Skyline IB Policies & FAQs

FAQs

What is IB?
IB (International Baccalaureate) was developed in 1968 as a college preparatory program for internationally mobile students aged 16-19. Schools in seven cities, including New York, Beirut, Copenhagen, Geneva, Teheran, Manchester, and Glamorgan, Wales, piloted the program. Most of the first schools to offer IB were private international schools, but today over half of schools offering IB are public schools. Today the diploma program is offered in over 2,000 schools worldwide and taught in three languages, English, French and Spanish. The IB program is big internationally and is growing in the United States. IB programs have been recognized and praised by admissions officers at a variety of prestigious colleges and universities. Christoph Guttentag, Director of admissions at Duke University, has stated that "one of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It's a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the curriculum is terrific." According to Jim Crowder, Director of admissions at Macalester College, "the IB offers an integrated curriculum that provides students with the skill needed to be world-class scholars, and an educational philosophy that prepares them to be first-class citizens. I do not know of a more comprehensive and appropriate learning model." 

Why does Skyline choose to offer the IB Programme?
The core team that developed Skyline High School before it opened in 1997 decided to become an IB school because the IB program and philosophy fit well with the goals the team had for Skyline. The interdisciplinary nature of the program, the emphasis on international-mindedness, and the diploma program’s emphasis on the whole student were the aspects of the program the core team felt would be a valuable fit for Skyline.

Why IB?
IB courses provide students with the opportunity to do college preparatory work that is measured against an international standard. There are studies that show that students taking one or more IB classes and assessments are twice as likely to graduate from college on time as those students that did not take these challenging classes. The feedback we have received from colleges and universities in the region has indicated that Skyline IB students arrive at college very well prepared. The IB program also provides students with a peer-supported learning community where scholarship is highly valued.

What makes IB unique?
Most significantly, IB's uniqueness is defined by the organization's mission statement:
"The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."

What is the IB Career Programme?
The Career Programme allows students with a career focus who are also interested in taking some challenging pre-college coursework to earn a certification from IB. Students take a two-year career sequence of courses. They also take and complete assessments for a minimum of two IB courses, one of which must be a two-year course (either an HL subject or Math SL). In addition, they complete the IB Career Programme Core, which consists of the Personal and Professional Skills course, World Language Development, Service Learning, and a Reflective Project.

What is the IB Diploma Programme?
The Diploma Programme aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge -- students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. In addition, students study at least two languages, excel in traditional academic subjects, and explore the nature of knowledge through the program's unique theory of knowledge course. It is aimed at students in the final two years of high school. Diploma students take six subjects, usually one from each subject group, write a 4,000-word extended essay, complete a two-year program of Creativity, Activity and Service and take the Theory of Knowledge course. The Diploma is well-recognized by universities around the world.

How is the IB Diploma Programme different than other programs?
The IB Diploma is the most comprehensive, rigorous, and assessed high school diploma available in the world today. The Theory of Knowledge course, the 4,000-word extended essay research paper, the CAS requirement of a two-year program of creativity, activity, and community service during 11th and 12th grades, the two-year commitment to six areas of study, plus the assessments scored using international standards make the IB unique.

What subjects and exams do IB Diploma students need to take?
Students can take individual IB classes and earn a score for each class (passing equals 3 or above) or can be IB Diploma students, which is a more comprehensive 2-year program for juniors and seniors. Diploma Program students generally take six examinations, including one language and literature course taught in the student's native language (at Skyline that's English), one language acquisition course, one social science, one experimental science, and one mathematics course. The sixth subject can be an arts course or a second social science, a second experimental science, or a third language. Students take their examinations at the end of the two-year diploma program; students may take up to two of their examinations at the end of the first year of the diploma program.

What are the IB assessments?
A student's IB score for each subject is based on a compilation of scores earned through a variety of assessments. Every student enrolled in an IB class participates in this system through the internal assessments. These include oral commentaries, portfolios, projects, essays, and research projects. Students receive a Skyline grade as well as an IB grade for this work. We submit IB grades and student work samples requested by IB to the IB examiners. This is done to moderate the teachers' grading so as to be certain that our teachers are correctly using the IB grading standards and that our scores are aligned internationally.

The final step in the assessment process is the final examinations, held in May each year. Once completed, we mail the exams to a scanning center, and they are then available for scoring by examiners throughout the world. The IB examiners are experts in each subject area. The exam scores are combined with the scores from the other assessment components for the determination of the final grade, 1 (low) to 7 (high). 

How does a student achieve the IB Diploma?
Courses are either standard level (one year of study (two for Math)), followed by the IB exam or higher level (two years of study (three for Math)) followed by the IB exam. IB Diploma students must take at least 3 higher level courses (a student takes either a standard level or higher-level course and exam, but not both levels in the same subject). Students must earn at least 24 points (based on exam scores of 1 to 7 and their extended essay and TOK scores) to receive an IB Diploma. At Skyline, only juniors and seniors are eligible to take IB exams, and only seniors are eligible to take Higher Level exams. All IB Diploma students must also take the Theory of Knowledge course. 

Who is the typical IB student?
IB honors diversity, but what the students tend to have in common is their love of learning and their high level of motivation.

Can a student be in the IB program and be in sports, music, and other extracurricular activities?
Many of our IB students are involved in either sports or other extracurricular activities such as band, scouting, church groups, outside music, dance lessons, etc. Some of our most successful students are our busiest. Success in the IB program depends upon the student's ability to manage his/her time, set priorities, and follow through with commitments.

How much homework is involved in the program?
The average is three hours a night, but it varies. Students frequently have homework over the weekends, and during certain times of the school year will have more or less homework depending on the courses they are enrolled in as well as the nature of assignments required for those courses.

If my student doesn't take a world language in 7th or 8th grade, is that a problem?
No. A student will be prepared to take the IB World Language exam if he/she starts in 9th grade. However, beginning language in middle school may give a student more flexibility in building a Diploma plan as a junior and senior.

Why take the same world language for four years?
To develop fluency and to become proficient in all aspects of the second language, at least four years of study are necessary. Four years is also the minimum number of years a student needs to be successful on the IB assessments at SL and HL level. Learning at least one other language is part of a responsible program of international education and can provide great opportunities later in life.

Can I take the World Language Proficiency exam in place of an IB course or an IB Exam?
No. IB requires students to study prescribed curriculum and participate in the required IB assessments.

Am I allowed to take 4 HL subjects?
Yes. For the IB Diploma, students may take 3 or 4 courses at the HL level.

How does SHS support students electing to participate in IB?
The IB program at Skyline has a strong support system. Our IB Coordinator helps students manage their course selection, necessary paperwork, and serve as a sounding board and resource for all IB Diploma Course, Career Programme, and Diploma Programme students. The Skyline Counseling staff are knowledgeable about the IB program and support students through the course selection and college application process. Our IB teachers are IB trained and are sensitive to the pressures that students sometimes feel in response to demanding coursework. Our paramount concerns center on creating a productive learning environment and creating a supportive community of learners. 

How will students benefit from being a part of the IB program?
Students will be better prepared for university studies. As the IB curriculum is based on the inquiry model encouraging students to become independent thinkers, students will also have attained a higher level of critical thinking which will help them be responsible contributors to society. Being prepared for the rigorous academics of college is the single most important benefit of participation in the IB program. Many universities report that IB prepares students well for college work. Most colleges also offer credit for successful final course marks in IB courses.

What are the requirements for acceptance?
Students do not need to test into or apply for the IB program. Students and parents decide together what is the best path for the student. We strongly urge parents to have earnest conversations with their student(s) about what educational coursework is a best fit for their child's learning styles, personal interests and longer-term goals. One IB program choice (Course, Career, Diploma) is not inherently better than any other IB program choice. It is also very important to work with the school counselor assigned to you to develop a meaningful pathway leading up to any level of involvement in IB coursework. Current teachers might be helpful in advising students about course selection as well. IB information nights are also scheduled in January and February for parents and students to learn about the program. Please look at the home page for the Skyline IB Program or call the Main Office for these dates.

Can we enroll in Skyline's IB program if we don't live in the attendance area?
Students wishing to enroll in Skyline's IB program must follow the regular timeline published by the Issaquah School District for intra-district transfers, citing that they want to do the IB Diploma program (they must be a diploma student*, not just taking courses.) It depends on the year whether or not students are admitted, as we serve those students in our attendance area first. If students are coming from out of the district, they should follow the district's timeline for inter-district transfers. They may also have to get permission from the district they are exiting. Inter-district transfers are difficult to come by, especially as our student numbers grow.
*If admitted as an IB Diploma student, the student must continue to pursue the IB Diploma. If he or she chooses not to at some point, including during senior year, we ask the student to return to the home school.

How does Skyline's IB program compare with other IB programs throughout the world?
Our students consistently score at or above the world average in most subject areas SHS offers. We work hard with our students to prepare them for every aspect of IB assessment and to provide them with a solid foundation for university level studies.

How do IB classes compare with AP classes?
IB and AP courses both feature college level curriculum. IB uses international standards of excellence; AP uses national standards of excellence. IB also offers a "full diploma" program; AP allows students to take one or more courses which are not connected. IB Higher Level exams and many Standard Level exams at some universities are recognized for college credit; AP exams are also recognized for college credit. IB has an oral component in a number of classes; AP has an oral component in World Language only. IB Diploma students prepare for exams in all areas; AP students generally choose AP exams in their area of strength. IB typically values depth over breadth. IB assessments are more varied and comprehensive, assessing students in a more holistic way than AP assessments. The IB curriculum is designed on the inquiry model emphasizing critical thinking and growing independence within each discipline, as students learn to do the discipline rather than simply learning content. IB students not only excel in academic courses and perform well on international tests; they also develop into contributors to the community and independent thinkers and learners.

Colleges generally recognize AP and IB courses as being on par, although American colleges are generally more familiar with the AP curriculum. The extent to which colleges will give credit or placement varies among colleges, but generally if they accept AP scores (usually a score of at least 3 out of 5), then they also accept IB scores (usually a score of at least 4 out of 7). For example, if a college will give credit for a score of 4 on an AP exam, it will also give credit for a score of 5 or 6 on an IB exam. Some colleges will not give credit for AP and IB exams but will allow students to place out of lower-level classes.

Whether to take AP exams, be an IB Diploma or Career student, or be an IB Diploma program course student taking individual classes and earning certificates needs to be a matter of student preference, interest, and learning style. Some students who have taken both AP and IB classes feel that AP courses are geared more to learning the facts, and IB courses are geared more to analyzing the facts.

Do IB Diploma students have the same graduation requirements as other students?
If a student fulfills all IB Diploma requirements and sits for the full IB Diploma, that student is eligible to have some Skyline High School graduation requirements waived under a law passed on April 29, 2011 by the Washington State legislature. This law states that students who have earned the IB Diploma have satisfied District graduation requirements, with the exception of Northwest Studies, US History, Civics, and a High School and Beyond plan. For each IB course, the student must successfully pass ALL components of the Skyline course, including IB Internal Assessments.  Failure to complete all components of the IB Diploma and to sit for all six exams in good faith will result in the nullification of any waivers and will require the student to complete all Issaquah School District graduation requirements.

Students are responsible for being aware of, and completing, college and university entrance requirements at schools to which they intend to apply.  Close scrutiny of each college's or university's entrance requirements is vigorously encouraged.

Is it possible to take an IB course in a particular subject area and take (and do well on) the AP exam in the same subject area?
Anyone is allowed to sign up and take AP exams. However, students who are not currently taking an IB course may not take an IB exam.

AP exams are the culminating event of an AP course. Because of the breadth and depth of learning in IB courses, with AP exam review, the IB student might perform well on certain AP exams; however, our teachers are not trained by the College Board and the curricula are not aligned, nor is it the responsibility of SHS teachers to support those students electing to take AP exams (review books for AP exams are commercially available as are private tutors). Moreover, please recognize that students can only use one exam to claim college credit. Taking the AP and IB exam for a subject where a college will accept either exam score for credit is a waste of financial resource and adds unneeded stress to a student's experience for little to no gain. For those families electing to take AP exams, please keep in mind the additional stress this can create for students not only at exam time but throughout the year. Also, be aware that the AP and IB Exam calendars coincide, and it will not be possible for IB students to reschedule an IB exam to take an AP exam.

All Skyline-based grades and transcripts must be requested through Parchment via the SHS Counseling website.

All IB exam grades are reported to the college of your choosing during the year you graduate. Forms for requesting results services are made available to students during the May exam period.

IB Predicted Grades (sometimes required for international schools) will be processed according to the SHS IB Predicted Grades Policy: 

• It is the policy of Skyline High School to support those students applying to non-US universities by providing the requested IB predicted grades. All IB Predicted Grades requests should be routed through the IB Coordinator and should include the requisite university form and/or process for submittal of those grades. Under no circumstances will IB Predicted Grades be provided directly to students and/or their parents. And, under no circumstances will IB Predicted grades be provided to colleges and universities that ask for this data as an optional reporting measure of student performance. Please allow ample lead time for any request of IB Predicted Grades.