International Baccalaureate

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International Baccalaureate at  Capital High School

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a rigorous, college preparatory option intended to enhance the international perspective of students as well as to get them ready for college. Established in 1967, the IB now has more than 4500 schools in 75 countries, including 60 schools in the Pacific Northwest region.

The IB program at Capital High School begins officially in the 11th grade and students can participate in the program at a number of different levels. The first option is simply to take IB classes without officially registering with IB. A second option is to be a COURSE CANDIDATE, officially registering with the IB to take the culminating exams in the subjects the student chooses. The third and most distinguished option is to register with the IB as a DIPLOMA CANDIDATE. To achieve the goal of an IB diploma, a student will need to test in at least 3 higher level (2 years of study) subjects. At CHS all IB subjects except Math Studies and Psychology may be taken at the HL level. Finally, the diploma candidate will also complete an extended essay, CAS (creativity, action, service) hours, and take a class in the Theory of Knowledge. The awarding of an IB diploma is then determined by the number of points the student has achieved in completing all of these requirements.

NOTE: IB diploma candidates may be allowed to waive certain state requirements, e.g., Occ Ed or 2nd year of PE, if - and only if - they complete and pass all required IB assessments and courses, successfully complete the CHS High School and Beyond Plan, earn all credits required by the Olympia School District, meet CAA/CIA requirements established by Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, meet standards on the required assessments as established by OSPI and have a full schedule every year at CHS which precludes them from taking their OCC ED and 2nd year of PE during the regular school day. However, students are encouraged to fulfill their OCC Ed requirement via the Biology CTE course offered at CHS, and to meet the 2nd year PE requirement via participation in a sport at CHS. Students who fail to meet these specified requirements or leave the program prior to completion will be required to fulfill state minimum requirements before being allowed to graduate.

For more information about the IB program at Capital High School, visit the school IB Web page or contact Ken Joling, IB Coordinator, at 360-596-8238 or [email protected].