Learn more information on the IB Program at Wooster, click here
Learn more about upcoming parent nights and middle school visits, click here
Download the IB Application form, click here
Read some IB FAQs, click here
Learn where our students are going to college and other stats, click here
View an IB promotional video in: High Quality or Low Quality
Visit the International Baccalaureate website: http://www.ibo.org/

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), a non-profit, non-governmental educational foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland, offers the IB Diploma Program for students in the final two years of secondary school. Established in 1965, the program evolved from its original purpose as a service to geographically mobile students in the international community to embrace member schools in national systems over the globe.

IB students “relate first to their own natural identity – their own language, literature, history, and cultural heritage…. Beyond that (students) identify with the corresponding traditions of others.” The organizational philosophy of the organization is found in its mission statement:

“Through comprehensive and balanced curricula coupled with challenging assessments, the International Baccalaureate Organization aims to assist schools in their endeavors to develop the individual talents of young people and teach them to relate the experience of the classroom to the realities of the world outside. Beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship, to the end that IB students may become critical and compassionate thinkers, lifelong learners and informed participants in local and world affairs, conscious of the shared humanity that binds all people together while respecting the variety of cultures and attitudes that make for the richness of life.”

In order to offer any IB course, a school must apply for acceptance by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The school must undergo a rigorous evaluation by the IBO and, after a preliminary on-site inspection and the submission of written documentation, a school may be allowed to offer the IB Program. There is an initial cost for the preliminary evaluation and an annual fee for continued participation. In order to retain their IB authorization, IB schools must be re-accredited every five (5) years.

Wooster High School is the only authorized IB World School in northern Nevada. WCSD covers the annual participation fee as well as some cost for assessment mailing to designated IB examiners throughout the world; individual students pay their own yearly per capita, registration, and test fees. All teachers in the IB Program must be and are trained certified by the IB, as part of the school's authorization agreement.

In accordance with the Rules for Authorized Schools, all IB teachers must attend approved IB training sessions to ensure that teachers of IB programs are knowledgeable of the curriculum and assessment requirements set out in the IBO subject guides.

Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups, with three subjects at higher level (HL) and three subjects at standard level (SL). HL courses represent 240 teaching hours (two years); SL courses over 150 hours (one year).

At Wooster High School, higher level courses include English, math, history, chemistry, biology, visual arts, music, and theatre arts. Students may choose from many other courses (including those in foreign language, math, chemistry, physics, biology, visual art, music and theatre arts) to meet the requirements for standard level courses. Schedules permitting, students may take additional IB courses as Extra Certificates, which do not count toward the diploma.

Students in the IB diploma program must complete three additional requirements, beyond taking courses in the six different IB subject areas:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. TOK challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought based upon analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. The key element to IBO’s educational philosophy, Theory of Knowledge seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning, which transcends and unifies the academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives.
• 
  Creativity, Action, Service is known by its acronym CAS and is a fundamental art of the diploma curriculum. The CAS requirement takes seriously the importance of life outside the world of scholarship, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the academic self-absorption some may feel within a demanding school program. Students must earn at least 50 hours in EACH of the three areas. Athletics may be used to meet the “activity” requirement; many students present plays or recitals to meet the “creativity” requirement. Participation in these activities encourages young people to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern and the ability to work cooperatively with others. The goal of educating the whole person and fostering a more compassionate citizenry comes alive in an immediate way when students reach beyond themselves and their books.
• 
  Diploma candidates are required to undertake original research and write an extended essay of some 4,000 words. This project offers the opportunity to investigate a topic interest and acquaints students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at a university.
  
  

IB exams are three to five hours in length and are taken by students in May at Wooster High School. Students write IB exams at the same time and day for each exam worldwide.

Each exam includes multiple choice and essay questions administered as separate papers, unlike individual AP subject exams. Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum), with scores of 1 or 2 considered as a “failing condition.”

The award of the diploma requires students to meet defined standards and conditions including a minimum of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of the extended essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) activities. The maximum score of 45 points includes three bonus points for an exceptional essay and work in TOK. Additional conditions apply to the awarding of the diploma, as specified by IB.

All students are encouraged to engage in the full program. Those who fail to satisfy all requirements or who elect to take exams fewer that the six required subjects may be awarded a certificate for individual examinations successfully completed.

Examinations are offered on each school campus in May. Each year approximately 77% of U.S. students who take IB exams earn a score of 4 or higher; 79% of the students who attempt the diploma earn it.

The IB diploma is recognized worldwide. Successful candidates often enter U.S. colleges as sophomores. Some colleges and universities may offer advanced standing or course credit to students with strong IB examination results. More information on specific university recognition policies is available on the IB web site at www.ibo.org.

Students from throughout Washoe County may choose to attend Wooster High School in order to participate in the IB Program. Pupils who are not in the Wooster attendance zone may attend Wooster on a special IB variance, provided they enroll in a minimum of four (4) honors baccalaureate prep (ninth and tenth grades) and IB (eleventh and twelfth) courses. Students who drop below that total may continue at Wooster on a regular variance. At the end of the eighth grade, interested students apply for acceptance into the IB Program by submitting their IB Application.

Students prepare for the rigor of IB courses by taking several Baccalaureat Prep (BP) courses in their freshman and sophomore years. At the end of the sophomore year, students may apply to the IB diploma program. During the junior and senior years, students begin the IB courses. Students are required to take any exam for which they have completed the official IB curriculum; only students who have participated in an official IB course may take the exam in that subject.

In Nevada, three high schools participate in the IB Program. Wooster High School is the only Northern Nevada high school to offer the program. Wooster High School first offered IB courses in the 1997-1998 school year. Wooster High School offers students IB courses at the Standard and Higher levels, plus the required Theory of Knowledge class. Although the IB curriculum is very distinctly defined, some courses may combine AP and IB students.

Out of the top schools in the U.S.
- Wooster HIgh School ranked #177 in the nation, and #1 in Nevada in 2010.