IB Programme

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IB Programme
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Johnson High School is excited to offer students a rigorous, challenging and well-rounded educational experience with an emphasis on internationalism through our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. With our country’s and community’s economies becoming more global in perspective, we feel that our students should not only recognize the importance of understanding one’s own community, but also communities around the world. The programme is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills be successful in high school, college and life.

IB Diploma Programme Curriculum

The curriculum for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is prescribed. Students must meet the IB DP requirements to receive the IB Diploma at the end of their two years of study. The IB curriculum is divided into six categories. The IB courses offered at JHS are:

	IB Categories	IB Courses Offered at JHS
Group 1	Student's Best Language	English HL*
Group 2	Modern Language	Spanish B SL/HL, Spanish ab initio
Group 3	Individuals and Societies	History of the Americas HL*
Group 4	Experimental Sciences	Biology SL, Chemistry SL, Physics SL
Group 5	Mathematics	Mathematics SL, Mathematical Studies SL
Group 6	Arts & Electives	Visual Arts HL, Psychology HL, IB Theatre Arts HL

*English HL and History of the Americas HL are required courses.

For students’ junior and senior years, they will choose one course from each of the six groups. Of those courses, three must be at the standard level and three must be at the higher level. Students can make their selection of courses based on their academic strengths and interests. The standard level courses and higher level courses are both rigorous in nature. The higher level courses expand upon the curriculum offered at the standard level and typically requires one or more additional internal and/or external assessments.

Core Elements of the IB Diploma Programme

To help students prepare for the expectations of college and become aware of the positive influence they can have on their own community, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme also requires three core elements.

Extended Essay	A culminating research paper designed to teach students how to independently research topics, much like those they will be exposed to at the college/university level
Theory of Knowledge	An interdisciplinary course that enables students to reflect critically on the question of “How do we know what we know?”
Creativity, Action & Service	Through creative activities, sports, volunteerism, etc., students build confidence in themselves while improving their communities (IBO requires 150 hours of service over students’ junior and senior years)