Can you still take electives if pursuing the full IB diploma?

[Anonymous]

DD be a freshman at an IB HS next year and wants to pursue the full IB diploma. She's also a very talented singer and wants to take choir all 4 years as well. Is this possible or would she need to take gym over the summer to free up a spot in her schedule?

I know it's early to think about this but we're making travel plans for next summer and not sure whether we need to be mindful of a potential summer school course.

Is this something we need to take into account for her freshman year? Future years?

[Anonymous]

Yes you can take electives and still pursue the IB diploma. 9th and 10th grade they have one elective slot. If you take PE over the summer, that frees up two more electives. The IB diploma does require two IB electives. My older DS took IB business and that also counted for the Personal Finance course so he knocked out that course. My younger DS did Personal Finance online in the spring of '20 when schools first closed.

The students who do band or choir end up taking Theory of Knowledge after school. I believe every FCPS IB high school will have an after school section of TOK. My youngest is currently in it at his high school. It's not ideal - he has it one day a week and it makes for one very long day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD be a freshman at an IB HS next year and wants to pursue the full IB diploma. She's also a very talented singer and wants to take choir all 4 years as well. Is this possible or would she need to take gym over the summer to free up a spot in her schedule?

I know it's early to think about this but we're making travel plans for next summer and not sure whether we need to be mindful of a potential summer school course.

Is this something we need to take into account for her freshman year? Future years?

Yes, she can still fit in choir but please have her do PE over the summer no matter what. It really does help to free up that slot in the schedule for the regular school year.

My DD was in orchestra all four years and would have been even if she hadn't done summer PE. But, again --knock out that PE in summer anyway. Otherwise, it sucks up a class slot that really is better used for other things, not just for IB students, but for any student.

And while some IB classes might start as early as sophomore year, most will be junior and senior year, OP. Have you and your DD been to see the school's IB coordinator(s) yet? I'd schedule a talk with them if you have specfiic questions about fitting things in. And be sure to attend the high school's spring information night about IB -- most every IB HS has an information night where you will get a ton of information, hear presentations and maybe have a chance to ask questions. But also don't hesitate to talk to (and have DD talk to!) the coordinators. This is why they're there.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Kid is at Robinson now doing full IB diploma and band.

[Anonymous]

My Robinson kid did full IB and drama every year.