Mes Amis Spring 2011 - Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

campuS update
how will IB fit into the forest ridge curriculum?
8 Mes Amis Spring 2011
The IB Diploma is a complete academic “package,”
which asks the student to study in six categories of
classes, including literature, languages, social studies,
the experimental sciences, mathematics and an arts/
elective. At least three and not more than four subjects
are taken at a higher level (Hl) with greater detail; the
others, at a standard level. The Diploma Program also
has three additional core requirements intended to
broaden the educational experience and challenge
students to apply what they learn personally and in
socially meaningful ways.
These requirements include:
• A 4,000-word extended essay on the subject of the
student’s choice
The FYI on IB continued
• A course called “Theory of Knowledge” or tOK that
examines the nature of knowledge and different ways
and kinds of “knowing”
• A requirement called Creativity, Action and Service
(CAS) which requires personally and socially relevant
activity beyond the classroom and in many cases,
beyond the school
An exciting time for forest ridge
Dickinson College also looks favorably on the IB Programme. “There is an immediate
impression – a true one – that someone completing the IB diploma is pursuing a rigorous
course of study,” says David Frohman from the Dickinson College admissions office. “That
would be the presumption we would make reading applications of Forest ridge students
whether or not they were in an IB curriculum…but the IB is a clear statement of rigorous
study. The IB offers an edge, or, as I often say, is a ‘plus factor,’” Frohman adds.
Harvard University’s Director of Undergraduate Admission marilyn mcGrath lewis notes,
“IB is well known for its excellent preparation. Success in an IB Programme correlates well
with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma
Programme on the transcript.”
IB Certification, now known as IB Diploma Coursework,
will give students more flexibility by giving them
the option of choosing certain classes in certain
categories to study. Students earn an IB Certificate if they
take one or more IB classes, but not the full range of IB
classes required for the IB diploma. Students earning IB
Certificates will also take traditional Forest ridge classes
to complete the graduation requirements. At the end of
the program, they will receive a certificate indicating to
universities that they have fulfilled requirements in just
the categories they studied.
The traditional Forest ridge curriculum will still be
offered and beginning in sophomore year students may
still elect to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses that
are offered at Forest ridge: U.S. History, Chemistry,
Physics, Calculus, French, and Spanish. Students who
pursue the traditional curriculum or take some IB classes
are still required to participate in Senior Seminar (or an
IB equivalent), write a Senior Seminar paper (or the IB
equivalent) and fulfill service requirements.
As a Forest ridge parent, Karen Durham is thrilled that the school will offer an IB curriculum. “From visiting college
campuses with my graduating senior, I’ve seen the respect the IB Programme receives in college admissions offices
across the country,” she says.
“I believe that the IB Programme will give our daughters the credit they deserve for the rigorous high school
experience that Forest ridge already delivers. I am hopeful that, under this Programme, my rising 11th grader
will be well-prepared not only for college, but to lead a productive life in our global economy,” ms. Durham adds.