Admissions
 
We believe in the credo of “IB for All” and that every student has the potential to be an IB student. All Del Mar High School Junior and Senior students are eligible and encouraged to enroll in IB courses. There is no application required to be a part of the IB Programme at Del Mar, although a student must receive a C- or better in the IB course's subject the previous year and some IB courses do require prerequisite courses to ensure success - for example, students must have successfully completed Integrated Math 3 Honors before they are eligible to enroll in IB Mathematics SL. Students and their families will need to speak with Del Mar's IB Coordinator and/or their Guidance Counselor regarding specific questions about prerequisites for specific IB courses and pathways toward earning the IB Diploma. Once a student is enrolled in a course, they must maintain a C- or better to be eligible to remain in the course and/or move on to year 2.

For more details on the Add/Drop Policy for IB Courses and how to qualify for the IB Diploma, please reference our IB Handbook.
 

IB Credit
 
Some IB courses will receive a GPA boost and university credit*.  For a list of which IB courses earn honors designation by the UCs, please visit the following website: https://hsarticulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/details/4486/. Depending on the IB score earned and individual college policy, IB scores may lead to earning college credits prior to entering the institution and/or advanced course placement, allowing students to skip a lower division course requirement. For example, the UC system awards students who complete the IB Diploma with a score of 30 or above with 30 quarter (20 semester) units toward their UC degree.  Course Candidates who earn IB certificates with scores of 5, 6 or 7 on Higher Level exams may receive 8 quarter (5.3 semester) units at some universities.
 
* Please visit individual university websites for their IB credit/advanced course placement policy.
 

How is IB Different from AP?
 
In order to offer and teach an IB Programme curriculum, a school must be authorized as an IB World School.  The IB Programme is different from other curricula because it:
  • encourages students to think critically and challenge assumptions;
  • encourages students to develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and the IBO's global community of schools;
  • encourages students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts;
  • develops multilingual students;
  • encourages students to be active in their communities and to take their learning beyond academic study.
Throughout their IB experience, students develop approaches to lifelong learning skills and embody the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.  Students are empowered to take responsibility for their own learning and educational progress, encouraged to try different approaches to learning, and challenged to understand how knowledge itself is constructed. (This is further to IB's unique Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course.)  Although each course does still culminate with external IB Exams in April-May, assessment prioritizes deeper learning rather than rote memorization as scores are partially based on individualized, portfolio-based Internal Assessments.
 

International Baccalaureate Programme Coordinator
 
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator is the point of contact for all questions related to the IB Programme, including concerns about access to classes and pathways, exam preparation and scores, and Senior recognition. If you have questions or would like more information about the IB Programme, please contact Del Mar's IB Coordinator, Ariel Dukellis, at [email protected].
 
 
 

"Can IB Be For Me?" - January 2025

Thank you for joining us for this year's IB info session on January 23, 2025. The view the event presentation, please click on the image below.
 
can ib be for me presentation jan 2025
 
 
* Disclaimer: Campbell Union High School District and Del Mar High School cannot be responsible for the content, accuracy or accessibility of external sites and documents linked on this web page. External link sites and documents are provided for reference only and are not supervised by or within the control of CUHSD or Del Mar High School.