International Baccalaureate

It is recommended that students take the following courses to prepare for IB study:

• Honors Biology (to be prepared for IB Biology SL)
• Honors Chemistry (to be prepared for IB Chemistry SL or HL)
• Spanish 3 (to be prepared for Spanish 4 and IB Spanish)
• Geometry and Algebra II (to be prepared for IB Math Studies or IB Math SL)
• Honors English 9 & 10 (to be prepared for IB Literature HL)
• Art & Design (to be prepared for IB Visual Art SL or HL)

The IBDP is a rigorous and challenging academic program. Historically, students with a 3.0 GPA or higher are the most successful in the full IBDP. However, we don’t want GPA to be a barrier to student participation if they are determined and motivated. Therefore, if a student does not have an 3.0 GPA, we ask that they receive a recommendation from their teachers in all classes where their course grade is lower than a B.

Students who do not have Algebra II completed by the end of their Sophomore year need to take Algebra II online over the summer in order to be prepared for an IB Math course. This can be arranged with the IB counselor, Janet Frank.

Students who do not meet the minimum language requirement of three years of Spanish experience can enroll in an online Spanish course through our online partners, Pamoja. The cost of this course is covered by the school, with the expectation that the student remains in the full IB Diploma Programme for the duration of the year.

Elective spaces are very limited for IB students, as they have 6 mandatory courses they must take, which locks in the schedule. Students in their Junior year have one elective space in both trimester 1 and trimester 2, and students in their Senior year have one elective space during all three trimesters.

IB classes at Adrian run for either one year, or two. Typically, students take the most IB classes during their junior year, and complete one or two SL courses, which allows for increased focus on their two-year HL courses.

Successful students in the IB Program are students who...

• Are interested in going to university when they graduate
• Are willing to work hard and accept challenges
• Are self motivated
• Have good time management skills

After two years in the IB Diploma Programme, students are eligible for their diploma if they meet the following minimum requirements:

• 24 minimum overall
• 12 points from their three (or more) HL classes
• No 1s
• Only two 2s (or less)
• No failed TOK or Extended Essay
• Completed CAS

Students are not automatically awarded credit at their universities for completing their classes at Adrian High School. Instead, it is the composite score they receive in their IB course that aligns with the universities’ credit policies. The scores range between a 7 and a 1. This score is a composite score of both submitted work that is externally graded by the IB; work that is internally graded by teachers at Adrian High School, but moderated by the IB; and exams that the students take in the spring.

Most commonly, schools will give credit for scores 5 and higher, if they are in HL courses. Some schools will allow students to progress to a higher level class if they had an SL course.

The students who select the full IB Diploma Programme are often students who are smart and engaged students. However, the IB DP is the most rigorous academic opportunity offered at Adrian High School, so many students find that in past courses, they could get A’s with only a middling effort, but that accomplishing an A in an IB class required additional time and intellectual energy. Similarly, with additional academic challenges, students find that they need to learn how to manage their time more efficiently.

Adrian High School covers the full cost of the IB DP exams. However, if students choose to not complete the requirements or exams, they will be asked to reimburse the school for the cost of registration and the cost of the exams.