IB Middle Years Program (MYP) ?
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Anonymous
| Does anyone have experience with this, apparently offered at middle schools in IB pyramids? |
Anonymous
|
I would love to hear this info as well. Being in the AAP program, I know we have good options with both AP or IB coming up. I have heard that IB is the more robust program with truly learning how to write and being well prepared for the real world. I have also heard that although AP was more accepted credit wise in colleges that now IB is close or almost just as accepted for credits.
Thanks for any information. |
Anonymous
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FYI, here is a recent list of National Merit Semifinalists at FCPS schools: http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=2605
193 went to AP schools, and 12 went to IB schools. Even if you exclude the 129 students at TJ, which has AP and more advanced courses, but no IB, you'd have 64 students from AP schools and 12 from IB schools. 12 out of 205 National Merit Semifinalists is underwhelming when you consider that (1) almost 1/3 of FCPS high school students attend IB schools now and (2) NMSFs are based primarily on the critical reading and writing scores (2/3 of the total) not math scores (1/3 of the total). You would think IB schools would be better represented if IB was superior at teaching critical reading and writing skills. In any event, the MYP is not necessary to get an IB diploma in HS. The main goal of the MYP program is to get the students on the IB bandwagon sooner and increase the odds they'll pursue an IB diploma. |
Anonymous
| If your middle school is not an IB school/pyramid, can you still do this program (by transferring, like you can to be placed at an IB high school)? I really like the sound of it but it's not offered at our MS at this point. |
Anonymous
|
Are IB Classes Better than AP Classes?
by CollegeBound Staff First, IB stands for International Baccalaureate -- an advanced high school diploma program -- and more and more American students are climbing aboard to separate themselves from the admissions pack. But while graduating with an IB diploma is impressive in the European world where it originated, it's relatively new in America. Thus the question: Is becoming an IB student worth the extra effort? Background: The IB program was created in 1968 in an effort to establish a common curriculum for students moving from one country to another. What it has become is an advanced, rigorous set of courses (similar to AP), in which students are tested at the end of their senior year to see if they qualify for an IB diploma. In many cases (it varies from school to school), students who pass six exams can enter college as a sophomore, foregoing freshman-year core classes. Did that get your attention? What it entails: The Diploma Programme -- a rigorous pre-university course of studies for highly motivated high schoolers that leads to exams -- is a comprehensive two-year curriculum (think honors classes to the 10th power!). So while your buddies will be taking the usual high school course fare, you'll be studying world literature, philosophy, and other subject matters usually reserved for the college classroom. Is it more work? Yes -- a lot more. If you don't pass all six IB exams to earn the diploma, however, you can earn credits for individual courses. Is it worth it? If your high school offers IB classes, start by researching how your choice colleges award credit. By logging on to IBO.org, you can read each participating college's policy. Example: The State University of New York at Binghamton awards students who earn an IB diploma and meet score requirements with 32 credits (that's the equivalent of freshman year!). If IB is an option for you, speak to your guidance counselor for more information about getting into the program. - See more at: http://www.collegebound.net/article/v/19128/are-ib-classes-better-than-ap-classes-/#sthash.rMOJ7tpx.dpuf More: Here are some of the difference between AP and IB. Many students take both. http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2014/09/02/discover-the-difference-between-ap-and-ib-classes College 101 comparison between AP, IB and honors: http://www.shmoop.com/college/ap-vs-honors-vs-ib.html |
Anonymous
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Yes you can transfer. We're slated to go to Lake Braddock, great school, which is why we bought our house where we did. However it's AP and not IB. Robinson is the IB school and has the MYP there as well. We've already spoken to them and yes you can pupil place for the program. It's in year 3 of 5 for transitioning to the MYP.
More importantly, I'm not sure what to do for 7/8. Is is better to stay in AAP or switch to MYP? I too agree that I want to go the IB route, think kids learn a lot more in a broader way. My child is also very STEM focused which although great, I don't think FCPS does a great job at writing and I'd like for him to be more balanced. Not to say that he couldn't obviously still do STEM but just want there to be more essays (versus bubble filling) and true international experience. It's kind of like which test is better - the SAT or ACT? Used to be SAT for two specific areas but ACT is more well rounded and increasing in popularity. At the end of the day, either one is fine 
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Anonymous
| Unfortunately, in FCPS, kids can't mix and match AP and IB courses like the students at the Nashville school profiled in the US News article. |
Anonymous
More room at Lake Braddock for the kids at Annandale and Robinson preferring AP to IB (although quite a few Robinson kids want to stay at LB after they've already done AAP there). You do know the insinuation that AP is just bubble-filling marks you as having fallen for the IB marketing machine. Make sure you know how many kids actually get IB diplomas at your school. There is a lot of hoopla about the "holistic" approach of IB, which largely falls by the wayside when kids bail on the diploma program and just take a few IB classes. |
Anonymous
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That stinks that you can't take classes in both - would seem to be a simple solution to those wanting to have some of each.
Not sure the full diploma is necessary - I think just taking each class at face value and getting the deeper understanding is great. It's a tough choice. I think if you want credit and want to go through college faster AP is better. For a true deeper understanding, learning and writing maybe IB. Good thing we still have two years. Although I believe you need to apply by April for the next school year. Maybe some things will change by then. |
Anonymous
The reality is that what matters most is taking classes with smart peers, whether AP or IB. If the kids are bright, there will be more time for the teacher to explore the nuances of the subject matter and acquire this so-called "true deeper understanding." Otherwise, the teachers have to focus on making sure the kids have learned the basic material. |
Anonymous
| MYIBP doe not equal advanced classes necessarily. it's a school wide program at this and the Primary Years level, and there are no special classes as it is integrated across all classes. We were at a MYIBP school in FCPS and it touched all of my son's classes, but he was in the same level of courses as at the next MS over, which wasn't an IB MS. |
Anonymous
| 15:41, what did you (and your son) think of the program? I'd love to hear first-hand thoughts! |
Anonymous
Who did you talk to? I was in a total panic this January over where my DC would go this fall. I was told it wasn't a sure reason, but we could attempt the request for my then rising 7th grader. I know each situation is different. We are level IV AAP & DC's foreign language is not taught at our base AAP middle school. Very happy with where we currently are, and will post-pone IB/AAP thought till at least this time next year and deal with the TJ test/IB/AAP choice later. |
Anonymous
| Hmm, I've got a rising 7th grader now and would like to place into an IB/MYP middle school for 7th and 8th. How many of you have done this successfully (or have tried but not been able to)? |
Anonymous
FCPS policy does not formally allow transfers to a different middle school for a curricular program. But you can always ask. It might be tougher at a middle school like Glasgow or Hughes that also has AAP and is crowded than at a school like Key or Poe that does not. |