IB versus zoned high school

[Anonymous]

We're DC area transplants to Chesapeake, VA. My 8th grader is consider applying to the district's IB program for HS which would be in a different HS from the zoned home high school. Zoned school is well regarded and offers many honors and AP classes. IB program would involve more transportation and logistics issues but is doable. Comparing these two options is there any advantage in terms of college admission between IB and doing AP and honors at the home school (assuming child is accepted to the IB program)? Wondering if it would be worth the added drive. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

This is a good question that will be relevant to Loudoun soon as well... since there be two high schools with IB programs (although admissions will be based on lottery and I believe transportation will be provided).

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader is applying for Governor's school, but they applied for IB diploma program out of our zone as well. Their first choice is Governor's school, but if they don't make it, we'll decide if IB is worth extra work and commute.

Does Chesapeake have a Governor's school? I believe it is competitive everywhere you go in VA, but at least where we live, it sounded it is better funded and better run program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're DC area transplants to Chesapeake, VA. My 8th grader is consider applying to the district's IB program for HS which would be in a different HS from the zoned home high school. Zoned school is well regarded and offers many honors and AP classes. IB program would involve more transportation and logistics issues but is doable. Comparing these two options is there any advantage in terms of college admission between IB and doing AP and honors at the home school (assuming child is accepted to the IB program)? Wondering if it would be worth the added drive. Thanks!

Don't do it. High school is tough, doesn't need added less time and more commute. Its a good program but not worth stressing out student and family and by association siblings.

[Anonymous]

No difference in college admissions, AP is more flexible so better.

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about your school district's IB, but just wanted to say that my kid did a non test-in IB in our in bounds high school. Parts of the IB program were not a great fit for her, and I am glad she stayed with her friends and was able to drop the parts of the IB program that weren't a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're DC area transplants to Chesapeake, VA. My 8th grader is consider applying to the district's IB program for HS which would be in a different HS from the zoned home high school. Zoned school is well regarded and offers many honors and AP classes. IB program would involve more transportation and logistics issues but is doable. Comparing these two options is there any advantage in terms of college admission between IB and doing AP and honors at the home school (assuming child is accepted to the IB program)? Wondering if it would be worth the added drive. Thanks!

Don't do it. High school is tough, doesn't need added less time and more commute. Its a good program but not worth stressing out student and family and by association siblings.

+1. This is the best reason. Beyond that, IB is good but not great for all. I work in an IB school and teach IB classes. My own children do not attend an IB school since I find schools with AP classes provide more options. Some schools provide both but I would not change schools to have access to IB over AP.

[Anonymous]

My kid graduated with an IB diploma last June. Its a good program, and I think it prepares you well to succeed in college, perhaps better than an AP-intensive program. This is because of the emphasis on writing, which permeates all of the classes. That having been said, its a lot of work, and in our experience at least, didn't seem to offer any particular advantages when it came to college admissions.