VVS and the IB Program

Learning at VVS IB Program VVS Academic Program VVS Faculty Accreditation College Counseling Program VVS School Profile	THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year curriculum that leads to a high school diploma that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. IB students learn to think creatively, globally, and independently – all goals that are congruent with Verde Valley School’s historical mission. In grades 11 and 12, students study six subjects selected from the six subject groups over a two-year period. Normally three subjects are studied at higher levels (courses representing 240 teaching hours), and the remaining three subjects are studied at standard levels (courses representing 150 teaching hours). TO EARN THE IB DIPLOMA, STUDENTS COMPLETE THESE THREE ACTIVITIES (IN ADDITION TO THE SIX SUBJECT AREAS) These three parts of the core curriculum – Extended Essay; Theory Of Knowledge (TOK); and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)– are central to the philosophy of the IB program. EXTENDED ESSAY: The extended essay of 4,000 words offers the student the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest, and acquaints him or her with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (TOK): The interdisciplinary TOK course is designed to provide coherence by exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines, encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives. CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE (CAS): The CAS program encourages each student to become involved in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service work. This program fosters in each student an awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena. ADVANTAGES OF THE IB PROGRAM There are many advantages for students who earn the IB diploma as well as for those who participate in an IB curriculum. For one, its world-class academic standards are accepted throughout the world at selective universities, making it a passport to higher education. Universities around the world welcome the unique characteristics of students who have earned an IB diploma and recognize the way in which the program helps to prepare students for university-level education. IB students routinely gain admission to some of the most prestigious universities in the world, most of which have established recognition policies for the IB diploma. An added benefit to IB status is the advanced training offered to both new and experienced teachers. All VVS faculty members who teach the IB courses have completed IB training.	If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Andy Gill, Academic and IB Coordinator. Smith College will award a full year of college credit to a student who earns an IB Diploma and receives scores of 5, 6, or 7 on each examination. Princeton University recognizes the IB and uses examination results for advanced placement purposes only. A score of 6 or 7 on the higher level examinations is normally accorded advanced placement recognition. Consider these comments from Admission Deans throughout the country: IB is well known to us for excellent preparation. Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript. —Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Undergraduate Admission Harvard University One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific. —Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admission Duke University I have always been a supporter of the International Baccalaureate. It is a thoughtful and genuinely intellectual curriculum with an unusually high degree of integrity and connectedness. There is no other curriculum anywhere that does a superior job of both educating students and inspiring a true and broad-based love of learning. —William Shain, Former Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Vanderbilt University 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. —Jim Crowder, Director of Admissions Macalester College We have seen that IB students embrace the rigorous academic challenges of university life and perform well in their McGill programs. As a member of the College and University Recognition Taskforce, I can attest to the respected position of the IB diploma at prestigious universities throughout North America. —Kim Bartlett, Director of Admissions McGill University Overall, IB students receive a significant number of transfer credits (30-45 credits at Florida’s Public colleges and universities and sophomore standing at many others) For more information on the IB Program, click here. The IB diploma is welcomed by universities around the world. For more information on the IB program and university recognition, please click here.
Verde Valley School 3511 Verde Valley School Rd. Sedona, AZ 86351 P: 928.284.2272 F: 928.284.0432

THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM

ADVANTAGES OF THE IB PROGRAM